Perkins Lake

How big is Perkins Lake?

How deep is Perkins Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Perkins Lake?

What are the closest cities to Perkins Lake?

Are there boat launches on Perkins Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Perkins Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Perkins Lake?

Perkins Lake is a shallow, turbid lake located on the Pomme de Terre River in Stevens County. Poor water quality, lack of submerged aquatic vegetation, and degraded aquatic habitat has been described in lake survey reports since the initial survey in 1947. The river transports excessive amounts of nutrients and sediments through the lake from a very expansive and predominately cultivated watershed area. High total phosphorous and total suspended solid concentrations have been documented in annual water quality monitoring conducted by the Perkins Lake Association. Water transparency during the 2012 assessment was 3.0 feet. Blue-green algae blooms are common in July and August due to elevated nitrogen concentrations.

Preceding fish population assessments were conducted in August. The 2012 fish population assessment was rescheduled to occur in June in order to complete surveys on non infested basins before surveys are conducted in AIS infested waters. Scheduling changes can result in substantial increases or decreases in catch rates and size distribution of gamefish in response to seasonal habitat changes such as water temperature differences, aquatic plant coverage and diversity, or thermal stratification of the water column. Projected impacts of changing the survey date from August to mid-June included a lower walleye catch rate, but greater catches of northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegills, black and white crappies;and yellow perch. Anticipated changes in catch rates were realilzed for some gamefishes. Threre proved to be sufficient changes in capture rates of walleye and northern pike by survey timing to preclude utilization of 2012 catch statistics in trend analyses.

Bluegills are not abundant in Perkins Lake due to limiting habitat conditions, thus the survey timing change had little impact of catch rates. Though not abundant, bluegills grow fast. Most bluegill captures exceeded 8.0 inches in length.

Sight-feeding, ambush predators such as largemouth bass and northern pike face difficult feeding condition and other harsh habitat conditons that limit abundance. Only seven largemmouth bass were captured during the spring electrofishing survey. All were young fish. As projected, the greatest gillnet catch rate of 3.0-pike/net occurred during the June 2012 survey. Pike captures averaged 19.4 inches. The largest caught measured 29.8 inches.

Perkins Lake in the Pomme de Terre River supports a naturally recruiting walleye population. Supplemental fry stockings are programmed in odd-numbered years to sustain greater walleye abundance and a more consistent fishery. Walleye catch rates among surveys completed in August average an exceptional 14.0 walleyes/gillnet. Gillnet catches during thte June 2012 survey averaged only 2.8 fish/net. The population sample was comprised of relatively young walleyes. Captures averaged 15.7 inches in length and 1.5 pounds. No 20.0-inch and larger walleyes common in preceding surveys were recorded in the total walleye catch. It can be assumed that walleye are more abundant than characterized by 2012 survey findings.

Both black and white crappies exist in Perkins Lake. White crappie captures outnumber black crappies. Catch rates of both species exceeded average catches for lakes similar to Perkins Lake. White crappie catches were elevated in response to establishment of a strong year class in 2006. This population offers good fishing, since cohorts of the 2006 year class are 10.0 inches and larger. The largest white crappie captured measured 13.9 inches in length. Black crappie abundance is bouyed by a strong year class established in 2010. Cohorts of this age class should grow to exceed 10.0 inches in length in 2013.

Contrary to expectations, fewer yellow perch were captured during the 2012 survey than the seven preceding surveys. Gillnet catches averaged 6.3 perch/net. Lower catches is concerning since yellow perch grow large enough to add to the fishery. Eighteen percent of perch captured during the 2012 survey exceeded 10.0 inches in length.

Due to limiting habitat conditions for various gamefishes, underutilized or roughfish species constitute much of the lake's carrying capacity. Black bullhead and white sucker comprised over 65% of the poundage of all fish caught in gillnets. Opportunities exist to catch fishes more common to river systems. Survey catches included bigmouth buffalo, river redhorse, shorthead redhorse, and freshwater drum.

Are there any state parks near Perkins Lake?