Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2023

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

1500

2024

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

900

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The size structure of the bluegill population continued to remain poor. The number of larger bluegill was well below optimal (RSD-7 = 4). Many bluegill between 5” – 7” were collected, and only a single bluegill over 7.5” was sampled. In 2024, anglers can expect to catch an abundance of bluegill 5” – 7” in length weighing 0.1 to 0.25 pounds. Unfortunately, the bluegill population in this lake will likely always be hindered by the presence of gizzard shad.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Improving

As a result of recent stocking efforts, the channel catfish population density is improving. The current population exhibits good growth rates and body condition. Approximately 97% of the adult channel catfish collected in 2023 were over 14” long and 86% exceeded 18”. Fishing in the coming year should be fair to good with the majority of fish ranging from 1 – 6 pounds.

CRAPPIE

Average

The size structure of the white crappie population continued to look good, while the size structure of the black crappie population remained poor. Approximately 31% of the adult white crappie in the sample exceeded 9” in length and 20% exceeded 10”. Nearly 50% of the adult white crappie in the sample were between 8” – 10”. Most black crappie were in the 7” – 9” range with no fish exceeding 10” in length. Only 5% of the adult black crappie in the sample exceeded 9” in length. Body condition for white crappie remained poor and below the lake management plan target and black crappie body condition remained above target. Crappie fishing should be good in the coming year with the best fish ranging between 0.5 – 1.3 pounds.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

The overall size structure of the bass population was good and relatively stable. All of the population metrics met, or exceeded, the lake management plan targets. There was an increase in the number of bass under 12” collected in 2023. Approximately 25% of the adult bass in the sample exceeded the 15” minimum length limit. The catch rate was high at 131 fish per hour and was well above the goal of 60 per hour. Body condition remained stable and good. Fishing prospects for the coming year should be very good with most bass over the minimum length limit ranging from 15” – 20” in length and weighing between 1.8 – 5 pounds.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Good

The size structure of the redear sunfish collected in 2023 was good and the electrofishing catch rate increased. Approximately 27% of the adult redear were 9” or longer and 10% were 10” or longer. Expect most redear caught to be between 7” – 10” and 0.25 – 0.65 pounds, with some larger fish exceeding 10” and approaching 0.75 pounds. Redear fishing should be good in 2024.

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