BANNER MARSH STATUS REPORT SUMMARY

CHANNEL CATFISH: BANNER MARSH -In 2005, the water level of Banner Marsh remained at approximately 1,200 acres. The three major lakes are Johnson (600 acres), Wheel (350 acres), and Shovel (100 acres). All have boat access ramps and a 25 hp limit.

A good channel catfish population exists in the three major lakes. Fish range between 1 - 6 pounds with fish over 8 pounds available. Shoreline fishing access is good, but boat fishing is probably the best method to use on these lakes. Due to the clear water, fishing after dark near weedlines and points is most effective with cutbait or large minnows.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: BANNER MARSH - The 2003 fall survey and angler success indicated the largemouth bass 12" - 18" protected slot length limit (no possession) and a 3 fish daily creel limit were having a positive effect on the bass population. The RSD 14, RSD 16, and RSD 18 values have remained high with 20% of the bass sampled over 16 inches in length.

The 2004 fishing season at Banner Marsh will offer a good supply of 1 to 4 pound bass with a limited number of trophy fish from 5 to 8 pounds. Weedlines and large areas of aquatic vegetation are present in summer, so bring your weedless lures.

MUSKIE: BANNER MARSH, WHEEL LAKE - Wheel Lake was added to the muskie stocking priority list in 1996. This lake has received 350, 8 to 12 inch muskie each fall since 1996. In 1998, Wheel Lake received an additional 100 Leach Lake strain muskie through the funding of Muskie Inc. and in 1999 received an extra 2000, 4 inch muskie in June from Jake Wolf Hatchery. On April 1, 2000, the new minimum length limit was raised to 42 inches with a 1 fish per day limit.

At normal pool the 350 acre lake is composed of a deep final cut section and a large series of strip mine wheel cut lakes. The wheel cut portion (280 acres) contains a maze of points, islands, flooded brush and diverse aquatic vegetation, while the final cut portion (70 acres) has a maximum depth of 60 feet and rocky structure.

The Spring 2003 trapnet survey and a fall electrofishing survey collected 71 fish with the largest fish at 44 inches.
The lake's major fish species are largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, and gizzard shad. Other fish species present are smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, yellow bullhead, carp, green sunfish, and yellow perch.

There is a 25 horse power limit at Banner Marsh.

MUSKIE: BANNER MARSH, SHOVEL LAKE - Shovel Lake was added to the muskie stocking priority list in 1999. In 1999, this lake received 200, 11 inch muskie from Jake Wolf Hatchery in September and 250, 11 inch fish from the Banner Marsh Rearing Ponds in October. From 2000 - 2003, Shovel Lake received 200 - 10.0" muskie from Jake Wolf Hatchery in August. On April 1, 2000, the new minimum length limit was raised to 42 inches with a 1 fish per day limit.

In 2003, 13 fish were sampled up to 38 inches long.

Shovel Lake was enlarged to over 200 acres by the end of 2000. It is a “T” shaped final cut strip mine lake (74 acres) with a maximum depth of 65 feet that was attached to approximately 100 acres of littoral zone surrounding deep water pockets (25 acres of strip mine ponds).

The lake’s major fish species are largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, walleye, channel catfish, carp, and gizzard shad. There is a 25 hp limit at Banner Marsh.

MUSKIE: BANNER MARSH, JOHNSON LAKE - Johnson Lake was added to the muskie stocking priority list in 2001. In 2001, this lake received 2,174 - 11 inch muskie from Jake Wolf Hatchery in October, and 725 - 10 inch muskie in 2002. In 2003, a stocking of 1,333 - 10 inch muskie from Jake Wolf Hatchery occurred in September.

Johnson Lake is approximately 600 acres and is composed of a maze of deep strip mine water connected to shallow flats of flooded trees.

The lake’s major fish species are largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, walleye,
channel catfish, northern pike, carp, and gizzard shad. There is a 25 hp limit at Banner Marsh.

NORTHERN PIKE: In 2002, the water level of Banner Marsh remained at approximately 1,200 acres. The three major lakes are Johnson (600 acres), Wheel (350 acres), and Shovel (100 acres). All have concrete boat access ramps and a 25 hp limit.

Walleye have been stocked in Johnson Lake each year since 1987. Fisheries data from 1995-2004 spring trapnet surveys indicate an average walleye population exists. In Johnson Lake, 55 walleye over 16 inches were sampled, with 27 of these over 18 inches in 2003.

Johnson Lake has clear water, extensive aquatic vegetation, rocky points and water depths up to 60 feet. In 2004, the walleye should average 2-7 pounds, with a 10 pound fish possible! A 14 inch minimum length limit and the statewide 6 fish per day creel limit is enforced.

RETURN TO BANNER MARSH