Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

99

2023

Rainbow Trout

Adult

4005

2023

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

11132

2024

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3300

2024

Muskellunge

Adult

96

2024

Rainbow Trout

Adult

4114

2024

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

10974

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Average

The Bluegill population was sampled by an extrapolated 364 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current Bluegill population is rated as below average with the larger fish up to 7.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition. The competition with the Gizzard Shad has reduced the Bluegill condition and growth rate.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

In 2024, the Channel Catfish population was sampled by 26 fish in the spring trap net survey and 18 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current Channel Catfish population is rated as excellent with the larger fish up to 26 inches in length and approximately 20% of the fish over 18 inches in length. This population is of high density and in good body condition. Little Grassy Hatchery stocked 3,300 fish at 4.0 inches in 2024. An annual stocking of non-vulnerable Channel Catfish had occurred in the past. These stockings had established a high-density population, and the stocking has now been adjusted to every other year stocking starting in 2016. No Channel Catfish were stocked in 2023.

CRAPPIE

Average

In 2024, the white and black crappie populations were sampled by spring trap nets and fall D.C. electrofishing. A total of 92 stock-size Black Crappie and 501 stock-size White Crappie were collected in these surveys. The Black Crappie populations can be described as average with most of the fish under 10 inches and in average body condition. The White Crappie population is described as average with approximately 10 percent of the fish over 10 inches in length and a good average body condition. In 2017, the crappie regulation was changed from a 9-inch minimum length limit and 10 fish daily harvest limit, to a 25 fish daily harvest limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches. The goal of the new regulation is to allow the harvest of more of the slower growing black crappie, while maintaining and promoting the population structure of crappie over 10 inches in length. The white and black crappie populations have had an average rating in recent history. The Black Crappie population has been slow growing and predominately under 9.5 inches in length, while the White Crappie population has been predominately under 10 inches in length. Very large hybrid crappie have been sampled each year during the spring trap net surveys. In 2024, one fish reached 18.3 inches in length at 4.3 pounds! To evaluate the ability to enhance this part of the crappie population, a hybrid crappie stocking project was started in 2023. On 10/27/2023, approximately 1000 2-inch (Blacknose Male x White Female) F1 hybrid crappie were stocked into Argyle Lake. A majority of these fish will display the “blacknose” trait for future identification. Additional stockings of larger sized hybrid crappie will be attempted in 2025. The crappie population size and growth indices do not appear to have improved since the regulation change. The new regulation will continue to be evaluated to these indices.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Excellent

The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated by 218 bass, stock size or larger, from electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 4.0 to 21 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2017, the bass regulation for Argyle Lake was changed from a 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and/or 5 fish less than 12 inches daily, to a protected slot length limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the new bass regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches. The 2024 electrofishing survey was very close to the 5-year average with the average body condition was at a Wr of 97. These values are extremely good! The new regulation will continue to be evaluated to these indices.

MUSKELLUNGE

Good

In 2024, the Muskie population was surveyed by 6 stock sized fish in the spring trap net survey and 1 stock sized fish in the fall electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 25.1 to 37.5 inches long. The body condition of these fish was very good. The CPUE for the spring trap nets was .3 fish per net night in 2024,.45 fish per net night in 2023,.95 fish per net night in 2022, and .4 fish per net night in 2021. The Argyle Lake Management Plan objective is a CPUE of at least .3 fish per net night. A low density of quality size muskie are present. Jake Wolf Hatchery stocked 96 muskie at 12.85 inches on 9/17/2024. 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.

RAINBOW TROUT

Good

In 2024, Jake Wolf Hatchery stocked 4,034 Rainbow Trout at an average size of 11 inches on 10/4/2024, and a bonus 80 fish that were 22 inches in length. These fish are annually stocked for the catch able trout program.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Poor

The Redear Sunfish population was sampled by 0 fish in the spring trap net survey and 2 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as below average with the larger fish under 9.0 inches in length. This population is of very low density and in poor body condition.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Good

In 2024, the Saugeye population was sampled by 17 fish in the spring trap net survey and 44 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current Saugeye population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 29 inches in length and approximately 50% of the fish were over 18 inches in length. The CPUE for electrofishing was.16 per minute in 2024. The CPUE for the spring trap nets was .9 fish per net night in 2024, 1.05 fish per net night in 2023, 1.1 fish per net night in 2022, and .85 fish per net night in 2021. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition. LaSalle Hatchery stocked 10,974 saugeye at 1.3 inches on 5/24/2024. An annual stocking of 10,000 saugeye at 2 inches is requested each year. In 2024, the new state record saugeye was caught by Mr. Michael Farniok on 6/2/2024. The fish weighed 10.85 pounds and was 29 1/8th inches long!

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