Eagle Lake Fishing guide

A standard lake survey was conducted in August 2016 to collect updated information on the fish population to revise the management plan. The survey utilized 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets set at various locations around the lake.

Net catches for Black Crappie were similar to previous surveys and within the expected range for lakes with similar habitats. Sampled crappie ranged from 4.9 to 11.3 inches. Crappie averaged 7.1 inches from trap nets and 10.3 inches from gill nets. Age analysis estimated six year classes were present. Ages 2 through 7 were represented indicating relatively consistent reproduction. Growth was similar to the statewide average, with crappie averaging 9.5 inches after five years of growth.

Lakes like Eagle Lake generally do not support sizable Walleye populations. Eagle Lake has typically produced a modest Walleye population maintained through limited natural reproduction and stocking. Walleye fingerling stocking was increased to 120 pounds in alternate years beginning in 2009, and continued through 2015, in an attempt to increase Walleye abundance. Despite the increase in fingerling stocking, the gill net catch in 2016 declined to a historical low and did not achieve the management plan goal. It appears Eagle Lake does not have the lake productivity or preyfish community to sustain a large Walleye population. Increased stocking in lakes of this type may negatively impact prey species, and higher Walleye catches occurred during periods of less frequent stocking. Yellow Perch catches have historically been low in Eagle Lake, and in 2016 no perch were captured in the gill nets. The few Walleye from the gill net sample ranged from 16 to 19 inches and were all attributed to the 2011 year class, which was a stocked year.

The 2016 Northern Pike gill net catch was below the expected range for lakes with similar habitats but typical for Eagle Lake. Size structure of sampled pike was poor; only one fish exceeded 24 inches. Pike from the gill net sample ranged from 12.2 to 25.4 inches with mean length of 19.0 inches. Previous surveys described similar size structure and average growth. Age analysis from 2016 indicated regular natural reproduction with ages 1 through 5 represented. Growth was similar to the statewide average with pike averaging 19.4 inches after 4 years. The lack of fish over 24 inches and older than age 5 suggests angling harvest may be reducing size quality.

A spring night electrofishing assessment for Largemouth Bass indicated a healthy population. Bass were captured in numbers similar to the previous survey with a variety of year classes represented. Most of the bass in the sample ranged from 12 to 16 inches. Ages 4 through 8 made up a majority of the sample. Growth was slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 13.5 inches after six years.

Bluegill numbers in Eagle Lake have generally been low. The 2016 catch was below the expected range for lakes with similar habitats but typical for Eagle Lake. Size structure was modest; fish from the trap net sample ranged from 3.2 to 8.3 inches with an average length of 5.8 inches. The lake historically has not produced many Bluegill exceeding eight inches, although two Bluegill over nine inches were captured in gill nets. No age and growth information was collected for Bluegill.

Other species sampled in this survey included Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass and Yellow Bullhead.

As lakes like Eagle become increasingly more developed, lakeshore owners will have a larger impact on their future. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. Although the effect of land use decisions on one lake lot may seem relatively small, the cumulative impact of many lakeshore owners "fixing up" their property can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, installing sand beach blankets, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge and failing septic systems all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations.