Ham Lake

How big is Ham Lake?

How deep is Ham Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Ham Lake?

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Are there places to eat and drink near Ham Lake?

A panfish assessment was conducted in early June to evaluate the bluegill and black crappie populations in Ham Lake. Most of the fishing pressure on Ham Lake appears to be targeted at those two panfish species. Five lake survey trap nets were set and lifted twice for a total of ten net lifts. Past lake surveys have been done on Ham Lake in early June with 2 gill nets and six trap nets.
The 2010 panfish assessment captured 179 bluegill (17.9/TN) between 3.1 and 7.8 inches in length. Mean length for the sample was 5.8 inches and modal length 6 - 6.5 inches. Bluegill exceeding seven inches accounted for 10% (n=18) of the catch. Ages 3 through 10 were represented in the 2010 bluegill catch. Fifty percent (50%) of the fish appeared to be from the 2001 and 2002 year classes. Ages 6 and 7 displayed slow growth and the other age groups normal growth when compared to an area mean back-calculated length table.
A population assessment was conducted in early June of 2002. A total of 348 bluegill were sampled in the six trap nets (58/TN). The fish measured from 3.3 to 8.9 inches in length with a mean length of 6.2 inches. The modal length was the same as in the 2010 assessment,( 6 -6 .5 inches), however, bluegill larger than seven inches accounted for 33% (n=115) of the catch. The 2002 gill nets caught seven bluegill, one of which was 9.1 inches in length. The lake management goals for Ham Lake are to have a bluegill population characterized by 30 - 60 fish per trap net with at least 33% of the catch exceeding seven inches in length. Variable bluegill trap net catch rates appear to be the norm in Ham Lake as the 1990 population assessment had a catch rate of 19/trap net while the 1985 survey catch rate was 145/trap net.
Black crappie catches have also varied between the netting efforts. Twenty-five crappie (2.5/TN) were sampled in the 2010 panfish assessment. The fish measured from 6 to 11.2 inches in length with a mean length of 8.3 inches. Modal length for the catch was 8 - 8.5 inches and six of the crappie (24%) were more than 9 inches in length. Ages 3 through 5 and 7 were represented in the crappie catch with all ages showing normal growth. The majority of the crappie came from the 2005 year class which accounted for 57% of the catch.
The 2002 panfish assessment was more successful at sampling crappie, catching 46 fish (7.7/TN) which displayed a more desirable population size structure. The fish ranged from 4.8 to 10.5 inches in length, with a mean length of 9.1 inches. The modal length was an inch longer at 9 - 9.5 inches and 63% (n=29) of the fish exceeded 9 inches in length. The 1990 population assessment sampled three crappie (1.5/TN) while the 1985 survey caught only one crappie (0.5/TN). Results from the 2010 crappie catch were below the desired management goal of having at least 30% of the catch more than nine inches in length.
Three other panfish species were also sampled in the 2010 panfish assessment. Fifty-one pumpkinseed sunfish between 4.5 and 7.6 inches, and 14 hybrid sunfish ranging from 5.5 to 8.1 inches in length as well as a single seven-inch green sunfish. The trap net catch also included three northern pike between 11 and 30 inches in length. Black bullhead, bowfin, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch were also captured in the 2010 panfish assessment.
Ham Lake is a small lake. The gill nets from previous surveys provided more information on the northern pike and yellow perch populations while the trap nets caught panfish and bullhead. The 2010 panfish assessment did show that there was a range of sizes in the northern pike population although they were not the target species. Future assessments will likely target certain species such as largemouth bass and panfish as they are the primary species targeted by anglers.

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Are there any state parks near Ham Lake?