Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2021

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

4000

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

4000

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Good

Bluegill body condition improved slightly in 2022 and electrofishing catch rates decreased but remained high. Most adult bluegill in the sample were between 6” – 8” long, but no bluegill over 8” were collected. Approximately 21% of the adult bluegill sampled in 2022 were over 7” long, up from only 8% in 2021. Increased predation on smaller bluegill from the 7” – 12” size group of bass is likely responsible, in part, for the modest improvements in the bluegill population. However, bluegill in this lake will likely always be hindered by the presence of gizzard shad. Bluegill fishing in the coming year should be fair to good with the biggest fish near ⅓ of a pound.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Very Good

The channel catfish population is in good shape and their body condition is good (Wr = 99). Approximately 75% of the adult channel catfish collected were 16” or longer and 50% exceeded 18” in length. Channel catfish should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Channel catfish in the 1 – 4 pound range should be common, with some fish nearing 10 pounds.

CRAPPIE

Good

Both black and white crappie are abundant in the lake and the size structures for both of these populations are poor. Approximately, 12% of the adult white crappie in this year’s sample exceeded 9” in length and no fish over 10” were collected. No black crappie over 9” were collected. White crappie body condition was just below the lake management target and black crappie body condition was just over the target. Crappie fishing should be good in the coming year for catching abundant fish, but the size structure of fish caught will likely be poor. Most crappie in 2023 are expected to be between 6” – 9”, with a few fish possibly exceeding 10” and weighing more than ½ of a pound. Harvest of smaller crappie is encouraged.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Average

A small population of flathead catfish also exists in Borah Lake and two were collected in 2022. The smaller flathead catfish weighed 17 pounds and was 33” long and the larger fish was 35.7 pounds and 40” long.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

The size structure of the largemouth bass population was fair. Average body condition remained stable and above the lake management plan target. Electrofishing catch rates remained high, but the percentage of larger fish in the sample decreased from last year. Approximately 11% of the adult fish in the sample exceeded the 14” minimum length limit and 5% were 18” or longer. A large group of 7” – 12” bass were sampled this year, which may contribute to angler catches in the coming years. Average body condition is higher for fish greater than 15” than it is for smaller fish and is likely due to the gizzard shad forage base in this lake. Bass fishing should be fair to good in 2023 with most keeper fish ranging from 14” – 18” in length and weighing 1 – 3 pounds.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Very Good

The redear sunfish population in Borah Lake is doing very well. Average body condition was really good and catch rates remained high. Approximately 17% of the adult redear collected were over 9” long and 10% exceeded 10” in length. The redear sunfish population should provide quality opportunities for fishing in the coming year with some larger fish near 1 pound.

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