Camp Lake Fishing guide

Black Crappie abundance was low in 2024 (0.11 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (1.42 fish/trapnet). No Black Crappie were caught in the gillnets. The 2024 Black Crappie average size was small (0.13 pounds and 6.38 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets.

Bluegill abundance was moderate in 2024 (29.33 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 50.54 fish/trapnet. The 2024 Bluegill average size was small (0.05 pounds and 4.08 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.13 pounds from trapnets. Only 1% of the Bluegill captured were over 6.00 inches in the 2024 gillnets and trapnets. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.31 inches. Bluegill growth rates were generally below the area normal ranges. The 2021 year class comprised 43% of the 2024 Bluegill survey catch.

Largemouth Bass abundance was high in 2024 (78.89 fish/hour). The Largemouth Bass average size was large (2.66 pounds and 16.66 inches) from the 2024 spring electrofishing survey. Approximately 54% of the Largemouth Bass captured were 17.00 inches or larger from spring electrofishing. The largest Largemouth Bass was 19.61 inches in the 2024 spring electrofishing survey. The Largemouth Bass catch rate was 45.23 fish/hour (2.45 pounds average weight) in the previous 2015 spring electrofishing survey. The 2024 spring night electrofishing survey sampled the entire near shore areas during spawning conditions like past surveys. Largemouth Bass growth rates were within or above the area normal ranges for ages 1-8. The 2016 and 2017 year classes comprised 23% and 20% respectively of the 2024 Largemouth Bass Spring Electrofishing catch.

Northern Pike abundance was high in 2024 (15.67 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 9.52 fish/gillnet. The 2024 Northern Pike average size was small (2.57 pounds and 22.68 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.95 pounds from gillnets. Approximately 47% of the Northern Pike captured were 24.00 inches or larger from gillnets and trapnets combined. The largest Northern Pike captured was 29.76 inches. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Camp in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two Northern Pike longer than 26.00 inches; and all from 22.00 to 26.00 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one Northern Pike may be between 22.00 and 26.00 inches or two larger than 26.00 inches.

Walleye abundance was moderate in 2024 (8.33 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 6.30 fish/gillnet. The 2024 Walleye average size was moderate (2.18 pounds and 17.91 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.24 pounds from gillnets. Approximately 69% of the Walleye captured were 15.00 inches and larger from gillnets and trapnets combined. The largest Walleye captured was 26.54 inches. Walleye growth rates were within the normal ranges compared to area lakes. The 2019 and 2022 year classes comprised 32% and 28% respectively of the 2024 summer survey catch.

Occasional Walleye natural reproduction has been documented in Camp during high water periods, especially when the access gravel parking lot and road have flooded. Recent Walleye stockings occurred in 2016 (99,788 fry), 2017 (98,358 fry; 2,608 fingerlings, 207 pounds; 460 yearlings, 238 pounds; 4 adults, 7 pounds), 2019 (2,700 fingerlings, 300 pounds), 2022 (76,262 fry), 2023 (48,178 fry; 2,784 fingerlings, 116 pounds) and 2024 (50,967 fry; 403 fingerlings, 96 pounds; 154 yearlings, 96 pounds). Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye were captured in 2007 (83.08 YOY/hour, 6.55 inches), 2009 (198.00 YOY/hour, 6.02 inches), 2011 (124.00 YOY/hour, 6.03 inches) and 2013 (49.66 YOY/hour, 6.77 inches) fall electrofishing surveys. Low YOY Walleye numbers (<7.00 YOY/hour) were captured in the 2015-17 fall electrofishing surveys. YOY Walleye catch rates were also low in 2019 (2.86 YOY/hour, 7.09 inches) and 2024 (8.00 YOY/hour, 6.46 inches). Walleye fingerlings and yearlings were stocked in the 2024 fall due to low YOY numbers from the recent fry stockings.

Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2024 (15.33 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (38.73 fish/gillnet). The 2024 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.11 pounds and 6.20 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.12 pounds from gillnets. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 7.36 inches.

Other notable fish species captured or not captured in the 2024 survey nets included low numbers of Golden Shiner (0.44 fish/trapnet), Hybrid Sunfish (2.44 fish/trapnet), Pumpkinseed Sunfish (0.22 fish/trapnet), Brown Bullhead (0.11 fish/trapnet) and White Sucker (0.33 fish/gillnet); and no Common Carp, Black Bullhead or Yellow Bullhead. Historical average catch rates were 0.12 Golden Shiner/trapnet, 1.06 Hybrid Sunfish/trapnet, 1.39 Pumpkinseed Sunfish/trapnet, 2.08 White Sucker/gillnet, 1.15 Brown Bullhead/trapnet, 4.36 Black Bullhead/trapnet and 0.00 Common Carp/gillnet for Camp Lake.

Current fish management activities on Camp include protecting the important aquatic habitats such as emergent and submergent vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking Walleye as warranted. All fish species will be sampled in 2029.