Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3900

2022

Muskellunge

Adult

147

2022

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

8517

2023

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

3900

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

138

2023

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

6706

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Average

In 2023, the bluegill population was sampled by 109 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current bluegill population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 7.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in below average body condition with a Wr average of 93. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 will continue to decrease the growth and body condition of the bluegill population.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

The channel catfish population was sampled by 15 fish in fall electrofishing survey and 23 fish in the spring trap net survey. The current channel catfish population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 27 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 100. Little Grassy hatchery stocked 3,900 fish at 8.0 inches in 2023. An annual stocking of non-vulnerable channel catfish has occurred in the recent past. These stockings have established a population with anticipated high angler harvest pressure.

CRAPPIE

Average

The white and black crappie populations have been an average rating in recent years. The 5-year averages from 2012 to 2016 were an RSD10 of 37 for white crappie and an RSD10 of less than 1 for black crappie. The black crappie population has become the dominant species. The 5 year trapnet catch per unit of effort was 16 black crappie per net night and less than 1 white crappie per net night. In 2023, the white crappie population was sampled by 23 stock size fish in spring trap net survey. The black crappie population was sampled by 282 stock size fish in spring trap net survey. The white crappie were sampled with a PSD of 96, RSD9 of 96, RSD10 of 91, and RSD11 of 83. The black crappie were sampled with a PSD of 82, RSD9 of 7, RSD10 of 3 and RSD11 of 1. Both species had average WR values of 91 and 84. The white crappie indices have improved over the last 5 years, while the black crappie have remained low. Anglers can continue to apply harvest pressure upon the dense black crappie population that is from 7.5 to 9 inches in length.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

In 2023, the fish population was sampled by 20 trap net nights in the spring and 67 minutes of fall D.C. electrofishing. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 267 stock size bass from electrofishing. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 4 to 19 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2017, the bass regulation for Lake Storey was changed from a 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and/or 5 fish less than 12 inches daily, to a protected slot length limit from 12 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the new bass regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches. The 5 year averages from 2012 to 2016 were RSD15 of 18, RSD16 of 10, and RSD18 of 3. And a 5 year average CPUE 1.8 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. eletrofishing. In 2023 the values were at a PSD of 75, RSD15 of 35, RSD16 of 29 and the RSD18 of 8. The average body condition was at a Wr of 98. The CPUE was 4.0 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass population has dramatically improved since 2020 and is now rated very good! The goal of the protected slot length limit is to create a high-density bass population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the panfish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 15 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to still harvest fish under 12 inches. From 2017 to 2020 the new bass regulation had not improved this population’s indices. From 2021 thru 2023, the bass population showed dramatic improvements for the population over 15 inches in length. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 and maybe providing the additional forage base for the largemouth bass population.

MUSKELLUNGE

Average

In 2023, 12 muskie were collected in the spring trap netting. These fish ranged from 25.2 to 44.1 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good with a Wr of approximately 100. A moderate density of quality size muskie are present. 43 muskie have been recaptured with PIT tag data from Lake Storey since 2002. The 2014 recapture growth rate for a male over 10 years old was .21 inches and .26 lbs per year. And the growth rate for 2 females over 10 years old was 1.1 inches and 1.40 lbs per year. Jake Wolf stocked 136 muskie at 10.75 inches in 2016. Jake Wolf stocked 135 at 12.5 inches in 2017, 136 fish at 12.5 inches in 2018, 142 fish at 13.5 inches in 2019, no stocking in 2020, 138 fish at 13 inches in 2021, 147 fish at 12.5 inches in 2022, and 138 fish at 12.25 inches in 2023. An annual stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 maybe provide an additional forage base for the muskie population.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Average

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 11 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 9.0 inches in length. This population is of low density and in average body condition with a Wr average of 89.

WALLEYE

Good

The walleye population was sampled by 10 fish in the spring trap nets and 60 fish in the fall electrofishing survey in 2023. The current walleye population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 27 inches in length. The CPUE for electrofishing was at .9 fish per minute by electrofishing and .5 fish per net night of trap netting in 2023. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 91. Jake Wolf hatchery stocked 6696 fish at 1.5 inches long in 2016. No walleye were stocked in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2020, 6,819 walleye at 1.4 inches were stocked. In 2021, 8,970 walleye at 1.5 inches were stocked. In 2022, 8,517 walleye at 1.5 inches were stocked. And in 2023, 6,706 walleye at 1.9 inches were stocked from Jake Wolf Hatchery. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 maybe provide an additional forage base for the walleye population.

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