Star Lake

How big is Star Lake?

How deep is Star Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Star Lake?

What are the closest cities to Star Lake?

Are there boat launches on Star Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Star Lake?

A population assessment was conducted at Star Lake in 2013 to monitor the Lake's fish community. The 2008 Lake Management Plan listed Walleye and Northern Pike as primary management species while Black Crappie and Bluegill were listed as a secondary species. The last severe winterkill on Star Lake occurred in 2001, but a light kill may have also occurred in 2007. Quite a few milder winters over the last decade, along with aeration, may be reducing the frequency (1 in 13 years from 2001-2013) and severity of winterkill at Star Lake. However, fish populations can change drastically if a significant winterkill does occur. A total of 8 different species, plus Hybrid Sunfish, were sampled in 2013.

Gill nets sampled 12 Walleye for a catch rate of 1.3/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type. The 2007 catch rate was also low at 2.4/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 18.0/net with an average of 2.8. In 2013, gill netted Walleye were 10.5 to 24.0 inches long with an average of 19.4. Trap nets sampled 11 Walleye and 7 of those fish were over 25.0 inches in length, with a maximum length of 27.4 inches. Gill netted Walleye were age-2 to age-12 with 6 year-classes being present. Years when Walleye were not stocked made up 8% (1 fish) of the gill net aged Walleye, indicating that natural reproduction had occurred. However, low gill net catches in 2007 and 2013 indicated that recruitment from natural reproduction was not significant at Star Lake. Growth was fast, as would be expected when low numbers of fish were present. The latest stocking regime (2 pounds of fingerlings/littoral acre every-other-year) was initiated in 2009. The 2009 year-class (age-4) and the 2011 year-class (age-2) only produced 4 fish in the 2013 gill net catch. The previous stocking regime (2003 through 2007) was 1 pound of fingerlings/littoral acre every-other-year. That regime produced a total of 8 gill netted Walleye in the 2007 and 2013 assessments. Approximately 179 pounds of yearlings and 327 pounds of adults were also stocked between 2003 and 2008. The average gill net catch rate from the 2007 and 2013 assessments was 1.9/net. The poor performance of these regimes, of various life stages, could be attributed to higher numbers of predatory Northern Pike (averaging 8.7/gill net since 2003), low numbers of Yellow Perch forage averaging 4.5/gill from 2003 and 2007), and low numbers of Black Bullhead forage (averaging 5.7/gill net since 2007). The 2001 fry stocking (1,000/littoral acre), following a severe winterkill, was extremely successful as measured by the 2003 gill net catch (18.0/net, all age-2).

Gill nets sampled 51 Northern Pike for a catch rate of 5.7/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type. The 2007 catch rate was 11.3/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were variable ranging from 0.7 to 11.3/net with an average of 6.2. In 2013, gill netted Northern Pike were 15.8 to 36.1 inches long with an average of 25.3. An impressive 31% of the gill net sample was 30 inches or longer. Trap nets sampled fish up to 36.8 inches in length. Size data indicated that a high quality population was present. Northern Pike were not aged, but the length frequency distribution indicated that multiple age-classes were present. High numbers of Northern Pike in 2003, 2007 and 2013, averaging 8.7/gill net, may be limiting Walleye fingerling and yearling stocking efforts.

Gill nets sampled 101 Yellow Perch for a catch rate of 11.2/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type and the second highest catch rate ever recorded at Star Lake. Yellow Perch were the most abundant fish gill netted in 2013. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 37.0/net with an average of 7.2. The latest three catch rates (2003, 2007, and 2011) indicated a possible slight upward trend in abundance. Gill netted Yellow Perch were 5.3 to 9.1 inches long with an average of 6.4. Although few fish were of an acceptable size for anglers, Yellow Perch were likely an important forage item for predatory fish at Star Lake.

Gill nets sampled 68 Black Crappie for a catch rate of 7.6/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type. The 2007 catch rate was much higher at 51.9/net. Gill net catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 51.9/net with an average of 12.3. In 2013, gill netted Black Crappie were 5.5 to 10.8 inches long with an average of 7.2. Moderate numbers of fish (46) in the 5.5 to 6.9 inch range indicated that substantial recruitment had occurred at Star Lake in recent years. Trap nets sampled 39 Black Crappie for a catch rate of 4.3/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type. The 2007 trap net catch rate was 11.1/net. Trap net catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=11) were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 155.8/net with an average of 18.7. Trap netted Black Crappie were 3.5 to 10.98 inches long with an average of 8.0. Approximately 49% of the trap net sample was 9 inches or longer, indicating that a quality population was present.

Trap nets sampled 89 Bluegill for a catch rate of 9.9/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type. Bluegill were the most abundant fish sampled with the trap nets in 2013. The 2007 catch rate was 24.6/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=11) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 133.8/net with an average of 22.2. In 2013, trap netted Bluegill were 4.2 to 9.7 inches long with an average of 6.3. Approximately 18% of the trap net catch was 7 inches or longer, which was an increase from the 3% that reached 7 inches in 2007.

Spring night-time electrofishing, targeting Largemouth Bass, was not conducted in 2013 due to a lack of time and manpower. In 2013, anecdotal reports from anglers stated that a fair to good bass population was now present at Star Lake. A sustainable Largemouth Bass fishery may be possible at Star Lake, with aeration, and as long as winters are not too severe.

Gill nets sampled 1 Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.1/net, which was below the normal range for a lake of this type. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 232.3/net with an average of 90.1. The last four catch rates (1997 to 2013) may be indicating a downward trend in abundance for Black Bullhead at Star Lake. The 2013 trap net catch rate was 1.1/net and the lowest ever measured at Star Lake. Trap net catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=11) were highly variable, ranging from 1.1 to 645.0/net with an average of 119.3. The last four catch rates (1997 to 2013) indicated a possible downward trend in Black Bullhead abundance at Star Lake. In 2013, trap netted Black Bullhead were 8.1 to 13.7 inches long with an average of 11.9. A possible reason for the apparent decline in Black Bullhead abundance could be the lack of winterkill since 2001. Predator numbers may have been high enough, over the last decade, to significantly limit Black Bullhead recruitment.

Gill nets sampled 0 Carp in 2013. The 2007 catch rate was 2.7/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were variable ranging from 0.0 to 15.0/net with an average of 2.6. Trap nets sampled 6 Carp for a catch rate of 0.7/net, which was below the normal range for a lake of this type. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=11) ranged from 0.0 to 22.2/net with an average of 3.7. Trap netted Carp were 21.9 to 28.9 inches long in 2013 with an average of 25.5. Gill net catch rates (n=3) and trap net catch rates (n=3) from 2003 to 2013 both indicated possible downward trends in Carp abundance at Star Lake.

What is the average air temp for Star Lake?