Species

Rank

Fish Status

CHANNEL CATFISH

Very Good

The channel catfish population is doing well both in quantity and quality. Fish up to 8 pounds are surveyed most years. Channel catfish collected in 2022 measured from 11 – 21” and weighed up to 3.6 lbs. Anglers can catch channel catfish in the warmer months using bottom fishing techniques near deadfalls and woody debris with cut bait, shrimp, chicken livers or night crawlers. The largest channel catfish ever collected by electrofishing measured over 27” and weighed 9 lbs.

CRAPPIE

Good

Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit. '>Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit.'> '> Lake Sangchris contains both black and white crappie. The black crappie are a strain originally brought in from Arkansas in 1985 that have a ¼” wide black stripe running from just under the chin up over the nose to the dorsal fin. They are called black-nosed or black-striped crappie by anglers. The crappie population is still developing at Lake Sangchris. The 2023 fish population survey showed increases in both black and white crappie numbers, but lower catch rates of keepers. White crappie ranged from 6 – 13.5”, and generally seem to be doing better, while black crappie ranged from just 2 inches up to 12”. The majority of the crappie collected in the 2023 fall survey measured under the 10” minimum length limit. The population structures are still not yet within management goals. Natural spawning may be more consistent now that the power plant hardly runs and water temperatures are more stable. This is especially true of the black crappie. There has been evidence of natural reproduction in the past, but it never seemed to be consistent. The daily regulation will be changing in spring of 2025 to allow the harvest of smaller individuals. Anglers can catch crappie on submerged natural and artificial structure within the entire lake with spinners, jigs and minnows year round. A 17.5”, 3.7 pound white crappie was recently brought to the biologist for weighing and identifying. Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit. '>Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit.'>

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Very Good

Flathead catfish are difficult to survey, but evidence suggests angler catch rates remain high. Lake Sangchris is now almost 60 years old and is developing a reputation for producing flathead catfish weighing over 40 lbs. The largest flathead ever collected in a survey weighed 69 pounds and the largest caught by an angler weighed 81.45 pounds, which is the current state record. Flathead catfish exceeding 40 pounds are harvested every year. Only 1 flathead measuring 12” was collected during the 2022 survey, which at least shows that natural reproduction is still occurring. Anglers can catch flathead catfish using live bait such as minnows, green sunfish, shad, or crayfish around submerged logs and deadfalls in the warmer months and deep holes in the colder months.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

Lake Sangchris is known for its high density bass population with electrofishing surveys. We collected a total of 415 bass (104/hr) ranging from 4 – 21.5” and weighing up to 6.4 lbs. Body condition of largemouth bass seems to be more desirable than in the past, with an average relative weight of 99%, and a max of 147%! Hot water discharge into the lake has historically been thought to cause largemouth bass to burn more energy than they can consume during the hot summer months, but more stable water temperatures may be easing some thermal stress. Gizzard shad have exhibited erratic spawns in Lake Sangchris in the past and threadfin shad have died off due to colder winter water temps. Anglers can catch largemouth bass on points, deadfalls, and stickups within the entire lake year round with plastic worms, jigs, spinners, crank baits, minnows, crayfish and worms. The largest bass ever collected by electrofishing measured 22” long and weighed over 7.25 lbs! Site Regulation: 15" minimum length limit; 3 fish per day limit.

STRIPED BASS

Very Good

Pure striped bass are non-native and have been stocked into Lake Sangchris since 1983 when available. The striped bass stocking program has produced some great fishing opportunities. Past surveys have shown that the lake has not produced many fish over 20 pounds, but there is still a decent density of striped bass up to 15 pounds, and recently several pushing 30 have been caught. Anglers can catch stripers near “striper point” located in the northern portion of the lake in the warmer months and in the hot water middle arm of the lake when water is being discharged in the winter. Anglers can catch stripers using large spinnerbaits, crankbaits, spoons, jigs, crayfish or large minnows. The current state record of 31 pounds 7 ounces was caught at Lake Sangchris! Site Regulation: No limit under 17; 3 fish a day over 17" limit.

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