Lura Lake Fishing guide

Black Crappies were abundant in 2023 with a total of 230 sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 28.8/net. Black Crappie catch rates have varied from 0.0/net to 57.5/net with a mean of 8.8/net since 1994. Trap nets also sampled a high number of Black Crappies, an average of 33.7 were sampled per trap net, also well above the third quartile (6.5/net) for class 39 lakes. A rarity in surveys prior to 2002 (n = 8), Black Crappies have become common in Lura Lake. Black Crappie ranged from 3.2 to 14.6 inches with a mean of 6.1 inches. Black Crappie were aged using otoliths and scales. Ages ranged from age-1 to age-6 with 6 year classes present, indicating consistent recruitment. A majority of the sample was age-2. Growth was fast with 10 inches exceeded around age-3. Black Crappies have become an important part of the Lura Lake fish community in a time when winterkill no longer occurs regularly.

Bluegills sampled in trap nets at a rate of 12.1/net. Bluegill catch rates have varied from 0.8/net to 73.4/net with an average of 19.5/net since 1994. In 2023 lengths ranged from 3.2 to 7.2 inches with an average of 4.1 inches. Bluegills were aged using otoliths and scales. Ages ranged from age-1 to age-4 with 4-year classes present. Age-1 and Age-2 fish made up ninety percent of the sample.

Largemouth bass were sampled using daytime boat electrofishing in May of 2023. This is because Largemouth Bass are typically less susceptible to sampling when using passive gears such as trap nets and gill nets. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 34.3/ hour of electrofishing. Largemouth Bass caught electrofishing ranged in size from 3.0 to 20.1 inches and averaged 10.8 inches in length. One hundred and ten Largemouth Bass were sample using gill nets and trap nets. These fish ranged in length from 4.4 to 19.8 inches. Ninety-seven percent of these fish were under 10 inches in length. The Largemouth Bass population in Lura Lake is abundant and has a variety of sizes available to anglers.

Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 14.3/ gill net, down from the historically high numbers in 2020 (33.3/net). Northern Pike numbers have surged in recent surveys after being sampled at low levels prior to 2013. Northern Pike in 2023 ranged from 14.0 inches to 32.5 inches with an average of 26.0 inches. Approximately 77% exceeded the legal minimum length limit of 24 inches. The high abundance and moderate size structure should allow for great angling over the next few years.

A total of 31 Walleyes were sampled in 2023 for a catch rate of 3.9/net. Walleyes were extremely abundant in surveys completed from 1994 to 2002 but have declined sharply since then. Walleye ranged from 7.5 to 27.1 inches with an average of 21.3 inches. Walleye were aged using otoliths. Walleye were age-1 to age-12 with 7 year classes present. Approximately 48% were age-3 to age-5. Interestingly the 2020 year class was the largest with 7 individuals, though no stocking was done due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Growth was fast with 15 inches exceeded by age-2. Walleye fry stocking has become less and less effective in Lura Lake. Without winterkills or reclamations, it is unreasonable to expect Walleye numbers to return to the high levels enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s.

A total of 407 Yellow Perch were sampled for a catch rate of 50.8/net. Yellow Perch numbers have fluctuated wildly from 1994 to 2023 with a range of 1.0/net to 290.0/net and an average of 64.6/net. Aside from 146.8/net sampled in 2013, recent catch rates have fallen below the historical mean. Lengths ranged from 5.4 to 9.7 inches with an average of 6.6 inches. Yellow Perch remain an important species in Lura Lake.

Black Bullheads are often the most abundant fish sampled in Lura Lake surveys. In 2023 Black Bullheads were sampled at a rate of 58.0/gill net, just barely exceeding the lake class third quartile (57.5/net). Catch rates have varied from 15.0/net to 525.5/net with an average of 123.9/net since 1994. The degraded nature of Lura Lake matches well with Black Bullhead habitat preferences, and they will likely remain an abundant species for years to come.

A total of 66 Common Carp were sampled for a catch rate of 2.8/gill net. Common Carp have become more common in recent surveys and likely have a negative impact on water quality. Bigmouth Buffalo were the most abundant species in 2023 with 482 being sampled, all but one was under 10 inches in length.

Other species sampled in low numbers included Channel Catfish and Golden Shiner.

Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of just 1.5 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 6.7 ppm and 77.0 degrees Fahrenheit at one foot to 6.8 ppm and 76.6 degrees Fahrenheit at 8 feet. No thermocline was detected.

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