McMaster, Lake - SHFWA

Largemouth Bass

Good

The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated by 201 stock size bass from electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 8 to 16 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2017, the bass regulation for McMaster Lake was changed from a 3 fish daily harvest limit with only 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches, to a protected slot length limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the new bass regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches. The 5-year averages from 2011 to 2015 were RSD15 of 23, RSD16 of 15, and RSD18 of 5. And a 5-year average CPUE 1.6 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. electrofishing. The 2022 electrofishing survey showed a decline in the RSD15 through RSD 18 values. The 2024 values continued this trend at a: PSD of 41, RSD15 of 12, RSD16 of 7 and the RSD18 of 1. The average body condition was at a Wr of 91. Future surveys will need to evaluate further why the bass population has not started to restructure into the 14-to-18-inch size range. 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 panfish and gizzard shad population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 15 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to still harvest fish under 14 inches.

Redear Sunfish

Good

The Redear Sunfish population was sampled by 36 fish in the spring electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as very good with the larger fish up to 11.9 inches in length. This population is of low density and in excellent body condition with a Wr average of 118. The Redear Sunfish population started to show very good growth and increases in the size structure at about the same time that zebra mussels were documented in 2021 in McMaster Lake. In 2017, the bluegill and Redear Sunfish regulation was changed from a 10 fish daily harvest limit to a 25 fish daily harvest limit. This change will allow anglers the ability to harvest more bluegill and Redear Sunfish per daily visit to Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters.

Channel Catfish

Very Good

The Channel Catfish population was sampled by 24 fish in the 2024, spring trap net survey. The current Channel Catfish population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 26 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 105. Little Grassy hatchery stocked 3,000 fish at 6.8 inches in 2022, and then 1,200 fish at 4.3 inches in 2024. A stocking of non-vulnerable Channel Catfish is now scheduled for every other year in Lake McMaster.

Walleye

Good

The Walleye population was sampled by 7 fish in spring trap nets and 2 fish in the spring electrofishing survey in 2024. The current Walleye population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 25 inches in length. The CPUE for trapnets was at .4 fish per net night in 2024. This population is of low density and in average body condition with a Wr average of 83. No Walleye were stocked in 2015 or in 2016, but 8,032 were stocked in 2017, 11,160 were stocked in 2018, 8,351 were stocked in 2019, 8,090 were stocked in 2020, 13,628 in 2021, 9,180 in 2022, 7,996 at 1.9 inches long in 2023, and 16,689 at 2 inches long in 2024.

Black Crappie

Average

The Black Crappie population has had an average rating in recent years. The 5 year averages from 2011 to 2015 were an RSD10 of 14 for Black Crappie. In 2017, the crappie regulation was changed from a 5 fish daily harvest limit to a 25 fish daily harvest limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches. The goal of the new regulation is to allow the harvest of more of the slower growing Black Crappie, while maintaining and promoting the population structure of crappie over 10 inches in length. In 2024, the Black Crappie population was sampled by 14 fish in the spring electrofishing survey and 57 fish in the spring trap net survey. The PSD value was a 98, RSD9 of 56, RSD10 of 23 and RSD11 of 10. The average WR value was 91. The RSD 10 and RSD 11 values showed a marked increase in 2020 and have stayed good thru 2024. The new regulation will continue to be evaluated to these indices.

Bluegill

Good

The Bluegill population was sampled by 173 fish in the spring electrofishing survey. The current Bluegill population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 8.6 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 94.

Muskellunge

Good

A total of 6 muskie were sampled by the spring trapnet survey in 2024. These fish ranged from 35.5 to 39.4 inches long. The body condition of these fish was at an average Wr of 98. The sample was composed of 5 males and 1 female. 1 of the males had a PIT tag from a historical tagging event. He was originally tagged on 4/3/2006 at a length of 31.1 inches and 7.5 pounds. On 4/19/2024 he was recaptured at a length of 37.8 inches long and 14.9 pounds. He grew approximately .37 inches and .41 pounds per year over those 18 years. And he was estimated to be 21 years old in 2024! In 2017, the muskie harvest regulation was changed from a 1 fish daily harvest limit over 48 inches, to a harvestable slot from 36 to 42 inches, and 48-inch minimum length limit with 1 fish daily harvest limit. This regulation is an attempt to allow anglers to reduce the density of very slow growing male muskie in McMaster Lake. The following data helps explain the current male and female muskie growth rate in McMaster Lake. Muskie have been PIT tagged since 2002 in Lake McMaster. The 2015 fish recaptures showed that males grew on average .52 inches per year and .5 lbs per year which was based on 3 fish at least 13 years old each. Females grew on average .84 inches per year and .78 lbs per year which was based on 4 fish at least 13 years old each. The 2016 fish recaptures showed that males grew on average .53 inches per year and .42 lbs per year which was based on 16 fish at least 13 years old each. Females grew on average .3 inches per year and .58 lbs per year which was based on 2 fish at least 13 years old each. In 2016 the average Wr for male muskie(29) over 36” was 77 and the average Wr for female muskie(7) over 36” was 85. From 16 PIT tagged male muskie, the length range was 37.5 to 42.3 inches long for fish 13 to 17 years old. 58% (22/38 fish) of the males were from 36 to 40 inches in length. While only 11% (1/9 fish) of the females were from 36 to 40 inches in length. In 2017, only 3 male recaptures were collected. 137 muskie at 11.9 inches in length were stocked in 2015. No muskie were stocked in 2016, 2017 or 2018. Jake Wolf hatchery stocked 136 muskie at 13.5 inches in 2019, and then 143 fish at 12.5 inches in length in 2022. A triennial stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie.