Green Lake Fishing guide

Submergent vegetation appeared less dense from 2021-2025 than previous survey years. Emergent vegetation such as Hardstem Bulrush is abundant in the outlet bay. A moderate stand of bulrush is present along the southeast shore. Zebra mussels were abundant on shoalwater substrates such as rubble and boulder throughout the littoral areas. Zebra Mussels have decreased free open water green algal abundance. This has resulted in lower densities of zooplankton, shifted energy and nutrient transfers from open water to bottom habitats, altered predator-prey relationships, decreased some fish species condition factors, and increased water clarity since 2014. Several other area lakes (Andrew, Diamond, Eagle, Elkhorn, George, Nest, Norway, and Games) were recently reported as infested with Zebra Mussels during 2017-2018.

Black Crappie abundance was high (2.73 fish/trapnet) in the 2025 trapnets. Black Crappie abundance was low (0.08 fish/gillnet) in 2025 gillnets. The historical average catch rates (1979-present) are 1.13 fish/trapnet and 1.23 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Black Crappie average sizes were moderate for fall gillnets (0.34 pounds and 8.58 inches), but large for fall trapnets (0.63 pounds and 10.23 inches). The historical average lengths are 8.18 inches and 8.36 inches respectively from gillnets and trapnets. Approximately 76% of the Black Crappie captured were 10.00 inches or larger in 2025 survey nets. The largest Black Crappie captured was 11.97 inches in 2025. Black Crappie growth rates were good to excellent for ages 1-5 in Green. The 2022 year class comprised 64% of the 2025 Black Crappie survey catch.

Bluegill abundance (27.07 fish/trapnet) was moderate for Green in 2025. The historical average trapnet catch (1979-present) is 44.48 fish/trapnet. Bluegill average size was small (0.13 pounds and 5.15 inches) from trapnets. The historical average length is 5.56 inches from trapnets. The largest Bluegill captured was 9.06 inches in 2025. About 6% of the Bluegill captured were 8.00 inches or larger in 2025 survey nets.

Largemouth Bass gillnet catch rate (0.58 fish/gillnet) was low in 2025. The historical average gillnet catch (1979-present) is 0.85 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Largemouth Bass gillnet average size was small (0.60 pounds and 10.48 inches). Moderate numbers of small sized Largemouth Bass (2.00 fish/trapnet, 6.66 inches average) were captured in the 2025 fall trapnets. The Largemouth Bass historical average trapnet catch is 0.56 fish/trapnet. The historical average lengths are 10.53 inches and 8.66 inches respectively from gillnets and trapnets.

Northern Pike abundance was moderate (3.33 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The historical average gillnet catch rate (1979-present) is 2.90 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was moderate (3.51 pounds and 24.81 inches) from gillnets. The historical average length is 23.24 inches. Approximately 38% of the Northern Pike captured were 26.00 inches or larger in 2025 survey nets. The largest Northern Pike captured was 33.39 inches in 2025. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Green 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.

Rock Bass abundance was moderate (8.92 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The historical average gillnet catch (1979-present) is 9.37 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Rock Bass average size was small (0.31 pounds and 7.09 inches) from gillnets. The historical average length is 7.76 inches from gillnets. The largest Rock Bass captured was 11.61 inches in 2025.

Smallmouth Bass abundance was low (1.08 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The historical average gillnet catch rate (1979-present) is 1.80 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Smallmouth Bass average size (0.95 pounds and 10.32 inches) was moderate from gillnets. The historical average length is 13.19 inches from gillnets. Approximately 23% of the Smallmouth Bass captured was 14.00 inches or larger in 2025 gillnets. The largest Smallmouth Bass captured was 19.69 inches in 2025.

Northern Crayfish (important prey species for Smallmouth Bass) numbers were moderate during 2025 (9.08 crayfish/gillnet) and 2024 (7.00 crayfish/gillnet), but high during 2023 (10.58 crayfish/gillnet), 2022 (20.50 crayfish/gillnet) and 2021 (16.58 crayfish/gillnet) fall surveys. Crayfish numbers were low in previous surveys from 2002-2020 (<3.00 crayfish/gillnet). Zebra Mussels are an important forage prey for Northern Crayfish. Zebra Mussels may cause a shift to greater numbers of benthic species such as Northern Crayfish and Yellow Perch which would be beneficial to Smallmouth Bass.

Tullibee gillnet catch rate was moderate (0.92 fish/gillnet) in the 2025 fall standard survey. Tullibee numbers were low in 2024 (0.08 fish/gillnet), 2023 (0.67 fish/gillnet), 2022 (0.08 fish/gillnet) and 2021 (0.17 fish/gillnet) fall standard surveys. Tullibee were absent in the 2020 September and summer gillnet catches. The Tullibee historical average standard survey catch rate (1979-present) is 1.66 fish/gillnet for Green Lake. Tullibee numbers were also low in the 2023 November Tullibee survey (4.00 fish/gillnet, 10.77 inches). The Tullibee average size was large (1.11 pounds and 14.43 inches) in the 2025 fall standard survey. The Tullibee historical average length is 10.81 inches. Tullibee growth rates were moderate for ages 1-6 in Green. The 2019 and 2021 year classes each comprised 36.5% of the 2025 tullibee survey catch. The 2022 year class comprised 27% of the 2025 tullibee survey catch.

Yellow Perch abundance was low (3.92 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The historical average gillnet catch rate (1979-present) is 10.47 fish/gillnet. The previous 2024 gillnet catch rate (13.42 fish/gillnet) was the highest recorded value since 2002. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.14 pounds and 6.76 inches). The historical average length is 6.45 inches. Approximately 4% of the Yellow Perch were 8.00 inches or larger in 2025 gillnets. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 8.15 inches.

Walleye fry have been stocked into Green with mostly Spicer and Pike River strains of varied amounts (0.5 to 2.5 million fish) from 2000-2013. Approximately 1 million Spicer strain fry were recently stocked in 2016 and 2018. Oxytetracycline "OTC" marked fry were stocked in Green during 2000-2013, 2016 and 2018. Various combinations of Walleye fingerlings, yearlings, or adults were stocked annually (2,000-4,000 pounds/year) from 2000-2017 into Green Lake. Pike River was the primary Walleye fingerling strain that was available and stocked into Green from 2000-2014. Spicer Area Walleye fingerling rearing ponds have been stocked with primarily the Spicer strain since 2015. Marked (fin clipped) Walleye adults and yearlings were stocked at (1,700-7,700 fish/per year) during 2017, 2020 and 2021. Low numbers of fin clipped adults and yearlings (200-450 fish/year) were stocked in 2022-2024. No Walleye were stocked into Green during 2025.

Low YOY Walleye numbers (7.50 YOY/hour, 6.13 inches) due to natural reproduction were captured in the 2025 fall night electrofishing survey. The yearling Walleye catch rate was high (64.50 fish/hour, 8.49 inches average) in the 2025 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (45.00 YOY/hour, 6.34 inches) due to natural reproduction were captured in the 2024 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of combined Yearling and 2-year-old Walleye (14.00 fish/hour, 9.56 inches) were also captured in the 2024 fall night electrofishing survey. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (23.40 YOY/hour, 5.13 inches) due to natural reproduction were captured in 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. Yearling Walleye numbers were abundant (31.20 fish/hour, 7.51 inches) in the 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. Growth was slow for the 2022 year class in 2023. YOY Walleye numbers were abundant (65.54 YOY/hour, 5.24 inches) due to natural reproduction in the 2022 fall night electrofishing survey. The 2022 fall night electrofishing survey had the highest historical recorded YOY Walleye catch rate for Green Lake. Young of Year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to natural reproduction were moderate (10.50 YOY/hour, 7.39 inches) in 2021. YOY Walleye were absent in the 2020 fall night electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers (<5.00 YOY/hour) were captured in 2013-2019 fall night electrofishing surveys.

Walleye abundance was high (12.17 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The historical average catch rate (1979-present) is 8.34 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Walleye average size was moderate (1.35 pounds and 14.49 inches). The historical average length is 14.96 inches from gillnets. Approximately 27% of the Walleye were 15.00 inches or larger in 2025 gillnets. The largest Walleye captured was 26.97 inches in 2025. Walleye growth rates were below the Green Lake normal ranges for ages 1-3, but above the normal ranges for ages 4-8. Growth rates were generally below or near the lower normal range end for Spicer Area Lakes. Walleye year classes have been due mostly to stocking from 2001-2020. Walleye natural reproduction has been primarily responsible for the 2021-2024 year classes. The 2024 Walleye fall standard survey catch was comprised of 2011 (1%), 2012 (1%), 2016 (1%), 2017 (1%), 2018 (6%), 2019 (9%), 2020 (1%), 2021 (9%), 2022 (53%), 2023 (7%) and 2024 (13%) year classes. Stocked fin clipped Walleye accounted for 17% of the combined 2018-2020 year class catches in 2025 survey nets.

Zebra Mussels may negatively affect future Walleye fry stockings or natural reproduction/recruitment by reducing zooplankton food availability, thus causing poor survivability or growth. However, if benthic forage species such as Yellow Perch begin to rebound as indicated in 2024 survey nets, then yearling/adult Walleye recruitment and growth may also respond positively. It is encouraging that good to fair Walleye natural reproduction success was documented in 2022-2025. If fingerling survival to adult size becomes poor, then periodic Walleye yearling stockings may be necessary to maintain adequate Walleye numbers in Green. The new Walleye bag limit was reduced from six to three fish on Green Lake in 2021. Only 1 Walleye over 20 inches is allowed.

Other species captured during the 2025 fall standard survey included low numbers of White Sucker (0.75 fish/gillnet), Common Carp (0.53 fish/trapnet), Hybrid Sunfish (1.07 fish/trapnet), Pumpkinseed Sunfish (0.20 fish/trapnet) and Bigmouth Buffalo (0.07 fish/trapnet). Moderate numbers of large sized Yellow Bullhead (2.83 fish/gillnet, 0.99 pounds) were also captured in the 2025 fall standard survey.

Current fish management activities on Green Lake include monitoring the fish population on an annual basis, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel with invasive species monitoring and education, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, participating in local watershed initiatives to maintain or improve water quality, and stocking Walleye as needed to meet long-range goals. The Green Lake fishery will be sampled in the fall of 2026 for YOY Walleye abundance by electrofishing, and mid-September of 2026 for all fish species by standard survey nets. Tullibee will be sampled by November gillnetting in 2027 for both Green and Koronis.