OLSON LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY

 

Olson Lake was built in 1989 as a silt control basin for Pierce Lake.  The lake is approximately 45.0 acres in size with a maximum depth of only 12.0 feet.  The shallow waters of Olson Lake have a history of extensive beds of aquatic vegetation.  In 2007, water lily covered approximately 30% of the lakes surface area.  Other aquatic vegetation includes coontail and Eurasian milfoil.  Olson Lake has a developed beach and is host to swimming activity during the summer months.

The fishery of Olson Lake is quite a good one.  Fish, however, are hard to access most of the year due to heavy weed beds.  A number of log fish structures were constructed in the upper portion of the lake.  The fishery of Olson Lake consists of gizzard shad, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear, northern pike, channel catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass.

LARGEMOUTH BASS  - A good number of the largemouth bass population is over 14.0 inches in length.  All bass collected in the 2007 Fall population sample were in excellent body condition.  These fast-growing largemouth should provide anglers with an excellent fishery before the weeds get abundant (late May).  Anglers should try fishing around the log fish attractors using shad imitators or in the lily pads, using weedless frogs.

BLUEGILL - REDEAR - Sunfish are abundant with redear present up to 3/4 lbs. in weight.  Best fishing is in mid-May when these fish are on the spawning beds.  Crickets and redworms are the most effective baits.

CRAPPIE - White and black crappie at Olson Lake are in good body condition and range up to 12.0 inches in length.  Fishing for crappie at Olson Lake is best in April, before vegetation grows and the fish are in spawning condition.  Best baits are 1/4 oz. white jigs.

NORTHERN PIKE - Northern pike have been stocked several times in the past few years.  In 2006, 281 - 8" northern pike were stocked.  In 2007, 259 - 8" northern pike were stocked.  Habitat at Olson Lake is excellent for northern pike.  Extensive beds of lily along the shoreline provide cover for northern pike.  Good fishing for northern occurs early in the spring (March, April and again in the fall, October).  Best baits are spinners, fished along the outside of weed beds and trolling deeper water in June - July.

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