Raccoon Lake

Crappie spp.

Good

Both Black Crappie and White Crappie are present in Raccoon Lake, but White Crappie remained more abundant than Black Crappie in the 2025 survey. Data collected from the annual population survey indicated 22% of the adult White Crappie population exceeded 10” in length and an additional 54% of the adult population were between 8” – 10” in length. Average body condition improved but remained below the minimum lake management plan target (Wr=89) and the electrofishing catch rate remained very high at 79 per hour. Black Crappie were less numerous in the 2025 sample, but their electrofishing catch rate was high at 37 per hour. Their population was in good shape and average body condition remained above target (Wr=92). Approximately 15% of the adult Black Crappie in the sample exceeded 10” in length, an increase from 5% in the 2024 survey. The percentage of adult Black Crappie exceeding 9” in length improved from 12% in 2024 to 49% in 2025. This lake should continue to provide good crappie fishing in the coming year. In 2026, White Crappie over 8” long should weigh more than 0.22 pounds, with Black Crappie over 8” weighing more than 0.25 pounds.

Largemouth Bass

Improving

The size distribution of Largemouth Bass population surveyed in 2025 was similar to 2024. Despite many of the similarities, there was a slight downward shift in the size structure of the bass near the 15” minimum length limit. Largemouth Bass in the 12” – 15” size range increased from 32% of the adult bass sampled in 2024 to 41% in 2025. This increase in the 12” – 15” size range was nearly identical to amount of the decrease in 15” – 20” size range from 31% in 2024 to 23% in 2025. This decrease in the percentage of fish over the 15” minimum size limit also corresponds with a fourfold increase in the number of bass tournaments hosted from 2024 to 2025. All the other size structure metrics remained stable from 2024 to 2025. Average body condition for all sizes of bass remained good (Wr=94). Poor bass reproduction and recruitment continue to be a concern in this lake. To help improve bass population numbers, over 35,500 Largemouth Bass fingerlings were stocked in the lake in June of 2017. Since 2017, the bass population has fluctuated, but it has shown signs of improvement and stabilization in recent years. Hopefully these improvements will translate to more consistent and successful reproduction and recruitment in the coming years. The electrofishing catch rates have remained above the target of 60 bass per hour since 2019. For 2026, most bass over the minimum length limit will range from 15” – 20” and weigh 1.8 – 4.5 pounds.

Bluegill

Good

Bluegill were not sampled in the 2025 survey. However, trend data suggests that Bluegill fishing will remain good in 2026, despite their overall size structure being hindered by the dense Gizzard Shad population, with most fish between 5” – 7” long and weighing 0.11 – 0.28 pounds.

Channel Catfish

Improving

Channel Catfish in Raccoon Lake should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Average body condition improved (Wr=102) and the electrofishing catch rate increased to 25 per hour. All the adult Channel Catfish sampled in 2025 were 16” or longer, and 98% were longer than 18”. Supplemental stockings, along with the elimination of trot lining and jug fishing, should continue to help to improve the size structure of the Channel Catfish population in the coming years. In 2026, anglers could expect to see many fish over 20” that weigh 3.5 – 6 pounds, with larger fish exceeding 7 pounds.