Pike River Flowage

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The Pike River Flowage is located five miles west of Tower with its main access via a gravel ramp off State Highway 1 just upstream of the impounding dam. This 254-acre reservoir is fed by the Pike River from the West and exits over a dam into Pike Bay on Lake Vermilion. The reservoir has a maximum depth of 23 feet, Secchi disk reading of 3.5 feet, and brown-colored water. The deeper, channelized basin north of the HWY 1 bridge had a surface temperature of 69.8 F and contained dissolved oxygen sufficient for fish down to 9 feet where the temperature was 68.7 F. The shallow flooded basin south of the bridge was weakly stratified with a surface temperature of 68.4 F and a bottom temperature of 67.5 F. Dissolved oxygen levels were sufficient for fish to the bottom.

This population assessment consisted of six gill net and nine trap net sets. The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was above average at 20.0 fish/net. Gill net catches were dominated by walleye, white sucker, and northern pike. The overall trap net catch rate for all fish combined was below average at 8.9 fish/net. Trap net catches were primarily white sucker, northern pike and black crappie. Bluegill were sampled in low numbers.

Walleye abundance (5.0/net) was the second highest in all surveys of the flowage. Lengths ranged from 7.5 to 24 inches with an average of almost 14 inches. Walleye ages ranged from 1 to 15 years, though most of the catch was age 5 or less. Recruitment of years 2 through 5 was consistent. Walleye growth was average for the Tower area.

Northern Pike abundance (1.7/net) was below average. Lengths ranged from 12.0 to almost 30 inches with a mean of 20 inches. Most of the northern pike sampled appeared skinny and had pronounced neascus infestations. This parasite, also known as black spot, is not a health hazard. Fish should be thoroughly cooked.

Black crappie abundance (1.7/net) was below average for the PRF but average for similar area lakes. Lengths ranged from 5 to 12.5 inches with an average of 9 inches. Black crappie growth was near average. Only 2018 stood out as a stronger year class, although natural reproduction was consistent.

Bluegill abundance (0.9/net) was low, but the fish present were quality. Lengths ranged from 5.5 to 9.8 inches with a mean of 7.6 inches. Growth was notably fast for the area.

Smallmouth bass were present in both gears. One 15 inch smallmouth was present in a gill net and trap nets captured two at 11.5 and 17.5 inches. Standard survey gear underrepresents smallmouth bass numbers, and anglers may find more bass than our nets suggest.

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