French Lake

How big is French Lake?

How deep is French Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in French Lake?

What are the closest cities to French Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near French Lake?

A standard survey was conducted at French Lake July 9, 2018, to monitor the lake's fish population. French is a class 30 lake (Schupp's Lake Classification System) and net catches were compared to similar lakes around the state. The 2009 lake management plan (LMP) listed Bluegill and Northern Pike as primary management species, while Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were ranked as secondary species at French. In 2018, a total of 12 species, plus Hybrid Sunfish, were sampled in the gill nets (GN) and trap nets (TN). The dissolved oxygen concentration fell below 2.0 mg/l at 7 feet, indicating a lack of suitable oxygenated habitat below this depth on this date. Water clarity was fair with a secchi disk reading of 5.5 feet. French Lake has experienced partial winterkills in the past and was opened to liberalized fishing as recently as 2008 due to low oxygen levels and expected winterkill. Fish populations on French would be expected to fluctuate widely based on the frequency and severity of the latest winterkill. Immigrants from connected Stahls Lake are believed to quickly help restore fish populations at French following severe winterkills. French Lake is mostly undeveloped and the abundant lily pads make for an enjoyable angling adventure. Small boats should have no problem navigating through the culvert between French and Stahls Lakes, unless water levels are unusually low.

Gill nets sampled 1 Walleye for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was below the lake's normal range. Historic catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=8) were all low, ranging from 0.0 to 2.0/net with an average of 0.8. The Walleye, captured in the GN's, was 19.4 inches long. The fish was most likely an immigrant from Stahls Lake, which wass routinely stocked with Walleye in recent years. Past GN catch rates indicate that few Walleye move out of Stahls and into French.

Gill nets sampled high numbers of Northern Pike (46) for a catch rate of 11.5/net, which was above the lake's normal range and the second highest catch ever recorded at French. The 2009 LMP's long range goal (>5.0 and <12.3/net) was met. The 2008 catch rate was at 4.5/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=8) were variable, ranging from 1.0 to 14.5/net with an average of 8.1. Historically, recruitment would be classified as moderate most years. In 2018, gill netted Northern Pike were 16.2 to 33.1 inches long with an average of 20.9. Only 1 GN sampled Northern Pike was over 24 inches in length, indicating a poor size structure. Natural reproduction provided sufficient recruitment at French Lake. Northern Pike were not aged but size distribution data indicated that multiple year classes were present. New Northern Pike zone regulations went into effect in the spring of 2018. French is in the north central regulation zone, which has a 10 fish bag limit, where all fish from 22 to 26 inches in length have to be immediately released and only two harvested fish can be over 26 inches long. Darkhouse spearers are allowed to have one fish in the protected slot limit. Over the last two decades, French was usually clear enough for darkhouse spearing. Northern Pike anglers should expect plenty of action from mostly smaller sized fish.

Trap nets sampled low numbers (1) of Black Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 0.1/net, which was below the lake's normal range and the second lowest ever recorded at French. The 2009 LMP's long range goal (>1.8 and <18.1/net) was not met in 2018 or 2008 (0.2/net). Catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=10) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 4.3/net with an average of 1.8. The trap netted Black Crappie was 6.1 inches long. Gill nets also sampled low numbers of Black Crappie (11) for a catch rate of 2.8/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2008 GN catch rate was 8.8/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=8) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 8.8/net with an average of 2.4. Gill netted Black Crappie were 5.4 to 9.2 inches long with an average of 7.0. Black Crappie were not aged, but length frequency distributions indicated inconsistent recruitment. Spring angling pressure is often high in the channel between French and Stahls Lakes, with many fishermen targeting Black Crappie.

Trap nets sampled moderate numbers of Bluegill (163) for a catch rate of 18.1/net which was within the lake's normal range. The 2009 LMP's long range goal for Bluegill (>24.6 and <59.6) was not met. The 2008 TN catch rate was 63.6/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=10) were highly variable, ranging from 3.0 to 92.0/net, with an average of 33.6. In 2018, trap netted Bluegill were 3.2 to 7.9 inches long with an average of 5.3. Approximately 5% of the trap net catch was 7 inches or longer, indicating a poor size structure. Data indicated that multiple year classes were present. Every spring, Bluegill are targeted by anglers fishing the channel between French and Stahls Lakes.

Gill nets and trap nets sampled a total of 4 Largemouth Bass, meeting the LMP's long range goal of maintaining the presence of this species. Largemouth Bass from GN's and TN's were 11.6 to 14.2 inches long. Electrofishing is the preferred sampling method for Largemouth Bass but was not conducted due to the boats inability to fit through the culvert that connected French to Stahls Lake. Largemouth Bass anglers might expect some decent action at French Lake.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Yellow Perch (1) for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was below the lake's normal range. The 2008 catch rate was 1.5/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=8) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 7.0/net with an average of 2.6. The gill netted Yellow Perch was 5.7 inches long. Yellow Perch were not aged and data indicated inconsistent recruitment. Over the years, moderate to high numbers of Northern Pike have likely limited the adult Yellow Perch population at French Lake.

Trap nets sampled low numbers (1) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 0.1/net, which was below the lake's normal range. The 2008 catch rate was 0.2/net. Historic catch rates (n=10) from 1973 to 2018 were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 2.3/net with an average of 0.3. All historic TN catch rates were below the lake's normal range, except 1977 (2.3/net). In 2018, the trap netted Common Carp was 24.0 inches long. Gill nets also sampled low numbers of Common Carp (1) for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was below the lake's normal range. Historic GN catch rates (n=8) were all low, ranging from 0.0 to 0.8/net with an average of 0.2. The gill netted Common Carp was not measured. Low numbers of Common Carp over the years have likely benefited the quality submergent plant community present at French Lake.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (86) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 21.5/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. Black Bullhead were the most abundant fish sampled in the GN's. The 2008 catch rate was 5.0/net. Historic GN catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=8) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 159.0/net with an average of 57.3. Gill netted Black Bullhead were 6.9 to 12.7 inches long with an average of 8.9. Trap nets sampled low numbers (3) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.3/net which was below the lake's normal range. Trap netted Black Bullhead were 8.3 to 10.5 inches long with an average of 9.6. Black Bullhead catch rates have not been high since 1990 (153.8/GN), likely reflecting reduced winterkill frequency over the last 28 years.

Additional species sampled in the standard gear included; Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for French Lake?