Hanska Lake

How big is Hanska Lake?

How deep is Hanska Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Hanska Lake?

Are there boat launches on Hanska Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Hanska Lake?

A population assessment was conducted at Hanska Lake, a designated wildlife lake, in 2012 to monitor the fish community and assess the latest walleye stocking regime. An aerator is operated at each end of the lake during the winter to reduce the frequency and severity of winterkill events. No winterkill events have been reported in recent years.

A total of 85 walleyes were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 17.0/net, indicating high numbers were present. The catch rate in 2011 was 14.0/net. Lengths ranged from 12.6 to 15.9 inches long with an average length of 14.0 inches. A total of 8 walleyes up to 16.5 inches long were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 0.7/net. Fish from both gears were either 3 or 4 years old, with over 96% being 4 years old from 2009 when walleye fry were stocked. Growth rates in 2012 were moderate. Four strong year-classes, all during stocked years, have been produced (2001, 2003, 2005, and 2009) since the partial winterkill in 2001, however naturally reproduced contributions cannot be ruled out.

Two northern pike were sampled with the gill nets for a catch rate of 0.4/net, indicating low numbers were present for the 7th consecutive sample since 2001.Gill netted northern pike were 20.5 and 22.5 inches long. One 42.3 inch long northern pike was sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 0.1/net.

Gill nets sampled a total of 249 yellow perch for a catch rate of 49.8/net, indicating high numbers were present for the first time in 9 samples since 1997 (55.0/net). The catch rate in 2011 was 7.3/net. Lengths ranged from 4.5 to 11.8 inches with an average of 7.5 inches. It appears as though the yellow perch population in Hanska Lake has finally recovered from partial winterkill events in 1998 and 2001. Yellow perch were not reintroduced following either event.

A total of 121 black crappie were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 24.2/net, indicating high numbers were present. No black crappies were sampled with gill nets in 2011. In 2012, gill netted black crappies ranged from 5.1 to 7.7 inches long with an average length of 6.5 inches. Trap nets sampled a total of 53 black crappies for a catch rate of 4.4/net, also indicating high numbers were present. Lengths ranged from 5.3 to 11.1 inches with an average of 7.3 inches. Black crappies from both gears ranged from 1-3 years old with 3 year-classes present. Age-1 fish from 2011 accounted for approximately 90% of the sample. Growth rates were fast.

Trap nets sampled 115 bluegills for a catch rate of 9.6/net, indicating high numbers were present. Lengths ranged from 3.0 to 9.4 inches long with an average length of 7.4 inches. Approximately 77% of the trap net sample was over 8 inches. A total of 13 bluegills up to 9.3 inches long were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 2.6/net. Bluegills from trap nets were 1-3 years old with 98% being 3 years old from 2009.

Largemouth bass were not sampled with trap or gill nets in the 2012 or 2011 sample.

Gill nets sampled 18 common carp for a catch rate of 3.6/net, indicating high numbers were present. The catch rate in 2011 was 12.3/net. Lengths ranged from 18.6 to 29.1 inches long with an average length of 20.9 inches. A total of 19 common carp up to 30.0 inches long were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 1.6/net.

A total of 61 black bullheads were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 12.2/net, indicating moderate numbers were present. The catch rate in 2011 was 42.7/net. Black bullhead numbers have decreased considerably after averaging 295.4/net from 1999-2006 following the winterkill events in 1998 and 2001. Only 16 black bullheads were sampled with trap nets in 2012 for a catch rate of 1.3, indicating low numbers were present.

A total of 90 channel catfish were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 18.0/net, indicating high numbers were present and was the highest ever sampled in Hanska Lake. The next highest catch rate was 8.7/net in 2011. Channel catfish were sampled for the first time in 2001. Lengths ranged from 6.5 to 26.1 inches with an average of 20.8 inches. Over 74% of the sample was over 20 inches long. A total of 23 channel catfish up to 24.6 inches long were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 1.9/net. Fish from both gears ranged from 1-7 years old with 5 year-classes present. More than half the sample was from the 2008 year-class. Since channel catfish were only stocked once (2001), it appears there is now a self-sustaining population in Hanska Lake.

Other species sampled in 2012 include bigmouth buffalo, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and hybrid sunfish (Lepomis spp.).

Are there any state parks near Hanska Lake?