Stahl's Lake

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A standard survey was conducted at Stahl's Lake on July 2, 2018, to monitor the lake's fish population and evaluate the Walleye stocking regime. Stahl's is a class 24 lake and net catches were compared to similar lakes around the state. The 2014 lake management plan (LMP) listed Bluegill and Largemouth Bass as primary management species, while Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Walleye were ranked as secondary species at Stahl's. In 2018, a total of 12 species, plus Hybrid Sunfish, were sampled in the gill nets (GN), trap nets (TN), and by spring night-time electrofishing (EF) targeting Largemouth Bass. The dissolved oxygen concentration fell below 2.0 mg/l at 14 feet, indicating that the deep parts of the lake lacked adequate oxygen for fish use in early July. Water clarity was fair with a secchi disk reading of 5.0 feet. The reduced visibility was due to an algae bloom. Only Walleye were aged for this survey. Shore anglers have several excellent spots to catch fish at Stahl's including the two rock jetties and a new fishing dock that was installed by DNR Parks and Trails in 2018.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (18) of Walleye for a catch rate of 3.0/net, which was within the lake's normal range. Historic GN catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14), under various stocking regimes or no Walleye stocking were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 4.0/net with an average of 1.5. In 2018, Walleye were 19.1 to 23.2 inches long with an average of 21.1. Walleye were age-3 to age-17 with 6 year classes being present. Age-3 fish, a fry stocked year, were the most abundant, accounting for 44% of the GN aged fish. Non-stocked year classes accounted for 1 of the 18 (6%) Walleye that were aged, and the 17 year old fish was possibly an immigrant from Belle Lake. Walleye were not stocked into Stahl's between 1992 and 2004. An every other year fingerling stocking regime (170 pounds) began in 2005, and could have accounted for 50% of the aged fish in 2018, but natural reproduction and immigration could not be totally ruled out. Fall electrofishing (EW), targeting young of the year Walleye (YWAE), was conducted in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and all three surveys failed to sample any YWAE. The current stocking regime (85,000 fry every other year) began in 2015. The 2015 year class accounted for 44% of the aged fish in 2018. The 2015 year class would be considered moderate in size, while all other year classes were weak. Since EW failed to sample any YWAE in 2015 it could be that there was significant migration from Belle Lake, which was also fry stocked in 2015, or that electrofishing was not representatively sampling YWAE. In 2018, growth for age-3 fish was fast. No age-1 Walleye (2017 year class) were sampled in 2018, but they may have been too small to be effectively sampled by 2018 GN's.

Gill nets sampled high numbers of Northern Pike (60) for a catch rate of 10.0/net, which was above the lake's normal range. The 2014 LMP's long range goal (>1.5 and <7.3/net) was not met. Approximately 64% of the historical catches (n=14) were above the lake's normal range. The 2013 catch rate was also high (12.7/net). Historical GN catch rates from 1951 to 2018 were variable, ranging from to 1.0 to 30.5/net with an average of 9.3. Historically, recruitment would be classified as moderate to high most years. In 2018, gill netted Northern Pike were 17.2 to 30.5 inches long with an average 21.5. Approximately 76% of the GN sample was less than 23 inches in length, indicating a poor size structure. Northern Pike were last stocked into Stahl's Lake in 1986 and natural reproduction has provided sufficient recruitment for decades. 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. Stahl's 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 Stahl's was occasionally clear enough for darkhouse spearing. Pike anglers typically do well trolling crankbaits on the deep weed line, while shore fishermen will have luck casting lures or soaking a sucker minnow.

Trap nets sampled low numbers (27) of Black Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 3.0/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2008 catch rate was similar at 4.0/net. The 2014 LMP's Black Crappie long range goal (>1.8/net) was met in 2018. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 30.0/net with an average of 7.3. Trap netted Black Crappie were 5.6 to 13.8 inches long with an average of 8.0. Approximately 19% of the TN catch was 9 inches or longer, indicating a fair size structure. Gill nets also sampled low to moderate numbers of Black Crappie (40) for a catch rate of 6.7/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2013 GN catch rate was similar at 4.3/net. Historic GN catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=12) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 27.0/net with an average of 6.9. Gill netted Black Crappie were 5.6 to 8.6 inches long with an average of 6.3. Black Crappie were not aged, but size distributions indicated inconsistent recruitment. Spring angling pressure is often high in the channel between Stahl's and French Lakes, with many fishermen targeting Black Crappie.

Trap nets sampled high numbers of Bluegill (718) for a catch rate of 79.8/net which was above the lake's normal range. The 2014 LMP's long range goal for Bluegill (>23.1) was met. The 2008 TN catch rate was 135.2/net. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=13) were highly variable, ranging from 1.0 to 135.2/net, with an average of 53.2. Catch rates from 1990 to 2018 (n=6) were all above the lake's normal range and had an average of 94.9. In 2018, TN Bluegill were 3.3 to 8.3 inches long with an average of 5.8. Approximately 13% of the TN catch was 7 inches or longer, indicating a fair size structure. Bluegill were not aged, but size distribution data indicated that multiple year classes were present. High numbers of smaller sized Bluegill have been consistent at Stahl's for many years, but it's a great lake to take the kids Bluegill fishing because the bobber is always going down. It might take a little sorting, but anglers should be able to get enough fish for supper.

Spring night-time electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass sampled high numbers (82) of fish for a catch rate of 52.3/hour, which was the highest ever recorded at Stahl's. The 2014 LMP's long range goal (>7.9/hour) was met. The 2008 EF catch rate was 6.3/hour. Historic catch rates from 1991 to 2018 (n=7) were variable, ranging from 2.9 to 52.3/hour with an average of 18.0. Approximately 23% of the electrofishing catch was 15 inches or longer, indicating that a quality population was present. Fish were not aged, but size distributions indicated that multiple age classes were present. Bass anglers should find their prey along the weed edges or lurking beneath the lake's lily pads.

Gill nets and trap nets failed to sample any Yellow Perch in 2018. This catch rate (0.0/GN) was below the lake's normal range. The 2013 catch rate was 7.5/GN. Historic catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 64.3/net with an average of 17.1. Current data indicated inconsistent recruitment. High numbers of Northern Pike over the last two decades have likely been a limiting factor on this species.

Trap nets sampled low numbers (8) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 0.9/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2008 catch rate was also low (0.3/net). Historic TN catch rates (n=13) from 1951 to 2018 were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 13.8/net with an average of 1.8. In 2018, TN Common Carp were 18.0 to 28.8 inches long with an average of 20.5. Gill nets also sampled low numbers of Common Carp (8) for a catch rate of 1.3/net, which was within the lake's normal range. Historic GN catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=12) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 8.8/net with an average of 1.6. Gill netted Common Carp were 17.7 to 25.0 inches long with an average of 19.4. Low numbers of Common Carp over the years have likely benefited the quality submergent plant community present at Stahl's Lake. Historical high numbers of Bluegill, a known predator on Common Carp eggs, have likely limited Common Carp reproduction within Stahl's Lake.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (168) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 28.0/net, which was within the lake's normal range. Black Bullhead were the most abundant fish sampled in the GN's in 2018. The 2013 GN catch rate was 0.7/net. Historic GN catch rates from 1973 to 2018 (n=12) were variable, ranging from 0.7 to 166.5/net with an average of 42.4. Gill netted Black Bullhead were 6.1 to 12.3 inches long with an average of 9.2. Approximately 20% of the GN catch was 10 inches or longer, indicating a mediocre size structure. Trap nets sampled low numbers (13) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 1.4/net which was within the lake's normal range. Historic TN catch rates from 1951 to 2018 were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 140.8/net with an average of 30.6. Trap netted Black Bullhead were 9.3 to 12.8 inches long with an average of 10.3. Black Bullhead catch rates have not been high since 1993 (81.5/GN).

Additional species sampled in the standard gear included; Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Stahl's Lake?