Upper Sakatah Lake Fishing guide

A total of 85 Walleyes were sampled for a catch rate of 10.6/net, indicating moderate to high numbers were present. In the three surveys prior to 2020 Walleye numbers were on a downward trend with catch rate of 5.0/net in 2004, 3.1/net in 2009, and 1.3/net in 2014. Since 1994, catch rates have varied from 1.3/net to 17.3/net with an average of 8.8/net. Lengths in 2020 ranged from 8.8 to 23.4 inches with an average of 12.8 inches. Approximately 25% of Walleye sampled were greater than 15 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 6 years old with 5 year classes present. Approximately 95% of Walleye sampled were 1 or 2 years old. Growth was rapid with 17 inches exceeded by year 3. The fast growing 2018 and 2019 year classes should provide a welcome quality opportunity for anglers in coming years after experiencing a slump in Walleye numbers over the past 15 years or so.

A total of 19 Bluegills ranging from 3.7 to 6.6 inches were sampled with the gill nets for a catch rate of 2.4/net. Bluegills are better sampled with trap nets and caution should be used before drawing conclusions about the Bluegill population in Upper Sakatah Lake using the 2020 survey.

A total of 77 Black Crappies were sampled for a catch rate of 9.6/net, indicating moderate to high numbers were present. This was the highest catch rate from 1994 to 2020 (n = 6). The average during that time was just 3.5/net. Lengths in 2020 ranged from 2.6 to 11.9 inches with an average of 7.0 inches. Approximately 31% of Black Crappies sampled were larger than 8 inches and just 1% were larger than 10 inches. With the exception of one 6 year old fish, all were 1 or 2 years old. Growth was fast with fish reaching around 7 inches between year 2 and 3.

Northern Pike were sampled in low numbers in 2020 with a total of 14 caught for a catch rate of 1.8/net, indicating low numbers were present. This was right at the 1994 to 2020 average catch rate of 1.8/net. The previous catch rate of 2.9/net in 2014 represented the high mark for that time. Lengths in 2020 ranged from 19.5 to 34.1 inches with an average of 25.4 inches. Most Northern Pike sampled were larger than 21 inches and approximately 75% of the sample exceeded the legal minimum length limit of 24 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 5 years old with 6 year classes present. Growth was fast with fish surpassing 22 inches around year 2. Upper Sakatah Lake is located in the Southern Northern Pike management zone. In order to harvest a Northern Pike the fish must be over 24.0 inches in length. The daily bag limit in this zone is 2 Northern Pike per day.

Yellow Perch were common in 2020 with a catch rate of 17.6/net, indicating high numbers were present. From 1994 to 2020, catch rates have varied from 7.8/net to 26.5/net with an average of 13.5/net. The previous catch rate was 7.8/net in 2014. Lengths ranged from 5.4 to 11.2 inches with an average of 7.3 inches. Only 26% of Yellow Perch sampled exceeded 8 inches and 2% exceeded 10 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 3 years old with 3 year classes present. The 2019 year class accounted for 70% of the sample. Growth was moderate with a length of 7.2 inches reached by year 2.

White Bass remained a common member of the Upper Sakatah fish community in 2020. A total of 133 White Bass ranging from 4.7 to 17.3 inches were sampled at a rate of 16.6/net, indicating high numbers were present. From 1994 to 2020, catch rates varied from 3.3/net to 17.2/net with an average of 11.3/net. Although most of the 2020 sample was small and young, there were fish in the 13 to 18 inch range that offer an additional target for anglers.

A total of 55 Freshwater Drum were sampled at a rate of 6.9/net. The long term average catch rate was 12.5/net between 1994 and 2020. Lengths ranged from 3.1 to 19.1 inches with an average of 12.1 inches. Freshwater Drum are often caught by anglers while targeting other species. For the open-minded angler, they offer an additional fishing target and are surprisingly good table fare.

Just a single Black Bullhead was sampled in 2020 for a catch rate of 0.1/net. Catch rates have fallen dramatically in recent surveys with catch rates of 116.7/net in 2004, 9.1/net in 2009, and 3.0/net in 2014. Typically, Black Bullheads are abundant in lakes like Upper Sakatah but the lack of winterkill events in recent years has prevented Black Bullheads from producing dominant year classes in Upper Sakatah Lake.

Common Carp were sampled at a rate of 1.3/net, which was below the long term average of 1.8/net. High Common Carp numbers are detrimental to lake water quality and habitat but they appear mostly stable at moderate to low numbers in Upper Sakatah Lake.

Other Species sampled in 2020 include Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, and White Sucker.

Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of 1.8 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 10.4 ppm and 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 8.7 ppm and 76.5 degrees Fahrenheit at 12 feet. No thermocline was detected due to the shallow, windswept nature of the lake.

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.

- Sky Wigen, Fisheries Specialist