Pike River Flowage

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The Pike River Flowage is located five miles west of Tower with its main access via a gravel ramp off of State Highway 1. This 254 acre reservoir is fed by the Pike River on its far west side and outflows over an aged power dam into Pike Bay on Lake Vermilion. It has a maximum depth of 23 feet and the water color is brown.

The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 17.2 fish/net. Fish species sampled in gill nets were white sucker (37%), rock bass (20%), northern pike (17%), black crappie (11%), yellow perch (7%), walleye (6%), and smallmouth bass (2%).
The overall trap net catch rate for all fish combined was 27.9 fish/net, this is the highest catch on record. Fish species sampled in trapnets were bluegill (35%), rock bass (23%), black crappie (19%), northern pike (6%), white sucker (6%), walleye (4%) pumpkinseed (3%), yellow perch (3%), and hybrid sunfish (1%).

The walleye gillnet catch on the flowage was 1.0 fish/net and the trap net catch was 1.2 fish/net. Historically, both gear types have an average catch rate of 0.8 fish/net on this lake. Trapnet caught fish ranged in size from 7 to 26 inches with an average of 13 inches. Gillnetted walleye sizes were more compressed with a range of 8 to 15 inches and an average of 12 inches. Growth was slow when compared to other lakes in the area. Ages ranged from 1 to 6 years old. The largest individual at 26 inches was not aged as it was captured in a trap net and aging structures were not taken. The flowage has not been stocked since 2002 so it appears walleye are naturally reproducing.

The northern pike gillnet catch rate was 3.0 fish/gill net which is above the historic average of 2.8 fish/net for the flowage. Sizes ranged from 13 to 27 inches with an average of 19 inches. The growth rate is near the average for lakes in the area. The oldest fish were five years old. Of sixteen pike examined for diseases and parasites, fourteen contained neascus, also known as black spot, and of those, several of the infestations were quite severe.
Two smallmouth bass were sampled for the first time. They were 14 and 15 inches apiece and ages 3 and 4 respectively.

Black crappie were sampled at a rate of 5.2 fish/trapnet. This was higher than the previous survey and very good when compared to other similar lakes throughout the state. Lengths ranged from 4 to 12 inches with an average of 7 inches. Growth rates appeared good when compared to other lakes in the area. The oldest fish were five years old. The 2011 year class was exceptionally strong, nearly 66% of all the crappies sampled came from this year class. These exceptional year classes can be typical of boom-and-bust species such as crappie.

Bluegill numbers have increased in the flowage. This assessments catch rate was 9.8 fish/trapnet which is better than the previous high mark which came in 2004 at 7.3 fish/net. This catch rate was also higher than 75% of other similar lakes throughout the state. Sizes ranged from 4 to 10 inches with an average of 6 inches. Growth was good when compared to other lakes with bluegill in the area. Fish up to age 11 were sampled and similarly to the crappies, a large percentage of the fish (74%) came from the 2011 year class.

The yellow perch catch rate of 1.2 fish/gillnet is low when compared to historic data for the lake and when compared to other similar lakes throughout the state. Sizes ranged from 6 to 11 inches with an average of 7 inches.

One rusty crayfish was captured in a gill net. This is the first documentation of this invasive species in the Pike River Flowage.

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