PRESQUE ISLE CHAIN - Wisconsin DNR...Mar 03, 2013 · Highest catch (481 fish) occurred in May and...
Transcript of PRESQUE ISLE CHAIN - Wisconsin DNR...Mar 03, 2013 · Highest catch (481 fish) occurred in May and...
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CREEL SURVEY REPORT
PRESQUE ISLE CHAIN VILAS COUNTY
2012-13
Treaty Fisheries Publication
Compiled by Tim Tobias & Jeff Blonski
Treaty Fisheries Technician
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 1 GENERAL LAKE INFORMATION ..................................................................................... 2 Location ........................................................................................................................... 2 Physical Characteristics ................................................................................................... 2 Seasons Surveyed ............................................................................................................. 2 Weather ............................................................................................................................ 2 Sportfishing Regulations .................................................................................................. 2 SPECIES CATCH AND HARVEST INFORMATION ........................................................ 2 CREEL SURVEY RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .............................................................. 3 Survey Logistics ............................................................................................................... 3 General Angler Information ............................................................................................. 3 SPECIES INFORMATION ................................................................................................... 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................................... 4 SUMMARY TABLES Table 1. Sportfishing effort summary .................................................................................... 5 Table 2. Creel survey synopsis ............................................................................................... 6 Table 3. Creel survey synopsis Averill Lake ......................................................................... 7 Table 4. Creel survey synopsis Presque Isle Lake ................................................................. 8 Table 5. Creel survey synopsis Van Vliet Lake ..................................................................... 9 SPECIES CATCH AND HARVEST INFORMATION Gamefish Figure 1. Walleye ............................................................................................................. 10 Figure 2. Northern Pike .................................................................................................... 11 Figure 3. Muskellunge ..................................................................................................... 12 Figure 4. Smallmouth Bass .............................................................................................. 13 Figure 5. Largemouth Bass .............................................................................................. 14 Panfish Figure 6. Yellow Perch .................................................................................................... 15 Figure 7. Bluegill ............................................................................................................. 16 Figure 8. Pumpkinseed ..................................................................................................... 17 Figure 9. Rock Bass ......................................................................................................... 18 Figure 10. Black Crappie ................................................................................................. 19 Cover Art: Steve Hilt, Minocqua, WI Fish Graphics: Virgil Beck, Stevens Point, WI
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INTRODUCTION Fish populations can fluctuate due to natural forces (weather, predation, competition), management actions (stocking, regulations, habitat improvement), inappropriate development (habitat degradation), and harvest impacts. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries crews regularly conduct fishery surveys on area lakes and reservoirs to gather the information needed to monitor changes, identify concerns, evaluate past management actions, and to prescribe good fishery management strategies. Netting and electrofishing surveys are used to gather data on the status of fish populations and communities (species composition, population size, reproductive success, size/age distribution, and growth rates). But the other key component of the fishery that we often need to measure is the harvest. On many lakes in the Ceded Territory of northern Wisconsin, harvest of fish is divided between sport anglers and the six Chippewa tribes who harvest fish under rights granted by federal treaties. The tribes harvest fish mostly using a highly efficient method, spearing, during a relatively short time period in the spring. Every fish in the spear harvest is counted – a complete “census” of the harvest. We also measure the sport harvest to assess its impact on the fishery. But because it would be highly impractical and very costly to conduct a complete census of every angler who fishes on a lake, we conduct creel surveys. A creel survey is an assessment tool used to sample the fishing activities of anglers on a body of water and make projections of harvest and other fishery parameters. Creel survey clerks work on randomly-selected
days and shifts, forty hours per week during the open season for gamefish from the first Saturday in May through the first Sunday in March, except during the month of November when fishing effort is low and ice conditions are often unsafe. The survey is run during daylight hours, and shift times change from month to month as day length changes. Creel survey clerks travel their lakes using a boat or snowmobile to count numbers of anglers on a lake at predetermined times, and to interview anglers who have completed their fishing trip to collect data on what species they fished for, catch, harvest, lengths of fish harvested, marks (finclips or tags), and hours of fishing effort. Collecting completed-trip data provides the most accurate assessment of angling activities, and it avoids the need to disturb anglers while they are fishing. A computer program is used to make projections of total catch and harvest of each species, catch and harvest rates, and total fishing effort, by month and for the year in total. Keep in mind that these are only projections based on the best information available, and not a complete accounting of effort, catch, and harvest. Accurate projections require that we sample a sufficient and representative portion of the angling activity on a lake. The accuracy of creel survey results, therefore, depends on good cooperation and truthful responses by anglers when a creel clerk interviews them. You may have encountered a DNR creel survey clerk on a recent fishing trip. We appreciate your cooperation during an interview. The survey only takes a moment of your time and it gives the Department valuable information needed for management of the fishery.
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This report provides projections of: 1. Overall fishing effort (pressure) 2. Fishing effort directed at each species 3. Catch and harvest rates 4. Numbers of fish caught and harvested Also included are a physical description of Presque Isle Chain; discussion of results of the survey; and detailed summaries, by species of fishing effort, catch and harvest. GENERAL LAKE INFORMATION
Location Presque Isle Chain is located in Vilas County in the Town of Presque Isle. Physical Characteristics Presque Isle Chain is a 1,571 acre chain with a total of three lakes (Averill, Presque Isle, and Van Vliet).Littoral substrate consists primarily of sand, with lesser amounts of muck, and gravel. Presque Isle Chain is a soft water drainage lake with slightly acidic, clear water of moderate transparency. Seasons Surveyed The period referred to in this report as the 2012-13 fishing season ran from May 5, 2012 through March 3, 2013. The open water creel survey ran from May 5 through October 31, 2012 and the ice fishing creel survey ran from December 1, 2012 through March 3, 2013.
Weather Ice-out on Presque Isle Chain was around March 25, 2012. Fishable-ice formed on Presque Isle Chain in mid-December. Sportfishing Regulations The following seasons, daily bag limits, and length limits were in place on Presque Isle Chain during the 2012-13fishing season:
Species SeasonBag
Limit Min. SizeLargemouth Bass& 5/5-6/15 Catch&ReleaseSmallmouth Bass 6/16-3/3 1 18"Musky 5/26-11/30 1 40"Northern Pike 5/5-3/3 5 noneWalleye 5/5-3/3 2* none, 1>14"Panfish year round 25 noneRock Bass year round none none * The statewide bag limit was 5
walleye, but due to tribal declarations it was reduced on Presque Isle Chain.
SPECIES CATCH AND HARVEST INFORMATION Angling effort, catch, and harvest information is summarized for each species in Table 2 and Figures 1-10. Table 2 also includes a comparison of these statistics with the previous creel survey. Information presented about species whose fishing season extends beyond March _ should be considered minimum estimates. Each species page has up to five graphs depicting the following: 1. PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT Total calculated number of hours
during each month that anglers spent fishing for a species.
2. PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH
AND HARVEST RATES Calculated number of hours it takes
an angler to catch or harvest a fish of the indicated species. Only information from anglers who were
Presque Isle Chain
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specifically targeting that species is reported.
3. PROJECTED CATCH AND
HARVEST Calculated number of fish of the
indicated species caught or harvested by all anglers, regardless of targeted species.
4. LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF
HARVESTED FISH All fish of a species that were
measured by the clerk during the entire creel survey season.
5. LARGEST AND AVERAGE
LENGTH OF HARVESTED FISH Monthly largest and average length
of harvested fish of a species. Only those fish measured by the creel survey clerk are reported.
CREEL SURVEY RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Survey Logistics The creel survey went well. We encountered no unusual problems conducting the survey or calculating the projections contained in the report. This was the second time the department conducted a creel survey on Presque Isle Chain. The last creel survey of the Presque Isle Chain took place in 1992-93. General Angler Information Anglers spent 23,021 hours or 14.7 hours per acre fishing Presque Isle Chain during the 2012-13 fishing season (Table 1). That was less than the Vilas County average of 34.6 hours per acre. July was the most heavily fished month (2.8 hours per acre). Fishing effort was lightest in December (0.4 hours per acre) for those months when the
entire month was creeled. RESULTS BY SPECIES Walleye (Table 2, Figure 1) Fishing effort directed at walleye was 4,304 hours during the 2012-13 fishing season. The greatest fishing effort for walleyes was in July (1,164 hours). January had the least amount of walleye fishing effort (45 hours) for a full month creeled. Total catch of walleyes was 1,435 fish with a harvest of 318 fish. Highest catch (481 fish) occurred in May and harvest (77 fish) occurred in October. Anglers fished 3.1 hours to catch and 14.2 hours to harvest a walleyes during 2012-13. The mean length of harvested walleyes was 15.1 inches and the largest walleye measured was a 22.1 inch fish caught on Presque Isle Lake. Northern Pike (Table 2, Figure 2) Fishing effort directed at northern pike was 4,299 hours during the 2012-13 fishing season. Northern pike fishing effort was greatest in July (1,132 hours). Total catch of northern pike was 3,646 fish with a harvest of 669 fish. The mean length of harvested northern pike was 19.8 inches and the largest northern pike measured was a 28 inch fish caught on Van Vliet Lake. Muskellunge (Table 2, Figure 3) Muskellunge received the most fishing effort during the 2012-13 fishing season. Anglers spent 8,006 hours targeting muskellunge. Muskellunge fishing effort was greatest in September (1,959 hours).
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Total catch of muskellunge was 208 fish. Highest catch (59 fish) occurred in June. Anglers fished 44.5 hours to catch a muskellunge during 2012-13 Smallmouth Bass (Table 2, Figure 4) Fishing effort targeted at smallmouth bass was 1,935 hours during the 2012-13 fishing season. Smallmouth bass fishing effort was greatest in May (690 hours). Total catch of smallmouth bass was 1,300 fish with 13 harvested. Highest catch (373 fish) occurred in May. Anglers fished 2.4 hours to catch a smallmouth bass during 2012-13. Largemouth Bass (Table 2, Figure 5) Fishing effort directed at largemouth bass was 1,498 hours during the 2012-13 fishing season. Largemouth bass fishing effort was greatest in July (750 hours). Total catch of largemouth bass was 833 fish with a harvest of 4 fish. Highest catch (306 fish) occurred in June. Anglers fished 2.8 hours to catch a largemouth bass during 2012-13. Panfish (Table 2, Figures 6-10) Black crappies were the most sought after panfish species during the survey. Fishing effort directed at black crappies was 5,263 hours. Anglers caught 6,096 black crappies and harvested 1,699 fish. The mean length of black crappies harvested was 9.4 inches. Bluegills were the second most sought after panfish species during the survey. Fishing effort directed at bluegills was 5,008 hours. Total catch of bluegills was 16,318 fish with 2,891 harvested. The mean length of bluegills harvested was 7.2 inches.
Yellow perch were the third most sought after panfish species during the survey. Fishing effort directed at yellow perch was 4,763 hours. Total catch of yellow perch was 9,479 fish with 2,423 harvested. The mean length of yellow perch harvested was 8.7 inches. Pumpkinseeds and rock bass were also caught during the 2012-13 season. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Completion of this survey was possible because of the efforts of the technical staff of the fisheries management and Treaty Fisheries Unit. Treaty staff responsible for ensuring completion of this survey included Jonathan Pyatskowit, Jeff Blonski, Joelle Underwood, Marty Kiepke, Jason Halverson, and Tim Tobias. Marty Kiepke was the creel clerk on Presque Isle Chain during the survey period. We also thank all the anglers who took the time to offer information about their fishing trip to the survey clerk. Without their cooperation the survey would not have been possible. The department thanks the cooperators, Tim, Kim, and Cameil Bowler of Alpine Resort who generously allowed the department to keep a boat and snowmobile on their property during this survey. This creel report was reviewed by, Steve Gilbert and Dennis Scholl of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Woodruff, Wisconsin. Additional copies of this report and those covering other local lakes can be obtained from the Woodruff DNR or online at: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/ceded/reports.html
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Table 1. Sportfishing effort summary, the Presque Isle Chain, 2012-13 season
MonthTotal Angler
HoursTotal Angler Hours/Acre
Vilas County Average
Hours/Acre
Statewide Average
Hours/AcreMay 2902 1.8 5.2 5.8June 3952 2.5 6.8 6.1July 4394 2.8 7.5 6.4August 3778 2.4 6.4 5.4September 3395 2.2 4.2 3.8October 1581 1.0 2.0 1.6December 660 0.4 0.5 1.7January 1394 0.9 0.8 1.5February 851 0.5 1.0 1.3March 115 0.1 0.2 ***Summer Total 20001 12.7 32.1 29.1*Winter Total 3020 1.9 2.5 4.5Grand Total 23021 14.7 34.6 33.6
*"Summer" is May-October; "Winter" is December-March**Too few lakes have been surveyed in March to give a meaningful statewide average.
Statewide Average Hours/Acre is the average angler effort in hours per acre for inland lakes in the state surveyed between 1990 and 1995. This value can be used to compare the Presque Isle Chain to other lakes statewide.
Total Angler Hours is the estimated total number of hours that anglers spent fishing on the Presque Isle Chain during each month surveyed.
Total Angler Hours/Acre is the total angler hours divided by the area of the lake in acres. This is useful if you wish to compare effort on the Presque Isle Chain to other lakes.
County Average Hours/Acre is the average angler effort in hours per acre for county lakes that have been surveyed since 1990. This value can be useful in comparisons as well.
Table 2. Comparison of creel survey synopses, Presque Isle Chain, 2012-13 and 1992-93 fishing seasons.
CREEL YEAR: 2012-13
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish) **
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 4304 11.89% 1435 3.1 318 14.2 15.1Northern Pike 4299 11.88% 3646 1.6 669 7.1 19.8Muskellunge 8006 22.12% 208 44.5 0Smallmouth Bass 1935 5.35% 1300 2.4 13 147.1 18.6Largemouth Bass 1498 4.14% 833 2.8 4 15.1Yellow Perch 4763 13.16% 9479 0.6 2423 2.1 8.7Bluegill 5008 13.83% 16318 0.3 2891 1.8 7.2Pumpkinseed 967 2.67% 2200 1.4 250 5.6 7.1Rock Bass 158 0.44% 979 2.7 40 5.7 7.3Black Crappie 5263 14.54% 6096 0.9 1699 3.2 9.46
* A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were caught by anglers who specifically targeted that species.** A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were harvested by anglers who specifically targeted that species.
CREEL YEAR: 1992-93
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish)TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish)
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 14884 40.08% 4488 3.3 2819 5.3 14.9Northern Pike 3552 9.56% 3107 1.1 338 10.5 19.6Muskellunge 4371 11.77% 61 71.1 5 860.3 36.2Smallmouth Bass 137 0.37% 25 5.5 0Largemouth Bass 505 1.36% 68 7.4 6 80.2 13.3Yellow Perch 4785 12.88% 14662 0.3 3214 1.5 7.6Bluegill 4345 11.70% 4054 1.1 335 13.0 6.6Pumpkinseed 1364 3.67% 2870 0.5 289 4.7 5.8Rock Bass 377 1.02% 1168 0.3 170 2.2 7.1Black Crappie 2818 7.59% 1168 2.4 826 3.4 8.7
Table 3. Comparison of creel survey synopses, Averill Lake, 2012-13 and 1992-93 fishing seasons.
CREEL YEAR: 2012-13
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish) **
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 0 0.00% 0 0Northern Pike 9 5.59% 18 0.5 0Muskellunge 0 0.00% 0 0Smallmouth Bass 0 0.00% 0 0Largemouth Bass 77 47.83% 57 0Yellow Perch 0 0.00% 0 0Bluegill 75 46.58% 222 0.3 9 8.2 7.3Pumpkinseed 0 0.00% 64 0Rock Bass 0 0.00% 0 0Black Crappie 0 0.00% 0 07
* A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were caught by anglers who specifically targeted that species.** A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were harvested by anglers who specifically targeted that species.
CREEL YEAR: 1992-93
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish)TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish)
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 26 1.86% 0 0.0Northern Pike 150 10.72% 14 11.1 0 0.0Muskellunge 0 0.00%Smallmouth Bass 0 0.00%Largemouth Bass 42 3.00% 0 0.0 0 0.0Yellow Perch 312 22.30% 1446 0.3 40 7.7 7.0Bluegill 494 35.31% 1844 0.3 211 2.9 6.7Pumpkinseed 306 21.87% 1097 0.3 21 14.3 6.1Rock Bass 0 0.00% 8 0Black Crappie 69 4.93% 64 1.1 27 2.5 9.0
Table 4. Comparison of creel survey synopses, Presque Isle Lake, 2012-13 and 1992-93 fishing seasons.
CREEL YEAR: 2012-13
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish) **
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 3308 30.14% 1324 2.5 287 12.0 14.9Northern Pike 207 1.89% 27 181.8 4 24.8Muskellunge 3348 30.50% 72 59.9 0Smallmouth Bass 1605 14.62% 1126 2.2 13 122.0 18.6Largemouth Bass 79 0.72% 0 0Yellow Perch 1341 12.22% 2126 0.7 672 2.0 8.7Bluegill 735 6.70% 1860 0.5 184 4.0 7.0Pumpkinseed 73 0.67% 116 0Rock Bass 0 0.00% 231 6 8.2Black Crappie 281 2.56% 174 1.9 9 31.1 9.6
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* A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were caught by anglers who specifically targeted that species.** A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were harvested by anglers who specifically targeted that species.
CREEL YEAR: 1992-93
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish)TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish)
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 9863 59.19% 3495 2.8 2286 4.3 14.1Northern Pike 520 3.12% 56 51.6 0 0.0Muskellunge 2401 14.41% 30 80.7 5 476.2Smallmouth Bass 39 0.23% 6 0.0 0 0.0Largemouth Bass 97 0.58% 19 0.0 0 0.0Yellow Perch 1637 9.83% 2124 0.8 862 2.0 7.9Bluegill 1364 8.19% 872 2.1 2 12.1 6.5Pumpkinseed 359 2.16% 582 0.7 133 2.8 5.5Rock Bass 230 1.38% 868 1.1 153 7.3 7.5Black Crappie 151 0.91% 11 0.0 0 0.0
Table 5. Comparison of creel survey synopses, Van VlietLake, 2012-13 and 1992-93 fishing seasons.
CREEL YEAR: 2012-13
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish) **
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 996 3.97% 111 10.1 31 35.2 16.3Northern Pike 4083 16.29% 3601 1.5 665 6.7 19.8Muskellunge 4658 18.59% 136 37.6 0Smallmouth Bass 330 1.32% 174 3.4 0Largemouth Bass 1342 5.35% 776 2.8 4 15.1Yellow Perch 3422 13.65% 7353 0.6 1751 2.1 8.7Bluegill 4198 16.75% 14236 0.3 2698 1.6 7.2Pumpkinseed 894 3.57% 2020 1.3 250 5.2 7.1Rock Bass 158 0.63% 748 2.7 34 5.7 7.2Black Crappie 4982 19.88% 5922 0.9 1690 3.0 9.4
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* A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were caught by anglers who specifically targeted that species.** A blank cell in this column indicates that no fish of a given species were harvested by anglers who specifically targeted that species.
CREEL YEAR: 1992-93
SPECIES
DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)
PERCENTOF TOTAL
TOTALCATCH
SPECIFICCATCHRATE
(Hrs/Fish)TOTAL
HARVEST
SPECIFICHARVEST
RATE(Hrs/Fish)
MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED
FISHWalleye 4996 26.19% 993 5.1 534 9.4 15.8Northern Pike 2882 15.11% 3036 1.9 338 14.6 19.6Muskellunge 1969 10.32% 32 0 36.2Smallmouth Bass 98 0.52% 19 0Largemouth Bass 366 1.92% 49 17.7 6 13.3Yellow Perch 2836 14.86% 11091 0.4 2312 1.6 8.0Bluegill 2487 13.04% 1337 2.2 121 22.1 6.5Pumpkinseed 699 3.66% 1191 0.8 136 9.6 5.8Rock Bass 147 0.77% 292 4.7 17 0.0 6.7Black Crappie 2598 13.62% 1093 2.6 799 3.6 8.4
Figure 1. Walleye sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
10
2.1 2.0
110.8
1.6 3.2 1.4 0.0 2.0
22.3
0.0
18.5 9.1
0.0 6.2 8.6 5.8
0.0
14.1
29.0
0.0 0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
481
197
10
214 179
315
0 24 15 0 55 41
0 56 73 77
0 5 11 0 0
100
200
300
400
500
600
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
1 1
9
19
9
6
9
2 2 3
2 2 1
02468
101214161820
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
17.7
13.7 13.0 13.5
15.7 16.9
15.2
20.2
15.2 14.1
17.1
22.1 21.1
20.2
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
1006
374
1164
351
524 443
65 45
332
0 0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
WALLEYE
Figure 2. Northern pike sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
11
2.5 0.7 1.5 1.4
14.1
1.1 1.4 3.6 4.3
0.0 0.0
28.0
5.7
10.0
0.0 0.0 2.8
6.0 7.6
0.0 0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
387
1123
877
462
80 63
290 296
68 0 11 25
235
40 3 0
143 175 37 0
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
6 6
15 15
23
20
25
12
18
11
3
6
2 1 1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
24.6
19.6 18.8
21.3
23.4
19.5 20.1 20.4
26.5
21.8
27.4
24.2 23.4
28.0
25.3 26.2
1012141618202224262830
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
406
529
1132
394
73 31
399
1056
244
35
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT NORTHERN PIKE
Figure 3. Muskellunge sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
12
10.0 30.9
217.5
46.3 66.5
43.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
48
59
6
40
30 25
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10203040506070
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.N
UM
BER
OF
FISH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
324
1450 1349
1835 1959
1089
0 0 0 0 0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
MUSKELLUNGE
Figure 4. Smallmouth bass sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
13
2.1 4.3 4.0
2.5 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
28.3
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
373
121
221
340
236
0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
50100150200250300350400
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
690
324
221
372 328
0 0 0 0 0 0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT SMALLMOUTH BASS
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
18.6 18.6
1011121314151617181920
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
Figure 5. Largemouth bass sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
14
0.0 1.3
3.9 5.0
1.7
13.3
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.02.04.06.08.0
10.012.014.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
15.1 15.1
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
0
293
750
330
91 34 0 0 0 0
0100200300400500600700800
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS
0
306 273
110 94
11 0 37
2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
Figure 6. Yellow perch sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
15
0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5
5.5 5.0
1.9 1.8
2.7
0.5
1.5 1.8
3.2
2.3
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
779 662
1555
1216
947
185
902
2295
752
186 65 97
505 341
182 88 278
690
135 42 0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
1 5
39
153
84
32
6
020406080
100120140160180
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
8.3 8.5 8.8
8.4 8.6 9.0 8.9 8.7 8.8 8.5
10.3
9.2
10.6
9.6
10.5 10.2
11.1 11.4
10.6
9.6
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
325 333
887
582
406
42
412
1264
421
91
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
YELLOW PERCH
Figure 7. Bluegill sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
16
0.3 0.3 0.9 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 3.3 2.1
28.1
3.5 2.9 0.0 1.3 0.9 1.4 0.8
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
1561
2584
1314
3080
737
0
912
4262
1314
554 137 331
21 280 105 0
310
1284
312 111 0
50010001500200025003000350040004500
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
21
65
125
44
11
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
7.3 7.3
8.9
7.0 7.2 7.5 7.1
6.7
8.0 8.1
9.0
7.9 8.1
9.8
8.5 9.2
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
453 602 588
959
279
11
407
1217
401
91
0200400600800
100012001400
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
BLUEGILL
Figure 8. Pumpkinseed sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
17
3.3 1.1 1.5
0.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 1.6 2.3
0.3
3.3
6.7
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
6.4 5.3
22.0
1.1
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
14
609
170
594
59 0
142
315
90
207
8 57
0 0 5 0 41
84 12 43
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
1
17
45
1 05
101520253035404550
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
7.2 7.4 7.0 7.0 7.1
6.9 7.0 7.2
7.8
7.1
8.4
7.7
7.1 7.3
566778899
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
28
206
9 0 0 0
206
337
146
35
050
100150200250300350400
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
PUMPKINSEED
Figure 9. Rock bass sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
18
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2.7
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
5.7
0.0 0.0 0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
325 312
183
0
91
0 0
68
0 0 0 0 6 0 6 0 0 28
0 0 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
2
4
1
0112233445
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
7.6
8.2
7.1
7.6
8.2
7.4
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
158
0 0 0
20406080
100120140160180
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
ROCK BASS
Figure 10. Black crappie sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Presque Isle Chain, during 2012-13.
19
0.3 0.6 0.9 5.4
0.9 4.0
11.3 6.7
2.3 3.4 1.5 2.1 4.0
41.0
1.9 0.0
13.0 11.2
5.0 5.4
0.05.0
10.015.020.025.030.035.040.045.0
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
HO
UR
S PE
R F
ISH
MONTH
PROJECTED SPECIFIC CATCH AND HARVEST RATES
CATCH HARVEST
2632
1414
881
70
725
3 35 162 144 30
552 365
212 9
349 0 30 98 65 19
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
MONTH
PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST
CATCH HARVEST
6
39
126
38
3 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
NU
MB
ER O
F FI
SH
INCHES
LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF FISH MEASURED BY THE CREEL CLERK
9.5 9.6 9.4 9.6 9.3 9.4 9.3 8.9 8.8
11.1 11.5
10.2 10.2 10.7 10.5
10.9 10.4
9.4
56789
101112
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
INC
HES
MONTH
AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED
AVERAGE LARGEST
826 785 718
380
658
6
393
1069
324
104
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.
ANG
LIN
G H
OU
RS
MONTH
PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT
BLACK CRAPPIE