Hunt Lake Fishing guide

A total of 25 Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 4.2/net. Black Crappie ranged from 4.7 to 15.8 inches with an average of 6.4 inches. An additional 47 Black Crappie ranging from 4.3 to 15.9 inches were sampled with trap nets. Black Crappie were aged using otoliths and scales and ranged from age-1 to age-9 with 8 year classes present, indicating consistent recruitment. Age-1 accounted for 47% of the sample. As the young fish continue to grow, the size structure should improve and the presence of fish over 15 inches long hints at the potential for great Black Crappie angling in Hunt Lake.

A total of 89 Bluegill were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 9.9/net. This was similar to the 2017 catch rate of 13.6/net. Bluegills in 2023 ranged from 3.0 to 8.7 inches with an average of 5.7 inches. Bluegill ages were determined using otoliths and scales and ranged from age-1 to age-5 with 5 year classes present. Forty-two percent of the population was age-3. The lack of older fish was likely responsible for the poor size structure which should improve over time.

A total of 16 Largemouth Bass were sampled using daytime boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 16.8/hour. Largemouth Bass ranged from 3.6 to 19.2 inches with an average of 14.3 inches. Although not sampled in high numbers, there appeared to be a healthy Largemouth Bass population in Hunt Lake in 2023 and the length frequency distribution indicated consistent natural reproduction and recruitment.

A total of 23 Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 3.8/net. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 21.7 to 35.8 inches and averaged 25.9 inches. Over 56% of Northern Pike sampled exceeded the 24-inch minimum length limit.

Yellow Perch continued to decline in 2023 with a total of 46 sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 7.7/net. After an all-time high of 31.7/net in 2007, numbers fell to 17.0/net in 2013, 9.3 in 2017 before falling again in 2023. Yellow Perch in 2023 were small, ranging from 5.5 to 9.5 inches with an average of 7.0 inches. Yellow Perch are not a managed game species in Hunt Lake but are important prey for predator species and could periodically provide an additional angling opportunity.

Common Carp numbers remained low in 2023. Only two fish was sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 0.3/net. Catch rates have varied from 0.2/net to 3.3/net with an average of 1.3/net since 1983. Like Northern Pike, Common Carp numbers may be limited due to a lack of connectivity to suitable spawning habitat.

Black Bullhead were the most abundant fish sampled with gill nets in 2023. A total of 81 were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 13.5/net. The catch rate in 2017 was 47.7/net. Catch rates have been highly variable ranging from 2.8/net to 313.2/net with an average of 77.7/net since 1983. Black Bullheads ranged in size from 5.5 to 15.2 inches with an average of 12.7 inches.

Other species sampled in 2023 include Bigmouth Buffalo, Golden Shiner, White Crappie, and Yellow Bullhead.

Water quality parameter measurements include water temperature, and dissolved oxygen readings. Parameters ranged from 81.7 degrees Fahrenheit and 13.1 ppm at the surface to 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit and 0.1 ppm at 10 feet. A thermocline was detected between 6 and 9 feet and dissolved oxygen was depleted at approximately 9 feet.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

-Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist