BALDWIN LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY

LARGEMOUTH BASS: BALDWIN LAKE - Growth rates for bass are exceptional in this cooling lake. Average growth rates for 1+ year old fish are 14.8" and for 2+ year old fish are 17.5". Our survey showed that bass were fairly abundant in the 12 to 18 inch length range, and in excellent condition. We did collect a few 20 to 21 inch fish that weighed 4.5 to 4.7 pounds. A good lake for honing bass fishing skills due to the abundant population. A 18 inch minimum length limit/3 fish per day creel applies. Most of the habitat consists of rip-rap. The southern end of the lake is closed annually as a waterfowl refuge from November 1 to February 1.

STRIPED BASS AND HYBRID: Baldwin Lake has not been stocked with hybrid stripers since 2002. As a result, the population of stripers has declined in numbers. We collected only one adult fish in our 2005 fall population survey. There have been some stripers caught by anglers, but the catch rate has definitely decreased. The good news is that Baldwin Lake is scheduled to receive a full stocking of 20,000 hybrids in 2006. So while fishing may be a bit slow in ‘06, by 2008, a substantial, desirable, population of this species should once again become established.

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