Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2024

Muskellunge

Adult

200

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

14 stock-size bluegill and 2 stock-size redear sunfish were sampled in 2023. The population for both of these species has remained poor in size structure and body condition. The competition with the gizzard shad and carp have caused this growth slowdown.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Fair

4 channel catfish were sampled in 2023. No recent channel catfish stockings have occurred in Shovel Lake.

CRAPPIE

Average

The black crappie population was surveyed by 64 stock size fish in 2023. The body condition was good. There is a marked improvement for the larger size structure of the black crappie population. It had been on a downward trend since 2019 in Shovel Lake. No white crappie were surveyed in 2023. This population is present in a very low density of quality fish. In 2018 the crappie harvest regulation changed to a harvest limit of 25 fish per day with only 10 fish over 10 inches allowed.

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 126 stock size bass from electrofishing with 60 minutes of effort. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 4.0 to 20 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 fall electrofishing survey indicated a size structure that is continuing to maintain a very good level and stability since 2004. The goal of the protected slot length limit is 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 anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to harvest more fish.

MUSKELLUNGE

Good

The muskie population was sampled by a total of 8 stock size muskie by the spring of 2023 trap net survey (.5 fish per net night). These fish ranged from 25.6 to 45 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good. The first stocking of 450 fish at 11 inches was in 1999. In 2000, a total of 200, 2001-600, 2002-200, 2003-200, 2004-0, and 200 annually from 2005 through 2014 at an average size of 11.2 inches were stocked. No muskie were stocked in 2015 or 2016. In 2017, 200 fish at 12.4 inches long were stocked. In 2021, 2,788 fish at 3 inches were stocked in June, and 240 fish at 13 inches were stocked in September. A triennial stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie. Illinois (Jake Wolf) muskie strain appear to be doing good in this lake. No muskie stocking occurred in 2020 due to COVID work restrictions affecting hatchery production.

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