East Solomon Lake Fishing guide

Black Crappie were abundant in 2025 (6.40 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical catch rate (1988-present) is 5.50 fish/trapnet. Abundant numbers of small sized Black Crappie were also present in the 2025 gillnets (25.25 fish/gillnet, 0.13 pounds average weight). The 2025 Black Crappie average size was small (0.28 pounds and 7.29 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.32 pounds from trapnets. The 2025 catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) Black Crappie was moderate (2.6 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie growth rates were excellent for ages 1-6. The 2024 and 2023 year classes comprised 73% and 22% respectively of the 2025 Black Crappie catch. The largest Black Crappie captured was 13.90 inches in 2025.

Bluegill numbers were low in 2025 (2.30 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical catch rate (1988-present) is 9.31 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.17 pounds and 5.38 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.28 pounds from trapnets. The Bluegill catch rate of 6.00 inches and larger was low (1.00 fish/trapnet). The largest Bluegill captured was 8.66 inches in 2025.

Largemouth Bass were abundant (104.40 fish/hour) in the 2025 early May (pre-spawn) spring night electrofishing survey. The 2025 Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (1.35 pounds and 11.98 inches) from spring electrofishing. Largemouth Bass abundance was low (11.47 fish/hour, 1.82 pounds average weight) in the previous 2014 spring electrofishing survey. The Largemouth Bass catch rate of 15.00 inches and larger was high (28.8 fish/hour). Largemouth Bass growth rates were excellent for ages 1-8. The largest Largemouth Bass was 21.18 inches in the 2025 survey. Approximately 58% of the Largemouth Bass were from the 2023 year class in the spring electrofishing survey.

Northern Pike were abundant in 2025 (12.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical catch rate (1988-present) is 4.07 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was moderate (2.78 pounds and 22.96 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 4.26 pounds from gillnets. The Northern Pike catch rate of 22.00 - 26.00 inches was high (3.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike catch rate of 26.00 inches and larger was also high (2.50 fish/gillnet). The largest Northern Pike captured was 33.35 inches in 2025. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for East Solomon 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 numbers were low in 2025 (4.50 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical catch rate (1988-present) is 8.41 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Walleye average size was large (3.09 pounds and 20.19 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.64 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 catch rate of Walleye 15.00 inches and larger was low (4.50 fish/gillnet). The Walleye catch rate of 20.00 inches and larger was moderate (2.50 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were normal for ages 1-4, but slow for ages 5-8. The 2023 year class (fry and fingerling stocked year) comprised 33% of the 2025 Walleye catch. Older Walleye (ages 10-18) comprised 54% of the 2025 Walleye Catch. The oldest Walleye was an 18-year-old female (22.6 inches). The largest Walleye captured was 28.15 inches in 2025.

Walleye natural reproduction in East Solomon is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Fall night electrofishing surveys have been conducted to primarily evaluate Walleye fry stockings in East Solomon. Low YOY numbers (4.00 YOY/hour, 7.15 inches) were captured in the 2025 fall night electrofishing survey. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (48.00 YOY/hour, 6.84 inches) were captured in the previous 2019 fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye were absent in 2018 and 2017 fall night electrofishing surveys. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (49.09 YOY/hour, 5.23 inches) were captured in the 2015 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (360.00 YOY/hour, 6.26 inches) were captured in 2013 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY numbers were captured in 2009 (102.00 YOY/hour, 5.86 inches). The highest fall night electrofishing catch rate of YOY Walleye occurred in 2007 (563.99 YOY/hour, 5.46 inches average length) for a fry stocked year. Variable Walleye fry numbers (200,000-1,200,000 fish per stocking) were stocked into East Solomon during 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017-2019, 2022-2025. In 2025, 302,719 Walleye fry were stocked in East Solomon. Walleye fingerlings were last stocked in 2023 (21,204 fish, 558 pounds). Present high abundance of adult Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass may be impacting low YOY Walleye numbers by predation in East Solomon.

Yellow Perch were abundant in 2025 (28.25 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate (1988-present) is 12.56 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.10 pounds and 6.09 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight was 0.15 pounds from gillnets.

Black Bullhead were abundant in 2025 (24.50 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate (1988-present) is 13.99 fish/gillnet for East Solomon. The 2025 Black Bullhead average size was large (0.61 pounds and 9.94 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.64 pounds from gillnets.

Common Carp abundance was low in 2025 (1.20 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp historical average catch rate (1988-present) is 2.40 fish/trapnet for East Solomon. The 2025 Common Carp average size was large (10.68 pounds and 27.64 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 7.48 pounds from trapnets.

Current fish management activities on East Solomon include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the county with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The East Solomon fishery will be sampled in the 2030 summer for all fish species.