Lake Atwood

Bluegill

Average

Bluegill numbers were low as this survey took place before the Bluegill had moved shallow to spawn. Bluegill were caught at a rate of 35 fish per hour (we like to see this number around 120 fish per hour). The steep-sided banks and clear water do tend to lower catch rates for Bluegill as well. The Bluegill catch was skewed toward small individuals with less than ten percent of the catch measuring longer than six inches. Pumpkinseed and Warmouth also contribute to the panfish population. Pumpkinseed over eight inches were caught in previous surveys.

Black Crappie

Fair

Only two small Black Crappie were caught in the most recent survey. This lake is not stocked with or managed for Crappie at this time. Black Crappie populations in small lakes and ponds tend to have large fluctuations over time. Black Crappie over ten inches have been collected in previous surveys.

Channel Catfish

Good

Channel Catfish are stocked annually by IDNR (250-350 fish between 8-12 inches). Two Channel Catfish were caught in the 2021 survey. The larger Channel Catfish was a 25.5-inch fish, weighing 7.6 pounds.

Largemouth Bass

Good

Largemouth Bass were caught at a rate of 53 fish per hour. This is slightly lower than the management goal of 60 fish per hour. This low catch rate is not a concern as electrofishing catch rates tend to the lower in clear, steep-sided quarries like Atwood. Size structure looked good with 55% of the bass measuring longer than 15 inches. The heaviest fish weighed 2.8 pounds. Largemouth Bass are stocked annually to supplement natural reproduction. No signs of stunting were evident in Lake Atwood.