Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2020

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

4000

2021

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

4000

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLACK CRAPPIE

Average

Black crappie have become the more numerous/dominant species in recent years. Black crappie average body condition was at the lake management plan minimum target. Black crappie average body condition was good and improved above their lake management plan target. Nearly 60% of the adult black crappie were in the 8” – 10” size range and 20% exceeded 9”. Anglers can expect to see most fish in the 8” – 10” range, with black crappie being the more prevalent species. However, small fish of both species will also be abundant. Most black crappie caught will likely weigh between 0.25 and 0.5 pounds and larger white crappie may weigh more than 1 pound. Harvest of smaller crappie at Sam Parr Lake is encouraged.

BLUEGILL

Poor

Size structure of the bluegill population remained stable and poor. Average body condition remained above the lake management plan target. The bluegill sample collected in 2021 continued to be comprised almost entirely of fish under 7” in length. The precipitous decline in the quality of the bluegill population coincided with the 2005 appearance of gizzard shad. Anglers can expect most fish to range from 5” – 7” and weigh from 0.1 – 0.22 pounds.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Very Good

Catfish remain relatively abundant in Sam Parr Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Most fish will range from 1 – 4 pounds with a few larger fish over 5 pounds. This lake provides many bank fishing opportunities. The best places to fish include the rip-rap along the dam, the upper ends of the two main arms of the lake, and in the backs of coves. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

All of the largemouth bass size structure indices met their lake management plan goals. The electrofishing catch rate decreased from the 2020 survey but remained well above the target. Approximately 27% of the adult bass in the sample were larger than the 14” minimum length limit. Average body condition remained below the lake management plan target, but the body condition of bass over 16” was very good. The discrepancy in body condition is likely a result of the strong gizzard shad population in the lake. Nearly 50% of the gizzard shad collected in recent surveys have exceeded 7” in length and have not been available as a prey source for the smaller bass. In 2022, anglers can expect most keeper bass to be 1.3 – 5 pounds with a few larger fish over 6 pounds.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Fair

The white crappie sample collected in 2021 was comprised mostly of a few larger and older fish and a strong class of fish below 8”. Harvest of smaller crappie at Sam Parr Lake is encouraged.

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