Spring Lake - McDonough County

White Crappie

Good

The White Crappie population has been very dense in recent years. The 5-year averages from 2015 to 2022 were an RSD10 of 23 and an RSD11 of 15. Only 75 black crappies have been sampled in 2015 thru 2023 by electrofishing, and this population is at a very low density. In 2024, the White Crappie population was sampled by 54 fish in the spring trap net survey and 28 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The size structure was higher with an average of 43% of the collected fish over 10 inches and 29% over 11 inches in length. The average WR value of 94 was also good. The collection rate by electrofishing and trap net surveys do indicate that the population density is lower than previous years.

Muskellunge

Average

No muskie were sampled in the spring trap net survey in 2024. This was most likely due to the later timing of the survey in 2024. 3 muskie were sampled in the fall electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 25.5 to 26.2 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good at an average Wr of 96. A low-density population, of quality size muskie are present in Spring Lake. Jake Wolf Hatchery stocked 281 muskie at 10.75 inches in 2016, 279 fish at 12.5 inches in 2017, 281 fish at 12.5 inches in 2018, 281 fish at 13.5 inches in 2019 and no muskie were stocked in 2020, 279 fish at 13 inches in 2021, 278 fish at 12.5 inches in 2022, 278 fish at 12.25 inches in 2023, and 281 fish at 12.85 inches in 2024. An annual stocking is now scheduled to maintain a low density of healthy muskie. In 2017, the muskie harvest regulation was changed from the statewide 1 fish daily harvest at a 36-inch minimum size, to a 42-inch minimum and 1 fish per day harvest limit. The goal of the new regulation is to protect the fish for at least 1 more year from angler harvest.

Channel Catfish

Excellent

The Channel Catfish population was sampled by 251 fish in the spring trap net survey and 15 fish in the fall 2024 electrofishing survey. The current Channel Catfish population is rated as excellent with the larger fish up to 30 inches in length! This population is of high density and in good body condition. No annual stocking of non-vulnerable Channel Catfish has occurred in Spring Lake. A natural reproducing population is well established.

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fair

In 2024, 31 hybrid striped bass were sampled in the spring trap net survey and 9 in the fall electrofishing survey. They ranged in size from 5.6 to 29.1 inches in length. The average body condition was low for the younger fish but very high for the fish over 15 inches. A low-density population of hybrid striped bass up to trophy size will be available in Spring Lake. Competition from the dense yellow bass and crappie populations for the appropriate size food will be the biggest challenge for the annual stocking of hybrid striped bass in Spring Lake.

Yellow Bass

Average

The Yellow Bass population was sub-sampled by 38 fish from 4.1 to 8.9 inches in length. The current size structure can allow the harvest of Yellow Bass by anglers. Typically, the Yellow Bass populations can be very cyclic from a high density of small fish to a low density of fish over 7 inches.

Largemouth Bass

Good

The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated by 65 bass of stock size from electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 5 to 20 inches in length with a very good average Relative weight of 100. The 5-year averages from 2019 to 2023 were PSD of 69, RSD15 of 43, RSD16 of 34, and RSD18 of 17. And a 5 year average CPUE of 1 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. electrofishing. The 2024 electrofishing survey indicated a size structure that was at a PSD of 68, RSD15 of 48, RSD16 of 42 and the RSD18 of 26. These are an increase from the 5-year average for fish over 16 inches in length and markedly for the fish over 18 inches. The collection rate was down to .7 fish per minute over 8 inches in length and this was also below the 5-year average. The current bass population is present in a moderate density of fast-growing fish. This is a good Largemouth Bass population.

Bluegill

Average

The Bluegill population was sampled by 291 stock sized fish in fall 2024 electrofishing survey. The current Bluegill population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 7.5 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 104. The competition with the gizzard shad and carp have limited the Bluegill condition and growth.

Blue Catfish

Developing

In 2018, the initial stocking of 5,976 Blue Catfish at 5.9 inches occurred in Spring Lake! The IDNR Little Grassy Hatchery began production in 2018 using brood fish obtained from Powerton Lake and the Mississippi River near Grafton. It will be exciting to evaluate this introduction. In 2022, 2 Blue Catfish from 15 to 16 inches were collected in the spring trap net, and anglers have reported catching them. In 2020, Little Grassy hatchery stocked an additional 2,490 Blue Catfish at 4.8 inches on 10/8/2020. In 2021, 8,300 fish at 5.1 inches were stocked. In 2022, 8,300 fish at 5.9 inches were stocked. In 2023, 4,161 fish at 6.6 inches were stocked. And in 2024, 8,300 fish at 5.8 inches were stocked. In 2023, the Blue Catfish population was surveyed using low pulse (15 pps) DC boat electrofishing in June and September. The June survey collected 54 fish from 7.8 inches to 23.9 inches in 60 minutes. The September survey collected 24 fish from 10 inches to 20.2 inches in 30 minutes. In 2024, the Blue Catfish population was surveyed using low pulse (15 pps) DC boat electrofishing in June and September. The June surveys collected 148 fish from 7.8 inches to 29.5 inches in 115 minutes. The September survey collected 215 fish from 9.6 inches to 28.6 inches in 40 minutes. The Blue Catfish stocking appears to have created a fast-growing population with high survival. The average relative weight was 90 for the September survey fish. Future targeted survey will be completed to evaluate the Blue Catfish population in Spring Lake.

Walleye

Developing

The Walleye population was sampled by 1 fish in the spring trap net survey and 2 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The size range was from 20.2 to 27.2 inches in length. The body condition was good with a Wr value of 94. These fish are probably from the 2020 and 2018 stockings. A stocking of 4,340 Walleye at 1.7 inches in length occurred in 2021 from LaSalle hatchery. In 2017, the Walleye regulation was increased to an 18-inch minimum length limit and 3 fish daily harvest limit. The spring trap nets, fall electrofishing and angler harvest reports should allow a continued evaluation of the Walleye population.