Jacksonville, Lake

Largemouth Bass

Very Good

The Largemouth Bass population at Lake Jacksonville remains very good. In 2021, the Largemouth Bass structural indices all met or exceeded the lake management goals. Largemouth Bass were collected at a rate of 80.5 fish per 1 hour of electrofishing in 2021, yielding the highest catch rate since 2018. Fish ranged from 3.1-21.4” and weighed up to 6.85lbs. 48% of the catchable-sized fish exceeded 12”, 22.4% reached 15” or better, and 8.8% measured 18” or greater. 4% of the catchable sized Largemouth Bass measured 20” or greater. 15 Largemouth Bass weighed 3lbs or more, and 4 of those fish weighed over 5lbs. Mean average body condition increased from 2020 to 2021. Lake Jacksonville is currently under a consumption advisory for Largemouth Bass measuring over 15”. No more than 1 meal/week is recommended for women beyond childbearing age and men more than 15 years old, while no more than 1 meal/month is recommended for pregnant or nursing women or women of childbearing age and children less than 15 years old. Anglers can catch Largemouth Bass on points, deadfalls, stickups, and along aquatic vegetation beds in the spring and fall with plastic worms, jigs, spinners, crank baits, minnows, crayfish, and worms.

Crappie spp.

Good

White Crappie is the dominant crappie species in Lake Jacksonville, however more Black Crappie were collected than White Crappie in the 2021 electrofishing survey. The crappie fishery appears to be improving. White Crappie ranged from 4.4-13.1” and weighed up to 1.1lbs. 33.3% of the catchable population exceeded 10” and 11.1% exceeded 12”. Most structural indices met or exceeded the management goal. The 2021 spring trap netting yielded 51 White Crappie and 28 Black Crappie in 14 net nights of effort. The catch rate was substantially lower in 2021, but could be attributed to a cold front that came through on the day the nets were set. 100.0% of the catchable White Crappie population exceeded 8”, 78.4% exceeded 10” and 19.6% were 12” or greater. 60.7% of the Black Crappie population exceeded 8”, 25.0% were 10” or greater. The crappie regulation changed in 2017, to a 25 fish/day harvest limit with no more than 10 fish measuring greater than or equal to 10”. This regulation was put into place with a goal to reduce the density of fish measuring less than 10”, which will allow for more food sources and faster growth rates of the remaining crappie and bass. Anglers can catch crappie on stickups and submerged structures in the spring and fall using spinners, jigs, and minnows. The largest White Crappie ever collected during an electrofishing survey measured over 15” and weighed 1.8 lbs.

Channel Catfish

Excellent

The Channel Catfish population continues to remain excellent. The lake is large and turbid enough to potentially promote natural reproduction, and it receives approximately 7,000 non-vulnerable Channel Catfish from the hatchery system biennially. In 2021, 6 Channel Catfish were collected per hour of electrofishing. Fish ranged from 9.9-21.7” and weighed up to 3.9lbs. Trap netting resulted in 28 Channel Catfish collected, ranging from 9.3-28.1” and weighing up to 10lbs. Average body condition from Channel Catfish collected via electrofishing was excellent.

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Good

One Hybrid Striped Bass was collected via electrofishing in 2021, and it measured 7.5”. Hybrid Striped Bass had not previously been collected in electrofishing surveys since 2016. One Hybrid Striped Bass was collected in the 2021 trap netting survey. It measured 11.8”. Angler accounts suggest that the population is doing well and is providing good fishing opportunities. Hybrid Striped Bass are stocked annually into Lake Jacksonville, as hatchery production allows.