Barker Lake

How big is Barker Lake?

How deep is Barker Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Barker Lake?

What are the closest cities to Barker Lake?

Are there boat launches on Barker Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Barker Lake?

Barker Lake is currently managed for Walleye and Northern Pike. Management goals from the latest (2014) lake management plan are to maintain a Walleye population with a minimum gill net catch of 5.0 fish/set, with some fish over 20 inches. Goals for the Northern Pike population are a minimum gill net catch of 2.0 fish/set, with some fish over 25 inches present. This was the first of two standard surveys scheduled in the 2014 plan. Objectives for those surveys were to determine whether the Walleye and Northern Pike populations were meeting their catch and size goals, and to monitor development of the Black Crappie population.

Fair numbers of Walleye were seen in the 2018 survey. The Walleye gill net catch fell short of the long range catch goal for the species in this lake; however, it still fell within the normal range for a lake of this class, and was similar to catches seen when the lake was regularly stocked with Walleye. The mean weight of Walleye taken in gill nets was one of the highest seen in this lake, and the size goal from the 2014 plan was met by the capture of two fish over 20 inches in length. Several year classes contributed to the catch. None appeared to have been exceptionally strong, but all had been naturally produced. Walleye growth appeared to have been close to average. Fish reached a mean length of 12.4 inches at the end of their fourth year, compared to an area mean of 13.4 inches.

The 2018 survey also saw fair numbers of Northern Pike, in a range of sizes (up to 31.9 inches). The Northern Pike gill net catch also fell short of the goal set in the 2014 plan, but the size goal was met. Similarly low Northern Pike catches had also been seen in the last two surveys (2004 and 2013), and catches have never exceeded 3.00 fish/set in this lake. Although no structures were taken to determine age or growth, it was apparent from the lengths of fish captured that several year classes had contributed to the 2018 catch.

The 2018 Yellow Perch gill net catch fell within the normal range for a lake of this type, and was similar to all past catches seen in this lake. Most of the Yellow Perch taken were too small to have been of much interest to anglers, but the species should have provided adequate forage for Walleye and Northern Pike. A few small White Sucker were also available as forage for some of the larger Northern Pike present.

Past surveys of this lake have collected small numbers of Black Crappie, and it was thought that population might at some point begin to expand. None were taken in this survey. Smallmouth Bass have also been taken in small numbers in this lake in the past, and have been reported by anglers, but they also were absent from the 2018 catch. Both species were likely still present in 2018.

Are there any state parks near Barker Lake?