Lake Storey

Crappie spp.

Average

The white and black crappie populations have been an average rating in recent years. The Black Crappie population has become the dominant species. The 5-year trapnet catch per unit of effort was 16 Black Crappie per net night and less than 1 White Crappie per net night. In 2024, the white crappie population was sampled by 16 stock size fish in spring trap net survey. The black crappie population was sampled by 133 stock size fish in spring trap net survey. The white crappie were sampled with a PSD of 100, RSD9 of 100, RSD10 of 100, and RSD11 of 81. The black crappie were sampled with a PSD of 72, RSD9 of 7, RSD10 of 3 and RSD11 of 0. White crappie had an average WR value of 97 and the black crappie was a 90. The white crappie indices have improved over the last 5 years, while the black crappie have remained low. Anglers can continue to apply harvest pressure upon the dense black crappie population that is from 7.5 to 9 inches in length.

Muskellunge

Average

In 2024, 14 Muskie were collected in the spring trap netting. These fish ranged from 31.9 to 42.5 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good. A low density of quality size Muskie are present. 43 Muskie have been recaptured with PIT tag data from Lake Storey since 2002. The 2014 recapture growth rate for a male over 10 years old was .21 inches and .26 lbs per year. And the growth rate for 2 females over 10 years old was 1.1 inches and 1.40 lbs per year. Jake Wolf stocked 136 Muskie at 10.75 inches in 2016. Jake Wolf stocked 135 at 12.5 inches in 2017, 136 fish at 12.5 inches in 2018, 142 fish at 13.5 inches in 2019, no stocking in 2020, 138 fish at 13 inches in 2021, 147 fish at 12.5 inches in 2022, 138 fish at 12.25 inches in 2023, and 135 fish at 12.85 inches in 2024. An annual stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy Muskie. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 maybe provide an additional forage base for the Muskie population.

Redear Sunfish

Average

The Redear Sunfish population was sampled by 16 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current Redear population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 9.0 inches in length. This population is of low density and in average body condition.

Channel Catfish

Good

The Channel Catfish population was sampled by 27 fish in fall electrofishing survey and 62 fish in the spring trap net survey. The current Channel Catfish population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 27 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition. No Channel Catfish were stocked in 2024. Little Grassy Hatchery stocked 3,900 fish at 8.0 inches in 2023. An annual stocking of non-vulnerable Channel Catfish has occurred in the recent past. These stockings have established a population with anticipated high angler harvest pressure.

Walleye

Good

The Walleye population was sampled by 11 fish in the spring trap nets and 21 fish in the fall electrofishing survey in 2024. The current Walleye population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 27 inches in length. The CPUE for electrofishing was at .31 fish per minute by electrofishing and .65 fish per net night of trap netting in 2024. This population is of moderate density and in average body condition. Jake Wolf Hatchery stocked 6696 fish at 1.5 inches long in 2016. No Walleye were stocked in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2020, 6,819 Walleye at 1.4 inches were stocked. In 2021, 8,970 Walleye at 1.5 inches were stocked. In 2022, 8,517 Walleye at 1.5 inches were stocked. In 2023, 6,706 Walleye at 1.9 inches were stocked. And in 2024, 8,462 Walleye at 1.9 inches were stocked from Jake Wolf Hatchery. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 maybe provide an additional forage base for the Walleye population.

Largemouth Bass

Very Good

The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated by 203 stock size bass from electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 4 to 19 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2017, the bass regulation for Lake Storey was changed from a 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and/or 5 fish less than 12 inches daily, to a protected slot length limit from 12 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 Largemouth Bass population has dramatically improved since 2020 and is now rated very good! 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 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 12 inches.

Blue Catfish

Developing

In 2024, 3,900 Blue Catfish at an average size of 5.8 inches were stocked on 10/2/2024. The Blue Catfish stocking is an attempt to provide anglers with another sportfish to target that provides very good eating. The Blue Catfish also should utilize the gizzard shad once they reach 15 inches.

Bluegill

Average

In 2024, the Bluegill population was sampled by 89 stock size fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current Bluegill population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 7.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in below average body condition. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 will continue to decrease the growth and body condition of the Bluegill population.