Big Elkhart Lake 2011/2012 Comprehensive Fisheries Survey
Methods Fyke nets – Fished April 12 – May 13, 2011 for northern pike, walleye and muskellunge – Fished April 2 – 13, 2012 for muskellunge recapture Electrofishing 2011 – May 4 th walleye recapture – May 24 th bass and panfish – Fall electrofishing
Methods
Results Captured 38 musky 2011 and 34 in 2012 – Adult population estimate 84 fish or ~0.3/acre (statewide average 0.38/acre) – Average length 35 inches for adult males and 39 inches for adult females – Maximum length was a 49.4 inch female
Results
Captured 210 walleye during 2011 fyke netting and electrofishing – Adult population estimate 383 fish or ~1.3/acre (low density, 2/acre average for a stocked system) – Average length was 24 inches and maximum length was 29 inches – Growth roughly equal to statewide average
Results
Captured 76 largemouth bass during electrofishing – Average length 11.4 inches and maximum length 17.9 inches – Catch per effort was 17/mile (relatively low)
Results
Captured 58 smallmouth bass netting and electrofishing combined – Average length 14.6 inches and maximum length 21.1 inches – Catch per effort 7/mile (relatively low)
Results
Captured 98 northern pike netting – Adult population estimate 220 fish or 0.8/acre (low density) – Average length 23.6 inches and maximum length 34.2 inches
Results
Table 18. Panfish catch statistics for Elkhart Lake. Fish were captured by fyke net during the 2011 portion of a two year comprehensive fisheries assessment. SpeciesNumber CaughtCPEMean Length (in)St. Dev.Max Length (in) Black Crappie Bluegill Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Yellow Perch Table 18. Panfish catch statistics for Elkhart Lake. Fish were captured by electrofishing during the 2011 portion of a two year comprehensive fisheries assessment. SpeciesNumber CaughtCPEMean Length (in)St. Dev.Max Length (in) Black Crappie Bluegill Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Yellow Perch
Results
Management Recommendations Monitor the muskellunge population and reevaluate size structure, abundance and growth in the next survey. Propose an 18 inch minimum length and 3 fish daily bag limit to help maintain an adult walleye density of at least 2/acre. Monitor the northern pike population and reevaluate size structure, abundance and growth in the next survey. Monitor the panfish community and reevaluate size structure, abundance and growth in the next survey. Monitor the largemouth and smallmouth bass populations and reevaluate size structure, abundance and growth in the next survey.
Other Fisheries Related News Cisco survey – Highest catch rate in the state in 2013 – Scheduled for trend surveys by research division
Other Fisheries Related News Brood lake for Great Lakes Spotted Musky Program First stocked in 2009, recent stockings seem to be more successful First collection possible 2019 or 2020
Waterbody NameYearSpeciesStrain StockAge ClassNumber Fish Stocked ELKHART LAKE2015MUSKELLUNGEGREAT LAKES SPOTTEDFALL YEARLING875 ELKHART LAKE2014WALLEYELAKE MICHIGANLARGE FINGERLING1456 ELKHART LAKE2013MUSKELLUNGEGREAT LAKES SPOTTEDFALL YEARLING198 ELKHART LAKE2013WALLEYEUNSPECIFIEDLARGE FINGERLING2858 ELKHART LAKE2012WALLEYEROCK-FOXSMALL FINGERLING7710 ELKHART LAKE2010WALLEYEROCK-FOXSMALL FINGERLING10010 ELKHART LAKE2010MUSKELLUNGEGREAT LAKES SPOTTEDYEARLING53 ELKHART LAKE2009MUSKELLUNGEGREAT LAKES SPOTTEDYEARLING300 ELKHART LAKE2008WALLEYEMISSISSIPPI HEADWATERSSMALL FINGERLING10016 ELKHART LAKE2006WALLEYEMISSISSIPPI HEADWATERSSMALL FINGERLING10010 ELKHART LAKE2004WALLEYELAKE MICHIGANSMALL FINGERLING28600 ELKHART LAKE2004MUSKELLUNGEUNSPECIFIEDYEARLING68 ELKHART LAKE2003MUSKELLUNGEUNSPECIFIEDLARGE FINGERLING300 ELKHART LAKE2003WALLEYEUNSPECIFIEDLARGE FINGERLING2 ELKHART LAKE2002WALLEYEMISSISSIPPI HEADWATERSSMALL FINGERLING25410 ELKHART LAKE2000WALLEYEUNSPECIFIEDSMALL FINGERLING28600 ELKHART LAKE1998WALLEYEUNSPECIFIEDSMALL FINGERLING27339 ELKHART LAKE1996WALLEYEUNSPECIFIEDFINGERLING16300 ELKHART LAKE1995WALLEYEUNSPECIFIEDFINGERLING7000