CARLYLE LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
CHANNEL CATFISH: Very good to Excellent - The channel
catfish population is holding steady and looking very good. Data from
our 2005 survey show that the fish ranged in length from 11.4 to 26.8
inches and in weight from 0.41 to 7.23 lbs. The average fish in our sample
weighed 2.68 lbs. The flathead catfish population is doing great. There
has been a high level of reproductive success in the last two years. Many
young fish were collected ranging in weight from 0.07 to 2.55 lbs. There
are some nice larger fish available to anglers. Fish in the 4, 6, 22,
25, and 47 pound weight ranges were observed during our survey. Fishing
for both species should be quite good in 2006.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: CARLYLE LAKE - Low water levels during
our fall electrofishing survey negatively impacted the total number of
bass collected. Since most of the better habitat is along the shoreline,
the shallow water in some areas prevented us from getting close to shore,
reducing collection efficiency for this species. The total number of bass
collected during our fall survey decreased to 390 fish, compared to 710
fish during the previous year ’s survey. Population indices however,
all fell into desirable ranges. PSD was 57 (57% of the stock was 12 inches
or greater in length) and RSD 14 was 27 (27% of the stock was 14 inches
or greater in length. The stock equals all fish 8" and greater. A
couple of bass weighed in at 5.3 lbs. Basically, the data is similar to
the past year except for the number of fish collected.
Stocking: 2003 proved to be an excellent year for bass
production at the three Hazlett nursery ponds. 62,121 fish with an average
length of 4.7 inches were released into various locations around the lake.
These fish are meant to help compensate for years that have poor natural
reproduction.
Future bass management:
The current 14" length limit and Statewide bag limit of 6 fish will
be maintained
Continue to produce bass fingerlings on site and release into lake.
Investigate additional stockings of bass from State Hatcheries.
Continue habitat creation projects.
Water level coordination with the Corps will continue to enhance reproductive
success.
Fishing prospects for 2004: Good, angling should be similar to last year.
The average legal sized bass will be 2.3 lbs., with most fish being in
the range of 1.5 to 4 lbs.
WALLEYE AND SAUGER: Good - Angling should be similar
to last year. We collected some nice sauger in the lake during our fall
survey, with the average fish weighing 1.55 lbs. and the largest fish
weighing 2.5 lbs. Abundance is up, and condition of the fish improved.
Fish weighing up to 4 pounds are available for harvest. The tail water
supports the largest concentration of fish and best fishing for this species.
Twelve to thirteen million fry are stocked annually in the lake. A 14
inch minimum length limit - 6 fish/day applies to Carlyle Lake sauger.
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