Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3300

2022

Muskellunge

Adult

95

2022

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

12126

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

99

2023

Rainbow Trout

Adult

4005

2023

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

11132

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Average

The bluegill population was sampled by an extrapolated 444 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current bluegill population is rated as below average with the larger fish up to 7.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in average body condition with a Wr average of 89. The competition with the gizzard shad has reduced the bluegill condition and growth rate.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

In 2023, the channel catfish population was sampled by 28 fish in the spring trap net survey and 30 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current channel catfish population is rated as excellent with the larger fish up to 24 inches in length and approximately 54% of the fish over 18 inches in length. This population is of high density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 98.

CRAPPIE

Good

In 2023, the white and black crappie populations were sampled by spring trap nets and fall D.C. electrofishing. A total of 38 stock size black crappie and 90 stock size white crappie were collected in these surveys. The black crappie populations can be described as average with most of the fish under 9.5 inches and in average body condition Wr of 83. The white crappie population is described as good with approximately 59 percent of the fish over 10 inches in length and a good average body condition Wr of 92. In 2017, the crappie regulation was changed from a 9-inch minimum length limit and 10 fish daily harvest limit, to a 25 fish daily harvest limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches. The goal of the new regulation is to allow the harvest of more of the slower growing black crappie, while maintaining and promoting the population structure of crappie over 10 inches in length. The white and black crappie populations have had an average rating in recent history. The black crappie population has been slow growing and predominately under 9.5 inches in length, while the white crappie population has been predominately under 10 inches in length. The 6-year averages from 2012 to 2017 were an RSD9 of 33, and RSD10 of 6 and RSD11 of 1 for black crappie. The 6-year averages from 2012 to 2017 were and an RSD9 of 38, an RSD10 of 22 and an RSD11 of 8. And the Wr averages were 89 for black crappie and 90 for white crappie. The 5-year averages from 2018 to 2022 were an RSD9 of 45, and RSD10 of 8 and RSD11 of 2 for black crappie. The 5-year averages from 2018 to 2022 were and an RSD9 of 44, an RSD10 of 31 and an RSD11 of 16 for white crappie. And the Wr averages were 88 for black crappie and 96 for white crappie over these 5-year spans. Very large hybrid crappie have been sampled each year during the spring trap net surveys. In an effort to evaluate the ability to enhance this part of the crappie population, a hybrid crappie stocking project was started in 2023. On 10/27/2023, approximately 1000, 2 inch (Blacknose Male x White Female) F1 hybrid crappie were stocked into Argyle Lake. A majority of these fish will display the “blacknose” trait for future identification. Additional stockings of larger sized hybrid crappie will be attempted in 2024. The black crappie population size and growth indices do not appear to have improved since the regulation change, while the white crappie population indices have improved. The new regulation will continue to be evaluated to these indices.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Excellent

In 2023, a spring trap net survey and a fall D.C. boat electrofishing was used to survey the fish population. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 105 bass, stock size or larger, from daytime electrofishing and 67 bass, stock size or larger from nighttime electrofishing. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 4.0 to 21 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2017, the bass regulation for Argyle Lake 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 14 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 6-year averages from 2012 thru 2017 were RSD15 of 36, RSD16 of 20, RSD18 of 6, and a RSD19 of 3. And a 6-year average CPUE of .9 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. boat electrofishing. The 5-year averages from 2018 thru 2022 were RSD15 of 45, RSD16 of 36, RSD18 of 18, and a RSD19 of 11. And a 5-year average CPUE of 1.4 fish per minute over 8 inches with pulse D.C. boat electrofishing. The 2023 electrofishing survey was very close to this 5-year average with the RSD15 of 52, RSD16 of 45, RSD18 of 20, and RSD19 of 11. The average body condition was at a Wr of 94. These values are extremely good! The new regulation will continue to be evaluated to these indices. 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 and gizzard shad 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 14 inches.

MUSKELLUNGE

Very Good

In 2023, the muskie population was surveyed by 9 stock sized fish in the spring trap net survey and 8 stock sized fish in the fall electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 12.9 to 42.5 inches long. The body condition of these fish was very good at an average Wr of 99. The CPUE for the spring trap nets was .45 fish per net night in 2023,.95 fish per net night in 2022, and .4 fish per net night in 2021. The Argyle Lake Management Plan objective is a CPUE of at least .3 fish per net night. A low density of quality size muskie are present. Jake Wolf Hatchery stocked 99 muskie at 12.5 inches on 9/27/2023. An annual stocking is now scheduled to maintain a low density of healthy muskie. In 2017, the muskie harvest regulation was changed from the statewide 1 fish daily harvest at a 36 inch minimum size, to a 42 inch minimum and 1 fish per day harvest limit. The goal of the new regulation is to protect the fish for at least 1 more year from angler harvest.

RAINBOW TROUT

Good

In 2023, Jake Wolf Hatchery stocked 4,005 rainbow trout at an average size of 12 inches on 10/11/2023. These fish are annually stocked for the catch able trout program.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Average

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 4 fish in the spring trap net survey and 2 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as below average with the larger fish under 9.0 inches in length. This population is of very low density and in poor body condition with a Wr average of 89.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Good

In 2023, the saugeye population was sampled by 21 fish in the spring trap net survey and 49 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. The current saugeye population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 29 inches in length and approximately 50% of the fish were over 18 inches in length. The CPUE for electrofishing was.07 per minute in the daytime and .29 fish per minute after dark in 2023. The CPUE for the spring trap nets was 1.05 fish per net night in 2023, 1.1 fish were net night in 2022, and .85 fish per net night in 2021. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 95. LaSalle Hatchery stocked 11,132 saugeye at 1.6 inches on 6/1/2023. An annual stocking of 10,000 saugeye at 2 inches is requested each year.

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