Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3300

2022

Muskellunge

Adult

95

2022

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

12126

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

99

2023

Rainbow Trout

Adult

4005

2023

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

11132

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Average

The bluegill population was sampled by an extrapolated 880 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 average body condition with a Wr average of 88. The competition with the gizzard shad has reduced the bluegill condition and growth rate.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

In 2022, the channel catfish population was sampled by 28 fish in the spring trap net survey and 40 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current channel catfish population is rated as excellent with the larger fish up to 24 inches in length and approximately 50% of the fish over 18 inches in length. This population is of high density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 95. Little Grassy hatchery stocked 3,300 fish at 7.4 inches in 2022. 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 an every other year stocking starting in 2016. No channel catfish were stocked in 2021.

CRAPPIE

Good

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. The 6-year averages from 2012 to 2017 were an RSD9 of 33, and RSD10 of 6 and RSD11 of 1 for black crappie. The 6-year averages from 2012 to 2017 were and an RSD9 of 38, an RSD10 of 22 and an RSD11 of 8. And the Wr averages were 89 for black crappie and 90 for white crappie.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Excellent

In 2022, a spring trap net survey and a fall D.C. boat electrofishing was used to survey the fish population. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 198 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 6-year averages from 2012 thru 2017 were RSD15 of 36, RSD16 of 20, RSD18 of 6, and a RSD19 of 3. And a 6-year average CPUE of .9 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. boat electrofishing. The 5-year averages from 2018 thru 2022 were RSD15 of 45, RSD16 of 36, RSD18 of 18, and a RSD19 of 11. And a 5-year average CPUE of 1.4 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. boat electrofishing. The 2022 electrofishing survey was very close to this 5-year average with the RSD15 of 41, RSD16 of 31, RSD18 of 13, and RSD19 of 10. The average body condition was at a Wr of 98. These values are extremely good! The new regulation will continue to be evaluated to these indices.

MUSKELLUNGE

Very Good

In 2022, the muskie population was surveyed by 8 fish in the spring trap net survey and 8 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 12 to 43 inches long. The body condition of these fish was very good at an average Wr of 99. The CPUE for the spring trap nets was .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 95 muskie at 12.5 inches on 9/27/2022 and 93 muskie at 13 inches in 2021. No muskie were stocked in 2020 due to Covid brood fish collection work restrictions. 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 2022, Crystal Lake hatchery stocked approximately 4,000 pounds of rainbow trout in October. These fish are annually stocked for the catch able trout program. The fall 2022 electrofishing survey collected 95 of these fish and they averaged 11.6 inches in length.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Average

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 2 fish in the spring trap net survey and 0 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 10.0 inches in length. This population is of very low density and in poor body condition with a Wr average of 80.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Good

In 2022, the saugeye population was sampled by 20 fish in the spring trap net survey and 8 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current saugeye population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 27 inches in length and approximately 75% of the fish were over 18 inches in length. The CPUE for electrofishing was .07 per minute in 2022, and .25 per minute in 2021. The CPUE for the spring trap nets was 1.1 fish were net night in 2022, and .85 fish per net night in 2021. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 94. LaSalle Hatchery stocked 12,126 saugeye at 1.7 inches on 5/31/2022. An annual stocking of 10,000 saugeye at 2 inches is requested each year.

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