Richardson Lake

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A standard survey was conducted at Richardson Lake on June 11, 2018, to monitor the lake's fish population and to do a preliminary evaluation of the Walleye stocking regime. Richardson is a class 24 lake and net catches were compared to similar lakes around the state. The 2013 lake management plan (LMP) listed Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and White Crappie as primary management species, while Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye were ranked as secondary species at Richardson. In 2018, a total of 9 species 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 17 feet, indicating that deeper parts of the lake were not suitable for fish use on June 12. Water clarity was poor with a secchi disk reading of 2.0 feet. The cause for the reduced visibility was due to an algae bloom. Only Walleye were aged for this survey. Richardson had a history of occasional partial winterkill with the last event occurring in 1997.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (30) of Walleye for a catch rate of 5.0/net, which was within the lake's normal range and the highest ever recorded at Richardson Lake. The 2013 LMP's long range Walleye goal (>2.8/GN) was met. The 2012 GN catch rate was 2.2/net. Historic catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14), under various stocking regimes or no stocking were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 5.0/net with an average of 1.4. In 2018, Walleye were 17.4 to 23.4 inches long with an average of 19.5. Approximately 87% of the GN catch was 18 inches or longer, indicating a quality size structure. Walleye were age-4 to age-10 with 4 year classes being present. Age-4 fish, tracked to a fingerling stocked year (2014), were the most abundant in the catch, accounting for 83% of the GN aged fish. The 2014 year class would be considered strong. All other year classes were considered weak. Age classes from non-stocked year classes accounted for 1 of the 30 (3%) Walleye that were aged, possibly indicating that natural reproduction and immigration from the North Fork of the Crow River were not significant at Richardson. Connected Dunns Lake was stocked in the same years with the same year classes (fingerlings or yearlings) of fish from 2004 through 2016. From 1981 to 2003, Walleye were not stocked into Richardson Lake and the GN catch rate in 1999 was 0.0/net, indicating that stocking is necessary to produce a Walleye fishery at Richardson. In 2018, growth for age-4 Walleye was fast when compared to other lakes statewide. The current high numbers of Yellow Perch (20.5/net in 2018) and low numbers of Northern Pike (2.2/net in 2018) were likely key factors that contributed to higher Walleye GN catch rate in 2018.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Northern Pike (13) for a catch rate of 2.2/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2013 LMP's Northern Pike long range goal (>1.5/GN) was met. The 2012 GN catch rate was similar (3.8/net). Historical catch rates (n=14) from 1951 to 2018 were mostly low, ranging from to 0.0 to 9.3/net with an average of 2.8, indicating low recruitment most years. In 2018, gill netted Northern Pike were 22.0 to 31.5 inches long with an average of 26.9. Northern Pike were last stocked into Richardson Lake in 1992. Northern Pike were not aged, but size distribution data indicated that multiple year classes were present, although recruitment would probably be classified as sporadic. New Northern Pike zone regulations went into effect in the spring of 2018. Richardson 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.

Trap nets sampled high numbers (339) of Black Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 37.7/net, which was above the lake's normal range. The 2008 catch rate was even higher at 122.1/net. The 2013 LMP's long range goal (>6.5/TN) was met in 2018. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 122.1/net with an average of 30.4. Trap netted Black Crappie were 3.5 to 11.3 inches long with an average of 6.7. Approximately 12% of the TN catch was 9 inches or longer, indicating a modest size structure. Gill nets also sampled high numbers of Black Crappie (615) for a catch rate of 102.5/net, which was above the lake's normal range and the second highest GN catch ever recorded at Richardson. The 2012 GN catch rate was 19.5/net. Gill net catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 122.0/net with an average of 38.5, indicating a moderate to high abundance most of the time. Gill netted Black Crappie were 3.5 to 10.9 inches long with an average of 6.2. Black Crappie were not aged, but size distributions indicated adequate recruitment.

Trap nets sampled moderate to high numbers of Bluegill (293) for a catch rate of 32.6/net which was within the lake's normal range. The 2013 LMP's long range goal for Bluegill (>7.5) was met. The 2008 TN catch rate was 16.2/net. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 1.0 to 65.5/net, with an average of 24.0. In 2018, TN Bluegill were 4.7 to 8.1 inches long with an impressive average length of 7.1 inches. Approximately 67% of the TN catch was 7 inches or longer. Data indicated a quality size structure. Bluegill were not aged, but size distributions indicated that multiple year classes were present, however recruitment was not consistent. Bluegill were last stocked in 1972.

Spring night-time electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass sampled high numbers (113) of fish for a catch rate of 108.5/hour, which was the highest catch ever recorded at Richardson. The 2013 LMP's long range goal (>10/hour) was met. The 2008 EF catch rate was 22.4/hour. Historic catch rates from 1991 to 2018 (n=7) were variable, ranging from 2.4 to 108.5/hour with an average of 42.1. Largemouth Bass were 8.5 to 20.6 inches long with an average of 13.0, indicating that a quality population was present. Fish were not aged but size distributions indicated that multiple age classes were present. Recruitment would not be considered consistent. Bass anglers may want to target docks, as submergent vegetation was typically not abundant at Richardson Lake.

Gill nets sampled high numbers (123) of Yellow Perch for a catch rate of 20.5/net which was within the lake's normal range. The 2012 catch rate was 14.7/GN. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 3.5 to 164.3/net with an average of 32.5. Gill netted Yellow Perch were 5.4 to 9.1 inches long with an average of 7.5, indicating a poor size structure as far as anglers were concerned. Yellow Perch were likely an important forage item for Walleye and Northern Pike.

Trap nets failed to sample White Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 0.0/net, which was below the lake's normal range and tied with 1951 and 1974 for the lowest catches on record. The 2008 TN catch rate was 67.0/net. The 2013 LMP's long range goal (>6.5/TN) was not met in 2018. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 187.0/net with an average of 45.0. Gill nets failed to sample White Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 0.0/net, which was below the lake's normal range and was tied with 1974 for the lowest catch rate on record. The 2012 GN catch rate was 0.7/net. White Crappie GN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 17.2/net with an average of 6.5.

Trap nets sampled low numbers (10) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 1.1/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2008 TN catch rate was 0.2/net. Historic TN catch rates (n=14) from 1951 to 2018 were mostly low, ranging from 0.8 to 12.9/net with an average of 2.2. In 2018, TN Common Carp were 19.0 to 27.4 inches long with an average of 24.5. Gill nets also sampled low numbers of Common Carp (2) for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was within the lake's normal range. Historic GN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 44.5/net with an average of 4.4. Gill netted Common Carp were 23.5 and 25.9 inches long.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (2) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was below the lake's normal range. The 2012 catch rate was also low at 2.3/net. Historic GN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 42.2/net with an average of 10.9. Gill netted Black Bullhead were 8.4 and 9.8 inches long with an average of 9.1. Trap nets also sampled low numbers (1) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.1/net which was below the lake's normal range. Historic TN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 13.9/net with an average of 2.1. Black Bullhead catch rates have not been high since 2003 (42.2/GN).

Additional species sampled in the standard gear included; White Sucker (0.2/GN).

What is the average air temp for Richardson Lake?