Monson Lake Fishing guide

Black Crappie abundance was low in 2024 survey nets (2.00 fish/gillnet, 0.44 fish/trapnet). The historical average catch rates (1982-present) are 1.36 fish/gillnet and 0.68 fish/trapnet for Monson. The Black Crappie average sizes were small for both gillnets (5.90 inches, 0.13 pounds) and trapnets (4.82 inches, 0.06 pounds) in 2024. The largest Black Crappie captured was 8.03 inches. Black Crappie growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-2. The 2023 year class comprised 70% of the 2024 gillnet and trapnet catch.

Bluegill abundance was low in 2024 (5.44 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (15.63 fish/trapnet) for Monson. The 2024 Bluegill average size was small (0.13 pounds and 5.08 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.23 pounds from trapnets. Approximately 10% of the Bluegill captured were 8.00 inches or larger in the 2024 survey nets. The largest Bluegill captured was 9.02 inches in 2024. The largest Bluegill captured was 11.81 inches (about 2 pounds) in the 2010 survey, but only 6.42 inches in the previous 2019 survey. Bluegill growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-4. The 2022 year class comprised 69% of the 2024 gillnet and trapnet catch.

Largemouth Bass were abundant (65.50 fish/hour) in the 2024 pre-spawn spring electrofishing. A previous 2015 Largemouth Bass spring electrofishing survey sampled low numbers (17.29 fish/hour). The 2024 Largemouth Bass average size was large (1.97 pounds and 14.18 inches) from spring electrofishing. The largest Largemouth Bass captured was 19.80 inches during 2024. Approximately 54% of the Largemouth Bass captured were 15.00 inches or larger in the 2024 spring electrofishing survey. Largemouth Bass growth rates were near or above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-8. Approximately 61% of all Largemouth Bass captured were 5 years or older from the 2024 spring electrofishing survey.

Northern Pike abundance was high in 2024 (9.67 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (5.45 fish/gillnet) for Monson. The 2024 Northern Pike average size was small (2.28 pounds and 21.50 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.61 pounds from gillnets. The largest Northern Pike captured was 31.10 inches in 2024. Approximately 24% of Northern Pike were 24.00 inches or larger in the 2024 survey nets. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Monson 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 abundance high in 2024 (9.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (4.80 fish/gillnet) for Monson. The 2024 Walleye average size was moderate (1.53 pounds and 15.41 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.18 pounds from gillnets. The largest Walleye captured was 27.28 inches. Approximately 30% of the Walleye captured were 15.00 inches or larger in the 2024 survey nets. Walleye growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for all ages. The 2022 year class (fry stocked) comprised 58% of the 2024 gillnet and trapnet catch. We saw abundant numbers of yearling/adult Walleye in the 2024 spring electrofishing survey (107.00 fish/hour, 7.95 inches average). Approximately 92% of these Walleye caught were from the 2023 year class in the spring electrofishing survey. Walleye natural reproduction in Monson is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Walleye were recently stocked into Monson during 2018 (231,135 fry; 28 fingerlings, 2 pounds; 1,441 yearlings, 371 pounds; 29 adults, 39 pounds), 2020 (448 yearlings, 298.5 pounds; 70 adults, 139 pounds), 2022 (71,590 fry), 2023 (50,842 fry; 3,480 fingerlings, 145 pounds) and 2024 (50,967 fry).

Yellow Perch abundance was moderate in 2024 (8.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (10.96 fish/gillnet) for Monson Lake. The 2024 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.09 pounds and 5.82 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.21 pounds from gillnets. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 7.99 inches in 2024. Yellow Perch were recently stocked in 2021 (7,632 adults, 424 pounds) and 2022 (3,338 adults, 210 pounds).

Black Bullhead abundance was moderate in 2024 (35.67 fish/gillnet), but below the historical average catch rate (87.21 fish/gillnet) for Monson. Black Bullhead abundance in the 2024 trapnets (6.78 fish/trapnet) was also below the historical average (20.66 fish/trapnet). The 2024 Black Bullhead average size was large (1.30 pounds and 12.83 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.90 pounds from gillnets. The largest Black Bullhead captured was 15.04 inches in 2024.

Yellow Bullhead abundance was high in 2024 (3.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average (0.52 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Bullhead average size was large (1.15 pounds, 12.60 inches) from gillnets. The largest Yellow Bullhead captured was 14.72 inches in 2024.

Current fish management activities on Monson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Monson fishery will be sampled in the 2029 summer for all fish species.