Coon-Sandwick Lake Fishing guide

Coon-Sandwick has a history of poor Northern Pike size structure. Special regulations have been in place since the early 1990s to improve the pike size structure and provide better angling for larger pike. Most recently, a 24-to-36-inch protected slot has been in place since 2007. The Lake Management Plan (LMP) was last revised in 2014. The goal of the LMP was to reduce the Northern Pike gill-net catch to 6.8/net (lake class average) with the proportion of fish exceeding 21 and 28 inches exceeding 50 and 25, with fish over 34 inches present. A standard lake survey was completed in 2022 to evaluate the effectiveness of the special Pike regulation and determine the status of the fish community. This assessment consisted of 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets compared to previous surveys which have used as many as 12 gill nets. The number of gill nets was reduced from 12 to 6 due to high pike catches and a concern for mortality of quality sized pike, and due to limited water >9 feet deep for setting gill nets. Catch rate data should be interpreted cautiously, given this reduction in gill net effort.

The Northern Pike catch rate of 11.8 per gill net was lower than the previous survey but was still high compared to similar lakes and above average for Coon-Sandwick. When Northern Pike occur at high densities, average size is typically small, and growth is often poor. Pike from Coon-Sandwick contradict this general trend, however, as size structure was favorable and length indices improved substantially compared to pre-regulation sampling. Pike ranged from 11.2 to 31.4 inches and averaged 23.2 inches in 2022. Seventy-six percent of the sampled pike exceeded 21 inches and 13% exceeded 28 inches. Over fifty percent of the sampled pike exceeded 24 inches and 4.2% exceeded 30 inches. Ages 1 through 9 were represented in the sample and growth was considered average. Pike averaged 23.8 inches after 5 years of growth. It appears that the special regulation has continued to contribute to exceptional angling opportunities for catching quality-sized fish.

Yellow Perch were the most common fish in the gill net catch. Coon-Sandwick has a history of moderate perch catches with a population dominated by small, slowing growing fish. The catch of 13 per gill net was typical compared to similar lakes and average for Coon-Sandwick. Size structure was poor as perch ranged from 5.5 to 7.8 inches. Although perch from Coon-Sandwick are too small to interest most anglers, they provide an important prey item for predators such as Northern Pike and Walleye. Given the relatively good catch rate compared to past sampling, Yellow Perch appear to be sustaining themselves despite high Northern Pike abundance.

Coon-Sandwick has a history of poor Walleye catches, despite frequent DNR stocking. It should be noted that lakes with habitats like Coon-Sandwick typically do not produce large Walleye populations. The catch in 2022 (1.5/net) was typical for similar lakes and average for Coon-Sandwick. Too few Walleye were captured to accurately assess age and size structure, but at least some quality fish were present, as Walleye up to 25.7 inches were captured.

Bluegills were the most common fish present in the trap net and the catch of 15.1 per net was typical compared to similar lakes and for Coon-Sandwick. Lakes with similar habitats typically produce slow growing Bluegill with limited growth potential and poor size structures. Size structure in Coon-Sandwick has historically been poor and remained so in 2022. Trap net caught Bluegill ranged from 3.2 to 8.3 inches with a mean of 5.7 inches. Only 1% of Bluegill exceeded 8 inches. The popularity of the Bluegill fishery is likely limited by poor growth rates and size structure.

Black Crappie have been captured in moderate numbers in past assessments and size structure has been described as poor. Crappie were captured in average numbers in 2022, as both gill net and trap net catches resembled those from lakes with similar habitats. Size structure remained generally poor; gill-net sampled crappie ranged from 4.8 to 9.9 inches with an average of around 7 inches. Crappie populations often exhibit irregular recruitment resulting in dominant year classes, shifting age and size structures, and inconsistent angler success. Ages 2 through 5 were represented in the sample and growth was considered average. Crappie averaged 7.1 inches after 4 years of growth. Coon-Sandwick likely has the potential to sporadically produce a quality crappie fishery, but high angler harvest and inconsistent recruitment may limit the number of quality fish.

Largemouth Bass were captured in relatively high numbers from trap nets (1/net) compared to similar lakes. Size structure was good as bass ranged from 6.7 to 19.1 inches with a mean of 12.7 inches. Largemouth Bass are difficult to sample with standard netting and the presence of bass in the trap nets suggest that bass are likely an important component of the fishery. The habitat and Bluegill prey base suggest good conditions for Largemouth Bass and favorable angling opportunities likely exist.

Coon-Sandwick is infested with Eurasian Water Milfoil. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed, and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.