Dongola City Reservoir

Crappie spp.

Poor

Crappie size structure is generally poor in Dongola City Lake due to competition with Common Carp, Yellow Bass, and stunted Bluegill. Crappie were not targeted during the 2024 fall survey. However, a total of 30 Black Crappie and 3 White Crappie were caught as bycatch in catfish hoop nets. Of the crappie caught, all were under 8.5" except for 2 White Crappie (10" and 12").

Largemouth Bass

Good

Dongola City Lake supports a relatively good bass population despite poor habitat conditions. During the 2024 fall electrofishing survey, 34 bass were collected, of which 21% were over 15 inches and 3% were over 18 inches. Body condition (relative weight) exceeded the management goal and generally increased with increasing length. However, the catch rate of 68/hour was well below the management goal of 100/hour, a decline from 96/hour in 2022 and 120/hour in 2021. Should the bass catch rate decline again during the 2026 fish population survey, supplemental bass stockings may be needed to bolster the population. Transplanting of emergent aquatic plants (i.e. Spatterdock or American Lotus) is also being considered as a tool to improve overall fish habitat and would likely improve survival of juvenile bass once established.

Channel Catfish

Good

Dongola City Lake supports an abundant population of Channel Catfish, which is supplementally stocked on an annual basis to ensure consistent recruitment. During the 2024 fall fish population survey, tandem baited hoop nets (3 hoop nets tied in series, baited with Zote Soap) were used for the first time to evaluate the catfish population. A total of 146 Channel Catfish were captured in 4 overnight net sets, ranging in length from 9 to 25 inches. Although catfish numbers were rather high, body condition was relatively poor, especially among smaller size groups under 18". In addition, length-at-age data derived from pectoral spines (78 individuals) revealed relatively poor growth, as catfish took nearly 7 years to reach 18". Poor growth and body condition suggests that supplemental stockings should occur less often. Thus, future stockings will occur on a biennial basis instead of annually. The abundance of Common Carp also likely has a negative impact on catfish growth, as they compete with catfish for benthic invertebrates. Although the catfish fishery is mostly composed of smaller, slow-growing fish, many anglers prefer to harvest smaller catfish in the 1-2 lb. range. Thus, harvest oriented catfish anglers should expect good opportunities at Dongola City Lake.

Bluegill

Poor

The Bluegill size structure remains poor in Dongola City Lake. A total of 184 Bluegill were collected during the 2024 fall electrofishing survey, measuring from 2.0 to a maximum of only 6.6 inches. Body condition was generally poor and declined with increasing length, which is an indicator of stunted growth. Competition with abundant Common Carp and Yellow Bass, in addition to poor habitat conditions (high turbidity, no aquatic vegetation) are driving factors of poor Bluegill growth.