Nippersink Lake - LCFPD

Channel Catfish

Excellent

This species is stocked as part of the County's Fishing Clinic Program. We collected fish between 19” and 21” long, which provide for some “bulldog” fights at the ends of the line! Channel Catfish are good secondary predators and provide diversity to the fishery.

Largemouth Bass

Very Good

In 2015, Largemouth Bass were collected at a slightly higher rate than our goal of 1 fish/minute. Bass ranged from 4” to 18.2” long, with the largest weighing 3.2 lbs. 62% were over 12” long, 38% were over 14”, 19% exceeded 15” long and 14% of the sample exceeded 16”, so the size structure is in place to provide quality bass fishing and improve panfish size structure so anglers can enjoy their fishing experience.

Bluegill

Fair

In 2015, Bluegill collected during the survey ranged from 2” to 7.8” long. 32% of the catch were over 6”, 2.6% were over 7” long and 1% were over 7.5” long. Growing larger Bluegill depends on a higher bass abundance so predation can contain reproduction and open up space for fish to grow.

Crappie spp.

Very Good

Black and white crappie were collected. Black crappie measured between 5” and 11.8”, 12.5% were longer than 9”, 3% were over 10” long and 3% exceeded 12”. White crappie all ranged about 8.5” in size. Very strong predation is necessary to contain and manage for crappie in a very small lake like Nippersink. They have the potential to become very abundant and dominate this fishery over time, at which point all crappie will stockpile at about 8” to 9” long.