Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2023

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

800

2023

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

23120

2024

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

800

2024

Muskellunge

Adult

603

2024

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

24323

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The bluegill and redear sunfish populations were not sampled in 2023. The current bluegill and redear condition is of a poor state with a poor growth rate. The competition with the gizzard shad and carp have maintained this growth slowdown.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

The channel catfish population was sampled by 3 fish in 2023. These fish ranged in size from 13.1 to 24.7 inches and were in good body condition. A low density population is present and an annual stocking of 800 fish is scheduled. In 2012, 684 fish were stocked at 8 to 10 inches long. 527 in 2013 and 800 in 2014, 2015 and 2016. 513 fish were stocked in 2017. 657 fish were stocked in 2018. 560 fish were stocked in 2019. 1003 fish were stocked in 2020. 1596 fish were stocked in 2021. And 800 fish were stocked in 2022 and 2023.

CRAPPIE

Average

In 2023, 5 stock-size black crappie were sampled. No white crappie were sampled in 2023. The body condition of both populations had decreased over the last 6 years. In 2018 the crappie harvest regulation changed to a harvest limit of 25 fish per day with only 10 fish over 10 inches allowed. Anglers should be able to concentrate on crappie with the flooded brush providing excellent habitat.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

In 2023, a spring trap net survey and a fall D.C. electrofishing survey was used to evaluate the fish population. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 105 stock-size bass from electrofishing with 123 minutes of effort. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 6 to 19 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2000, the bass regulation for the Marsh was changed from a 14 inch minimum size limit and 1 fish per day - to a 12 to 18 inch protected slot length with a harvest of 3 fish under or over the slot per day. The 2023 electrofishing survey indicated a size structure that has maintained a consistent level since 2007. The goal of the protected slot length limit was to create a high density bass population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the high density of slow growing panfish and the rough fish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 14 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to harvest more fish.

MUSKELLUNGE

Very Good

The muskie population was sampled by a total of 21 stock size muskie by the spring of 2023 trap net survey (1.3 fish per net night) and 4 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 25.9 to 48 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good. In 2001, a total of 2,174 muskie at an average size of 11.4 inches were stocked, in 2002, 725 muskie at an average size of 10.9 inches were stocked and in 2003, 1333 muskie at an average size of 10 inches were stocked into Johnson Lake. No muskie were stocked in 2004, but 600 at 10 inches long were annually from 2005 through 2014. No muskie were stocked in 2015 or 2016. In 2017, 602 fish at 12.4 inches were stocked. No muskie were stocked in 2020 due to COVID-19 hatchery production and brood fish collection. In 2021, a stocking of 5,570 fish at 3 inches long occurred on 6/3/2021 and a stocking of 738 fish at 13 inches occurred on 9/7/2021. A triennial stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie.

WALLEYE

Average

In 2023, the walleye population was sampled by 3 fish in 16 net nights of effort (.19 fish per net night). These fish ranged from 25.6 to 28 inches long. The body condition of these fish was very good. At this time, the stocking of 2" walleye may have variable recruitment to the lake’s walleye population. Several factors have probably contributed to this variability, including the increased density and size structure of the bass population and the esocid population and the small size of the walleye being stocked. The bass in particular, and maybe the esocids, are probably out competing and also eating the small walleye being stocked. In 2016 through 2022, over 24,000 walleye at 1.5 inches were stocked each year. In 2023, 23,120 fish at 1.9 inches long were stocked.

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