Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2024

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

32816

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLACK CRAPPIE

Good

Black crappie are the more dominant species in East Fork Lake and their population appeared to be doing well. Average black crappie body condition declined, but it remained above the management target. Black crappie electrofishing catch rates remained high and the majority of the fish were between 8” – 10”. Approximately 37% of the adult black crappie collected in 2023 exceeded 9” long and only 5% exceeded 10” long. If growth rates remain good, the size structure of the populations should improve further in the coming years. Most angler catches in 2024 are likely to be white and black crappie in the 8” – 9.5” range weighing 0.2 – 0.4 pounds, with some larger white crappie exceeding 10” and 0.5 pounds.

BLUEGILL

Good

The bluegill population structure remained fair and consistent with recent trends. Electrofishing catch rates increased and remained high at 249 per hour. Average bluegill body condition fell below the lake management target. There was another slight decrease in the number of bluegill greater than 7” (RSD-7=11) and the number of bluegill exceeding 8” remained low at just under 1% of adult bluegill sampled. Angling for bluegill in the coming year should be good with most keepers 5” – 7” in length and 0.10 – 0.25 pounds.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Improving

Catfish numbers have improved in recent years due to stocking efforts, but overall numbers have remained low in East Fork Lake. Average body condition remained good and above target. Most fish in 2024 will range from 18” – 24” and 2 – 4 pounds, with larger fish approaching 10 pounds. This lake provides good bank fishing opportunities and drift fishing the main lake is also very productive.

CRAPPIE

Good

The white crappie population structure remained good. The average body condition for all sizes of white crappie remained above target. The percentage of white crappie over 10” in length improved to 43%, while approximately 71% of white crappie exceeded 9” in length. If growth rates remain good, the size structure of the populations should improve further in the coming years. Most angler catches in 2024 are likely to be white and black crappie in the 8” – 9.5” range weighing 0.2 – 0.4 pounds, with some larger white crappie exceeding 10” and 0.5 pounds.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

In 2023, the electrofishing catch rate increased and the size structure of the population remained consistent with four-year trends. The 2023 sample showed an increase in the percentage of bass below 12” and a decrease in the percentage of bass in the 12” – 15” size range. The percentage of adult bass exceeding the 15” minimum length limit remained stable at 31%. Average body condition decreased, but it exceeded the lake management plan target. Gizzard shad are the primary forage for largemouth bass in East Fork Lake and most gizzard shad collected were between 2.8” – 4.3”. Fishing prospects for the coming year should be good and similar to last year with most keeper bass ranging from 15” – 20” in length and weighing between 1.5 – 4 pounds.

WALLEYE

Good

The size structure of the walleye population remained good this year, but fewer fish were collected than in last year’s surveys. The catch rate was 10 per hour during the electrofishing survey, 3 fish per net-night in the fall net survey, and 11 fish per net-night in the spring netting survey. Approximately 96% of the adult fish collected exceeded the 14” minimum length limit. With many fish in the 1.5 – 4 pound range, this lake should provide good fishing opportunities for walleye in the coming year.

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