ARGYLE LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY

CHANNEL CATFISH: This 92.7 acre watershed impoundment, located near Macomb, has been a popular catfishing site since 1951. The most recent 2002 creel census showed the overall fishing pressure at 154 hours/acre. The creel survey also revealed that 1,273 channel catfish were caught and released, and 945 were harvested at an average weight of slightly over one pound.

The channel catfish population at Argyle Lake is not a naturally produced fishery. Annual stocking efforts by the IDNR have totaled 50 non-vulnerable sized (8 inch) fish/acre. The 2005 catfish data shows an excellent population of 1 to 5 pound fish with individuals ranging up to 10 pounds. Channel catfish fishing success at Argyle Lake in 2006 has the potential of being very good.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: ARGYLE LAKE - The most recent 2002 creel census shows the overall fishing pressure at 154 hours/acre (down from 378 hours/acre in 1995). The 2002 survey also revealed 3,517 (4724 in 1995) largemouth bass being caught and released (1.23 lb. ave.) with 541 (457 in 1995) being harvested at an average weight of 2.23 pounds.

Historical data for the largemouth bass population over a 30 year period (1972 - 2003) at Argyle Lake has revealed a "boom-bust" phenomenon with the fishery. Attempts to decrease the effects of this phenomenon were made in 1979 with a 12 to 15 inch slot limit and in 1988 with a modified 12 to 15 inch slot limit, where only one largemouth bass larger than 15 inches could be kept. The largemouth bass fishery data for the 1987 through 2003 period indicates a good response to the modified slot limit.

However, the "boom-bust" phenomenon continues to have an effect on the supply of fish 15 inches or larger. The 2003 largemouth bass data indicates a slight decrease in the supply of 2.0 to 3.50 pound fish over the preceding three year period. Bass fishing during 2004 should be average for fish in the 1 to 4 pound range and a limited catch of 5 pound and larger fish.

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