CANTON LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY

CHANNEL CATFISH: CANTON LAKE -The current channel catfish population consists of a high density of fish from 1/3 - 3.0 pounds. The turbid water conditions have permitted natural reproduction and recruitment to maintain a large population of small size fish.

From 1997-1999, 992 flathead catfish from 1 to 42 pounds have been stocked into Canton Lake. In 1999 and 2001, 5000 blue catfish at 5 inches long were stocked into Canton Lake. The main forage base of Canton Lake is gizzard shad and would also be a very good bait for catfishing in this lake.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: CANTON LAKE - Canton Lake has produced its share of trophy largemouth bass over the years. The 2003 spring survey revealed a diverse fishery composed of yellow bass, white and black crappie, and a numerous carp population. Gizzard shad have also been introduced into the lake from an unknown source. The gizzard shad may provide an additional forage for the larger bass, but may also hinder bass recruitment.

The overall bass fishery in 2003 was characterized by a medium density population with 1.3 bass collected per minute; however, the size structure and body condition of the bass population is very good. Seventy-three percent of the bass sampled were over 15 inches in length. In 2003 dedicated anglers can expect fish over twelve inches (1 to 2 lbs.) and a limited number of trophy bass (4 to 8 lbs.). The combination of sedimentation, lack of aquatic vegetation, and competition from other fish species is the cause for poor bass recruitment and average bass density. In 2003, a stocking of 7000, 2.2 inch bass was completed to assist natural reproduction.

The lake regulations include a 15 inch minimum length limit and a daily creel limit of three largemouth and/or smallmouth bass per day.

MUSKIE: CANTON LAKE - From 1989 to 1997, tiger muskie were stocked yearly into Canton Lake at a rate of up to 3 per acre. These 8 to 10 inch fish created a low density population and in the spring 2002 trapnet survey, 2 fish were sampled at 30 and 39 inches long.

Canton Lake was added to the muskie stocking program in 2000 and received 2,500 fish at 3.5 inches long. In 2001, it received 650 muskie at 10 inches long and then in 2002, it received 250 muskie at 6.8 inches long. In 2003, the lake received 2500 muskie at 4 inches long. In the spring 2003 trapnet survey, one muskie was sampled at 30 inches long.

The lake's major fish species are largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow bass, channel catfish, carp, and gizzard shad. The City of Canton has various user fees for boat use and a 85 horse power motor limit.

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