Eagle Lake Fishing guide

Emergent vegetation (cattails) was sparse in Eagle Lake during 2025. Hardstem bulrush transplanting was attempted during 1994 along the south and west shores of the lake. Bulrush transplants were present at most sites the following year in 1995; however, the stands did not increase in size. Wind and wave action was detrimental to the newly transplanted stands, especially along the south shore as time progressed. There was only 1 bulrush (west shore) stand remaining by 2003. Currently there are no bulrush stands present in Eagle Lake. Historical chemical applications of copper sulfate, lack of cooperating landowners, and undesirable wind/wave fetch conditions make future hardstem bulrush transplanting success unlikely in Eagle. Submergent vegetation species commonly occurring include clasping-leaf pondweed, muskgrass, narrow-leaf pondweed, water moss, sago pondweed, coontail and filamentous algae. Submergent vegetation densities are the highest along the extended shallow shelves of the near shore areas. Shoalwater substrates are mostly sand, gravel, rubble, and silt.

Black Crappie were absent in the 2025 gillnets. The Black Crappie historical average catch rate (1978-present) was 0.97 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Black Crappie trapnet catch rate (0.17 fish/trapnet) was low and below the historical average (3.16 fish/trapnet). The 2025 Black Crappie average size was large (0.54 pounds and 9.72 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.39 pounds from trapnets. Abundant numbers of small (< 4 inches) Black Crappie were observed in the 2025 YOY Walleye fall electrofishing survey. The largest Black Crappie captured was 11.10 inches in 2025.

Northern Pike were abundant in 2025 (12.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate (1978-present) is 2.80 fish/gillnet for Eagle. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was fair (2.87 pounds and 23.52 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.17 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 catch rates of Northern Pike 22.00 - 26.00 inches were high (7.00 fish/gillnet and 1.25 fish/trapnet). The 2025 catch rates of Northern Pike 26.00 inches and larger were also high (1.75 fish/gillnet and 0.33 fish/trapnet). The largest Northern Pike captured was 32.36 inches in 2025. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Eagle 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.

Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2025 (3.50 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate (1978-present) is 37.08 fish/gillnet for Eagle. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.08 pounds and 5.76 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.12 pounds. Abundant numbers of small (< 4 inches) Yellow Perch were observed during the 2025 fall YOY Walleye electrofishing survey. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 6.38 inches in 2025.

Walleye abundance was fair (5.25 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The Walleye historical average catch rate (1978-present) is 13.42 fish/gillnet for Eagle. The 2025 Walleye average size was moderate (1.94 pounds and 17.04 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.45 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 catch rate of quality (15.00 inches and larger) sized Walleye was low (3.50 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were normal for ages 1-4 and above normal for ages 5-8. The 2022 and 2021 year classes comprised 32% and 25% respectively of the 2025 Walleye gillnet and trapnet catch. The largest Walleye captured was 25.00 inches in 2025.

The Walleye population in Eagle Lake is due primarily to stocking, but limited Walleye natural reproduction has been documented by past surveys. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (36.00 YOY/hour, 6.56 inches) were captured in the 2025 fall night electrofishing survey. Yearling Walleye numbers were low (2.00 fish/hour, 10.53 inches) in the 2025 fall electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye were low to moderate in fry stocked years of 2021 (10.50 YOY/hour, 6.65 inches), 2022 (22.50 YOY/hour, 5.54 inches). No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2023 fry stocked year. YOY Walleye were abundant (135.00 YOY/hour, 6.26 inches) in the 2018 fall electrofishing survey (fry stocked). Low YOY Walleye numbers (4.50 YOY/hour, 6.86 inches) were captured during a 2016 (fry stocked) fall electrofishing survey. A fall electrofishing survey was conducted in 2014 (no fry stocking), but zero YOY Walleye were captured indicating no natural reproduction. Eagle Lake was recently stocked with Walleye in 2011 (1,000,481 fry), 2012 (1,365 fingerlings, 100 pounds; 2,890 yearlings, 859 pounds), 2014 (24,510 fingerlings, 1,195 pounds), 2016 (822,491 fry; 14,934 fingerlings, 1,195 pounds; 935 yearlings, 284.5 pounds; 24 adults, 30 pounds), 2018 (955,220 fry), 2021 (548,317 fry), 2022 (567,731 fry), 2023 (349,536 fry; 18,412 fingerlings, 493 pounds), 2024 (350,890 fry) and 2025 (452,033 fry).

Bluegill abundance was low in 2025 (4.00 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate (1978-present) is 37.36 fish/trapnet in Eagle. No Bluegill were captured in the gillnets. The 2025 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.22 pounds and 6.08 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.14 pounds from trapnets. The Bluegill catch rate of preferred (8.00 inches and larger) size was low (1.08 fish/trapnet) in 2025. Bluegill growth rates in Eagle were normal for ages 1-3 and above normal for ages 4-7. The 2023 year class comprised 49% of the 2025 Bluegill trapnet catch in Eagle Lake. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.98 inches.

Black Bullhead abundance was low in 2025 (0.50 fish/trapnet). Black Bullhead abundance was also low (0.25 fish/gillnet) in the 2025 gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average catch rates (1978-present) are 13.08 fish/gillnet and 4.36 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Black Bullhead average size was moderate (0.36 pounds and 8.45 inches) from trapnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.61 pounds. The largest Black Bullhead captured was 11.14 inches in 2025.

Yellow Bullhead abundance was high in 2025 (3.17 fish/trapnet). The 2025 Yellow Bullhead average size was large (0.89 pounds, 11.44 inches) from trapnets. The largest Yellow Bullhead captured was 14.80 inches in 2025.

Freshwater Drum abundance was fair in 2025 gillnets (2.50 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rate (1978-present) is 4.50 fish/gillnet. However, Freshwater Drum were abundant in the 2025 trapnets (5.08 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (0.93 fish/trapnet). The 2025 Freshwater Drum average size was large (3.26 pounds and 18.35 inches) from gillnets, but smaller in the trapnets (1.85 pounds and 16.01 inches). The Freshwater Drum historical average weight is 1.64 pounds and 3.49 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets. The largest Freshwater Drum captured was 25.39 inches in 2025.

Largemouth Bass abundance in 2025 (0.50 fish/trapnet) was slightly above the historical average (0.36 fish/trapnet). The 2025 Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (1.05 pounds and 10.85 inches) from trapnets. The largest Largemouth Bass was 18.11 inches in the 2025 trapnets. Largemouth Bass are generally not sampled effectively in gillnets or trapnets. Spring electrofishing is the preferred method of sampling Largemouth Bass populations. No spring electrofishing surveys were conducted for Largemouth Bass in Eagle Lake during 2014, 2020 or 2025. However, abundant numbers of adult Largemouth Bass were observed in the 2025 fall YOY Walleye electrofishing survey.

Smallmouth Bass abundance was moderate in 2025 (1.50 fish/gillnet) and above the historical average (0.62 fish/gillnet). The 2025 Smallmouth Bass average size was large (1.48 pounds and 13.33 inches) from gillnets. The largest Smallmouth Bass was 17.32 inches in 2025.

Other species captured included low numbers of Bigmouth Buffalo (0.17 fish/trapnet) and Highfin Carpsucker (0.08 fish/trapnet), but abundant numbers of Common Carp (1.58 fish/trapnet, 5.34 pounds average size).

Current fish management activities on Eagle Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, participating in local watershed initiatives, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Eagle Lake fishery will be surveyed in 2030 spring for Largemouth Bass and 2030 summer for all fish species. Fall night electrofishing will be conducted during odd years for YOY Walleye.