Swan Lake

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A standard survey (gill nets, trap nets, and spring night-time electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass) was conducted at Swan Lake in 2016 to monitor the Lake's fish population. A total of ten different species, plus Hybrid Sunfish, were sampled in 2016. The lake was well mixed (plenty of oxygen at all depths) on 7/18/16 and water clarity was poor (1.6' secchi disk reading), due to an intense algae bloom. An aeration system was operated annually during the winter to reduce the likelihood and severity of winterkill at Swan Lake. A fishing pier was available to anglers at the County Park on the north side of the lake and a shore fishing area, with picnic tables, was present on the southwest side.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (66) of Walleye for a catch rate of 7.3/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Swan. The 2012 catch rate was much lower at 2.7/net. Historic catch rates (n=14), from 1973 to 2016 and under various stocking regimes, were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 50.4/net with an average of 8.4. Gill netted Walleye were 9.2 to 26.2 inches long with an average of 12.8. Approximately 21% of the gill net catch was 15 inches or longer. Fish (gill and trap net) were age-1 to age-12 with six year classes present, indicating inconsistent recruitment. All (100%) of the gill net aged Walleye matched up with stocked year classes, but three age-1 fish were sampled in the trap nets, indicating that at least a some natural reproduction was occurring. This may indicate that natural reproduction was not significant at Swan Lake, but the actual contribution from natural reproduction during stocked years was unknown. Age-2 fish (2014 year class) made up the majority of the sample (77%) and that year class was considered to be strong in size and should provide better fishing in future years. Overall growth was slow. Numerous (29) 13 to 15 inch long Walleye were observed during the 2016 fall night-time electrofishing and these fish were likely the 2014 year class, indicating that growth rates improved greatly over the summer. The latest fingerling stocking regime (351 pounds every other year) was initiated in 1996. Yearlings were stocked in 2012 due to a fingerling shortage. Gill net catch rates (n=5) during this time period ranged from 2.7 to 13.1/net with an average of 8.0.

Gill nets sampled high numbers (439) of Yellow Perch for a catch rate of 48.8/net, which was above the normal range for lakes similar to Swan. The 2012 catch rate was 3.8/net. Historic catch rates (n=14) from 1973 to 2016 were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 91.6/net with an average of 22.4. Gill netted Yellow Perch were 5.1 to 8.4 inches long with an average of 6.9. Approximately 2% of the catch was 8 inches or longer. Yellow Perch were age-1 to age-4, indicating fairly consistent recruitment. Age-2 and age-3 fish were most abundant accounting for 64 and 30% of the gill netted fish, respectively. Growth was moderate. Adult Yellow Perch were stocked in 2013 (157 pounds) and 2014 (920 pounds) after several assessments with very low catch rates. It was hoped that higher numbers of Yellow Perch would compete with Black Crappie and provide better forage for the diminished Walleye population. Large year classes were produced both of those years in Swan Lake, but it is not 100% certain that they resulted from the stockings, as remnant Yellow Perch were still present in the lake.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (16) of Black Crappie for a catch rate of 1.8/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Swan, but was the second lowest on record. The 2012 catch rate was extremely high (364.9/net). Historical catch rates (n=14) from 1973 to 2016 were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 364.9/net with an average of 77.2. In 2016, gill netted Black Crappie were 5.1 to 9.8 inches long with an average of 7.9. Trap nets also sampled low numbers (38) of Black Crappie for a catch rate of 4.2/net which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Swan. The 2012 trap net catch rate was 71.7/net. Historical catch rates from 1973 to 2016 (n=11) were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 290.2/net with an average of 55.3. Trap netted Black Crappie were 7.2 to 9.2 inches long with an average of 7.9. Approximately 32% of the trap net catch was 8 inches or longer. Black Crappie were estimated to be age-1 to age-7 with five year classes present. The 2014 year class was the largest, accounting for 82% of the catch. Growth for age-2 fish was fast. Swan Lake Black Crappie were used as a source for the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area Kid's Ponds stockings in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 because of the super strong 2010 year class and subsequent slow growth. It was hoped that a decrease in the population would increase growth rates due to the reduced competition. The average length for age-2 and age-3 fish did increase, 0.3 and 0.5 inches, respectively between the 2012 netting and the 2016 assessment.

Trap nets sampled low numbers (40) of Bluegill for a catch rate of 4.4/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Swan. The 2012 catch rate was similar (6.4/net). Catch rates from 1973 to 2016 (n=11) were highly variable ranging from 1.5 to 159.3/net with an average of 34.1. In 2016, trap netted Bluegill were 5.3 to 7.7 inches long with an average of 6.7. Approximately 43% of the catch was 7 inches or longer. Approximately 43% of the catch was 7 inches or longer. In 2016, trap netted Bluegill were age-2 to age-5 with four year classes present. Age-4 fish made up 60% of the trap net catch. Growth was moderate. Bluegill tend to do better in lakes with a moderate abundance of submergent vegetation and better water clarity.

Gill nets sampled high numbers (137) of Channel Catfish for a catch rate of 15.2/net which was the highest ever recorded at Swan Lake. The 2012 catch rate was also high (12.7/net). Historical catch rates, from 1973 to 2016 were variable ranging from 0.0 to 15.2/net with an average of 4.6. Channel Catfish were 9.3 to 22.3 inches long with an average of 13.4. Approximately 18% of the catch was 15 inches or longer, indicating a good population of eater sized fish. The size distribution indicated that multiple year classes were present. Channel Catfish were last stocked in 2005, likely indicating that this population was now being sustained by natural reproduction. Channel Catfish are easily caught and can be filleted just like a Walleye.

Spring night-time electrofishing, targeting Largemouth Bass, sampled low numbers (10) of fish for a catch rate of 7.5/hr., which was the lowest on record for Swan Lake. The 2012 catch rate was similar at 9.0/hr. Historical catch rates (n=7) from 1995 to 2016 were variable, ranging from 7.5 to 60.8/hr. with an average of 34.2. In 2016, fish were 5.8 to 17.9 inches long with an average of 14.4. Largemouth Bass were aged using scales, so fish could be released. Fish were age-1 to age-8 with five year classes present. Growth was moderate. Data indicated that recruitment was inconsistent. Largemouth Bass tend to do better in lakes with a good amount of submergent vegetation and decent water clarity, both of which were lacking at Swan.

Gill nets sampled high numbers (69) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 7.7/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Swan. The 2012 catch rate was also high (5.9/net). Catch rates (n=14) from 1973 to 2016 were mostly low ranging from 0.0 to 14.2/net with an average of 2.0. Gill netted Common Carp were 6.8 to 23.4 inches long with an average of 19.2. Trap nets sampled moderate numbers (15) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 1.7/net, which was also within the normal range for lakes similar to Swan. Length frequency distributions indicated that multiple year classes were present. Common Carp have remained abundant since they showed up in the nets in 2007.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (9) Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 1.0/net, which was below the normal range for lakes similar to Swan and was the second lowest on record. The 2012 catch rate was also low (0.8/net). Historic catch rates (n=14) were highly variable, ranging from 0.8 to 406.8/net with an average of 121.0. Gill netted Black Bullhead were 5.1 to 10.8 inches long with an average of 7.2. Trap nets did not sample any Black Bullhead in 2016. Declines in relative abundance, since the mid-1990's, could be due to the increased numbers of predators (Channel Catfish and Walleye) in the lake over the last 20 years.

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