Siloam Springs Lake

Crappie spp.

Very Good

2025 trap netting produced 10.2 Black Crappie and 2.2 White Crappie per net night. 33% of the catchable sized Black Crappie were 9” or longer. The largest Black Crappie measured 17” and weighed 3.15lbs. 82% of the catchable sized White Crappie measured 9” or greater. In 2024, 7 nets yielded 12 Black Crappie for a catch rate of 1.71 fish/net night. These Black Crappie ranged from 9.4 – 16.5”. The largest Black Crappie sampled measured 16.5” and weighed 2.86lbs. No White Crappie were collected during trap netting in 2024.

Rainbow Trout

Excellent

Rainbow Trout are stocked in the spring and fall in Siloam Springs Lake as part of the Catchable Trout Program. This put-and-take fishery offers anglers an opportunity to participate in trout fishing. Rainbow Trout are abundant in the lake; however, we rarely sample them during electrofishing surveys.

Channel Catfish

Good

Two Channel Catfish were sampled during the 2025 night electrofishing survey. Fish measured 16” and 20”. Siloam Springs receives supplemental Channel Catfish stockings on a biennial schedule.

Largemouth Bass

Good

Since 2015, the Siloam Springs Largemouth Bass population has been characterized by many stunted, 9-12” bass, with a few very large individuals. During the 2025 survey 118 Largemouth Bass were collected per hour of electrofishing. In 2025, fish collected during the standardized Largemouth Bass Survey ranged from 3.9 – 19.4”. The biggest Largemouth Bass sampled in recent years was collected during a March 2025 Walleye night electrofishing survey. The Largemouth Bass measured 20.4” and weighed 8.4lbs.

Walleye

Developing

Since the initial stocking began, two Walleye have been sampled. One fish was sampled during spring night electrofishing in 2024 and measured 8.1”. The second Walleye sampled was collect by spring daytime electrofishing in 2024 and that fish measured 10.0”. The IDNR Hatchery has stocked 19,358 1.5-2.0” Walleye since 2021. The Walleye regulation for Siloam Springs Lake is a 14” Minimum Length Limit, 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Future stockings are planned as hatchery production allows.

Redear Sunfish

Very Good

In 2025, Redear Sunfish exceeded the management goal of 20 fish per hour of electrofishing, yielding 26 fish per hour. Fish ranged from 4.2 – 7.6”. Redear Sunfish were collected at a catch rate of 16 fish per hour of electrofishing in 2024, nearly meeting the goal of 20 fish per hour. Average body condition was good in 2024 (Wr = 94) but dipped down in 2025 (Wr = 85).

Bluegill

Very Good

The Bluegill catch rate during 2025 daytime electrofishing (CPUE = 27) was lower than the management goal of 100 or more per hour of electrofishing and lower than the 2024 sample (2024 CPUE = 37). In 2025, 38% of the of the catchable sized fish measured 7” or greater, compared to 67% in 2024.