Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUE CATFISH

Developing

Blue Catfish were stocked into Vermont Lake by IDNR Fisheries in 2024. On 6/6 and 6/26 a total of 148 fish were transferred from Spring Lake near Macomb. These fish averaged over 12 inches in length and were all PIT tagged for later identification. On 10/2/2024 a total of 1,200 fish at an average length of 5.9 inches were stocked by Little Grassy Hatchery.

BLUEGILL

Poor

The bluegill population, catch per unit of effort, was 2.1 fish per minute in 2024. The Proportional Stock Density (PSD)value was low at 21, and the percentage of fish (RSD7) over 7 inches was awful at 0. The average body condition was good with average rating at 100. The bluegill population has been slow growing with stunting occurring before seven inches in length. This poor-quality bluegill fishery is mainly due to severe food and space competition with the carp, and gizzard shad.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

A quality Channel Catfish population appears to be present in Vermont Lake. The Relative weight (WR) was just good at a value of 100, and 53% of the population sampled was over 18 inches in length. The gizzard shad will provide a forage base for these larger fish. The turbid water conditions have permitted natural reproduction and recruitment to maintain the channel catfish population. A regulation of 6 fish daily harvest for Channel Catfish was established in 2024.

CRAPPIE

Average

In 2024, these populations were sampled by boat electrofishing. The white crappie population is doing very good, while the black crappie population has a decreased size structure. The white crappie are present in a much higher density of quality fish. The white crappie population values showed 25% of the fish over 10 inches and the black crappie values showed 0% of the fish over 10 inches. The WR (Relative weight) values were at 89 for white crappie and 91 for black crappie. In 2025, a moderate density of the fish will be available from 9 to 12 inches in length and in good body condition with the larger fish being white crappie. A 25 fish daily harvest with no size limit for Black, White and Hybrid Crappie in Vermont Lake was initiated in 2024.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Average

The 2024 electrofishing survey collected 10 Flathead Catfish from 6.9 inches to 35.5 inches in length, and indicates that a low-density population of Flathead Catfish is present in Vermont Lake. The collection and observation of Flathead Catfish under 10 inches in length indicates that the population is also maintaining recruitment. A high percent of the flathead catfish’s diet in Vermont Lake will be gizzard shad. Flathead catfish is a large predator fish that can consume gizzard shad that are too large for other gamefish. And the very large Flatheads will have the ability to eat the large common carp present.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

The 5/13/2024 boat electrofishing survey collected 52 Largemouth Bass from 4.6 to 22.9 inches in length. The electrofishing catch per unit for bass over 8 inches was at .6 fish/minute, which is below the goal of at least 1 fish per minute. The PSD was 64 and the RSD14 was 53. The size distribution and the percentage of bass over 16 and 18 inches was at a very good level in 2024. 40% of the bass were over 16 inches and 18% were over 18 inches. The body condition of bass at all sizes was good with an average Wr value of 94. Consistent recruitment of bass to this population maybe low. Food competition and/or the lack of desirable food (aquatic insects, larval fish) for young bass under nine inches is probably a major factor in poor recruitment of young bass to larger sizes in Vermont Lake. Once reaching approximately nine inches the bass are able to eat larger food (small fish) and not have the food source competition with crappie, bluegill, and carp. Supplemental largemouth bass stocking may occur when surplus fish are available from the state hatchery.

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