Cheshire Lake

Channel Catfish

Improving

While no Channel Catfish were captured in this survey, they were stocked in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Our electrofishing gear does not catch Channel Catfish well as this species typically uses deeper habitat than we sample. Fishing for Channel Catfish should be great in the evening for these catfish, some of which should be well over 20 inches.

Largemouth Bass

Fair

In 2020, the catch rate was 294 fish per hour meaning that bass were very abundant. Bass ranged in length from 2.4 to 19.4 inches with the largest bass weighing four pounds. The bass fishery in Cheshire Lake looks like a great place to take a young angler for some fast bass action.

Common Carp

Good

Eleven Common Carp were captured during the survey. They ranged in length from 15.8 inches to 23.5 inches. None were nearly as large as the massive 34.8-inch fish that weighed 31 pounds in the 2014 survey! Common Carp abundance does not appear to be extreme at this time, but unlimited harvest is encouraged for this detrimental species.

Bluegill

Excellent

Bluegill are abundant and doing well since the 2014 sample. The catch rate of 264 fish per hour well exceeds our management goal of 120 fish per hour. Adult Bluegill were healthy and fat. Hundreds of young of year Bluegill were observed in the shallow areas near shore.