2011 Spring Shocking Runs by DNR WI

This posting is done on behalf of Jerry Merrifield.

At the 2011 Pigeon Lake Picnic, Jerry Merrifield reported on the spring shocking runs by the Bureau of Fisheries Management, DNR Wisconsin.

The summary by Mr. Thomas Sommerfeldt DNR stated that overall the catch of fish was rather low, attributed to the cold spring weather and below normal water temperature that have been prevalent so far this year. It is hard to say if we got a representative sample of bass size, as it seemed that many of the larger fish seemed to be holding on the deep edge of what the shocker boat could effectively sample. The majority of the bass sampled were in the 9” to 12” size, but they also collected a fair number of 14” to 17” size.

He also thinks the 14” to 18” protected slot is still just what the lake needs. There is an abundance of bass in the 9” to 13” size and the regulation is designed to encourage harvest of these fish and try to keep their abundance in check. Once the fish reach about 14” their foraging capabilities change and growth rates tend to improve and the fish seem to be in better condition. But it is only 4 years after the regulation has been in effect and that has not even covered a generation of bass yet.  Plus, we have the compounding factor of very low water levels so it will be really hard to draw any hard and fast conclusion from what has happened with the fishery in the last few years.

Fishing Results: 

9  Northern Pike, 10.3”– 27.0”    Catch/Effort   12.7 per hour.

36 Largemouth Bass,  8.0” – 17.4”  Catch/Effort  51 per hour.

74 Bluegill,  2.9”– 9.1”    Catch/Effort   740 per hour.

9  Pumpkinseed,  3.9”– 7.5”    Catch/Effort   90 per hour.

4 Black Crappie, 7.0”– 9.3”    Catch/Effort   40 per hour.

4 Yellow Perch, 5.4”– 8.1”    Catch/Effort   40 per hour.

2 Rock Bass, 8.3”– 9.3”    Catch/Effort   20 per hour.

There were no walleye, musky, smallmouth bass, white sucker.  Also found were golden shiner. Many bluegills were full of black spot.