Sam Parr Lake

Channel Catfish

Very Good

Channel Catfish remain relatively abundant in Sam Parr Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Nearly 93% of adult catfish collected were 14” or longer and approximately 15% exceeded 18” long. Most fish in 2026 should range from 13” – 16” and weigh 0.65 – 1.25 pounds. This lake provides many bank fishing opportunities. The best places to fish include the riprap along the dam, the upper ends of the two main arms of the lake, along the tent camping shoreline, and in the backs of coves.

Crappie spp.

Fair

Sam Parr Lake contains both White Crappie and Black Crappie, and the size structures for both populations are poor. Average body condition was below the lake management plan minimum target for both species, but Black Crappie had higher average body condition than White Crappie. Approximately 29% of the adult Black Crappie and 9% of the adult White Crappie were in the 8” – 10” size range, with only 3.3% of adult White Crappie and 1.2% of adult Black Crappie exceeding 9” long. Black Crappie over 8” in 2026 should weigh more than 0.23 pounds and White Crappie over 8” should weigh more than 0.19 pounds. Small fish of both species will be abundant, and harvest of these smaller fish is encouraged.

Largemouth Bass

Average

The size structure of the Largemouth Bass population in 2025 improved slightly from the 2024 survey, but it was consistent with four-year trends. The percentage of adult bass in the 12” – 15” size range improved to 28% and 25% of the adult bass were it the 15” – 20” size range. Approximately 36% of the adult bass were longer than the 14” minimum length limit and bass larger than 14.5” had much higher average body condition (Wr=105) than smaller fish (Wr=87). A large part of this body condition disparity can likely be attributed to the Gizzard Shad forage base in Sam Parr Lake. Gizzard Shad were first documented in the lake in 2005 and in recent surveys 59% – 83% of the total shad sampled were longer than 7”. These shad are much too long for the smaller bass to eat, but they provide excellent forage for the larger bass. In 2026, anglers could expect most Largemouth Bass over the 14” minimum length limit to weigh 1.2 – 5 pounds.

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Developing

Hybrid Striped Bass fingerlings were first stocked in Sam Parr Lake in 2024. Approximately 1,900 fingerlings were stocked at 1.75” long in July 2025. No Hybrid Striped Bass were sampled in 2024. Two Hybrid Striped Bass were collected in the spring 2025 netting survey averaging 6.8” long and a single 10.8” long Hybrid Striped Bass was collected in the fall electrofishing survey. Hybrid Striped Bass are being stocked in Sam Parr Lake to prey on the overabundant Gizzard Shad population. Catch and release is encouraged, but Hybrid Striped Bass are regulated by the statewide limits. There is no daily limit on Hybrid Striped Bass less than 17”, but only 3 fish per day longer than 17” may be harvested.

Bluegill

Fair

Bluegill were not sampled in the 2025 annual survey. Since the appearance of Gizzard Shad in 2005, the Bluegill population’s size structure has declined significantly and is unlikely to improve. Competition for food resources between Gizzard Shad and Bluegill, along with reduced predation on Bluegill from Largemouth Bass, have slowed the average growth rate of the Bluegill population and very few fish reach a desirable length for angler harvest. Most Bluegill in recent surveys were less than 7” long. Based on long-term trends, anglers could expect most fish in 2026 to range from 5” – 7” and weigh 0.10 – 0.22 pounds.

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Developing

Saugeye fingerlings were first stocked in Sam Parr Lake in 2024. Approximately 16,695 fish were stocked at 1.3” long in May 2025. No Saugeye were collected in the 2024 or 2025 annual fall surveys, but two Saugeye averaging 10.2” were collected in the 2025 spring netting survey. Saugeye are being stocked in Sam Parr Lake to provide an additional predatory fish to prey on the overabundant shad and crappie populations. Catch and release is encouraged, but Saugeye are subject to the statewide 14” minimum length limit and a 6 fish daily harvest limit.