Red Lake Fishery

Scott ToshnerSenior Fisheries Biologist

Inland Waters of Douglas and Bayfield Counties

Wisconsin lakes and streams are held in trust for all citizens as “common highways and forever free.”

Article IX, Section 1, Wisconsin Constitution

Summary

• Management History

• Recent Fishery Data

• Future Management

• Riparian Management and its Relation to the Fishery

Red Lake Stocking HistoryYear Species Number Size Year Species Number Size1933 Black Bass 1,050 NA 1970 Walleye 5,200 Fingerling

Walleye 147,668 NA 1971 Walleye 5,200 Fingerling1934 Walleye 376,470 1972 Walleye 10,800 Fingerling1936 Walleye 846,720 1974 Walleye 12,012 Fingerling1942 Walleye 350,000 Fry 1976 Walleye 12,612 Fingerling

Walleye 2,000 Fingerling 1979 Walleye 12,648 Fingerling1943 Walleye 800,000 Fry 1983 Walleye 12,721 Fingerling

Walleye 2,225 Fingerling 1985 Walleye 12,968 FingerlingLargemouth Bass 2,000 Fingerling 1988 Walleye 12,980 Fingerling

1944 Walleye 640,000 Fry 1989 Walleye 2,580 FingerlingWalleye 2,000 Fingerling Walleye 2,475 Large Fingerling

Largemouth Bass 1,000 Fingerling 1991 Walleye 6,245 Fingerling1945 Walleye 400,000 Fry Walleye 1,000 Large Fingerling

Walleye 3,510 Fingerling 1992 Walleye 2,580 Large FingerlingLargemouth Bass 2,140 Fingerling 1994 Walleye 6,477 Fingerling

1946 Walleye 350,000 Fry 1996 Walleye 5,800 FingerlingWalleye 2,920 Fingerling 1998 Walleye 6,450 Fingerling

Largemouth Bass 645 Fingerling 2000 Walleye 12,900 Fingerling1947 Walleye 530,000 Fry 2002 Walleye 12,900 Fingerling

Walleye 2,600 Fingerling 2004 Walleye 12,965 Fingerling1948 Walleye 540,000 Fry 2006 Walleye 9,245 Fingerling

Walleye 4,740 Fingerling1949 Walleye 1,680 Fingerling1950 Walleye 9,225 Fingerling1951 Walleye 2,600 Fingerling1952 Walleye 8,410 Fingerling1953 Walleye 5,200 Fingerling1954 Walleye 7,960 Fingerling1955 Walleye 1,280 Fingerling1956 Walleye 5,200 Fingerling1957 Walleye 5,200 Fingerling1958 Walleye 1,733 Fingerling1963 Walleye 10,400 Large Fingerling

Walleye 15,600 Fingerling1966 Walleye 26,000 Fingerling1968 Walleye 4,000 Fingerling1969 Walleye 5,200 Fingerling

Walleye 3,042 Large Fingerling

Historical Fisheries Information• Original Lake survey completed in 1936. Surrounding

shore consisted of mostly cutover hardwoods. Abundant and varied aquatic vegetation, duck food abundant. Fish present; walleye, northern pike, bass, perch and panfish. Fish stocked walleye and bass. Fish common before stocking; bass, northern pike, perch and bullheads. Recommended continued stocking of walleye and bass. Total of 8 cottages on lake.

• 1962 fishery survey – purpose to determine management of fishery on lake. Electrofished on July 25, 1962. Found northern pike and walleye to be principle gamefish. A limited population of largemouth and smallmouth bass present. Of the 4 gamefish species surveyed largemouth bass were only one with above average growth rates. Four species of panfish surveyed only rock bass had higher than average growth.

• 1966 fishery survey – purpose to evaluate walleye stocking done in 1963. Electrofishing was conducted on May 11, 1965. Fewer walleye found in 1965 (n=28) versus 1962 (n=35). However, felt that stocked walleye showed up fairly well and growth rates were good. Bluegill growth rates were slow. Largemouth bass showed a large increase compared to 1962 (possibly survey timing). Found that stocking of largemouth bass was not necessary which was against public requests at the time.

• 1973 Lake inventory. Done at around this time for almost all area lakes. Northern pike and largemouth bass were “common” and walleye and smallmouth bass were “present”. 40 cottages on lake shore.

Historical Fisheries Information

• 1978 survey completed by DNR research unit and results were never reported.

• 1981 survey in response to complaints from anglers about poor fishing. Found that bluegills were overabundant and that walleye stocking was providing a fishable population that would hopefully help to control bluegill population.

• 1994 treaty fishery assessment. Walleye population moderate at best. Recommended continuation of walleye stocking to help control bluegill population. Adult walleye population estimate = 0.5/acre. Tribal harvest for Red Lake;

1989 n=6 walleye

1990 n=18 walleye

Historical Fisheries Information

• 2005 baseline lake survey. Fall electrofishing survey found the following;Northern pike, n=21, 19” average

Largemouth Bass, n=37, 11” average

Walleye, n=6, 16” average

Bluegill, n=525, 3.2” average

Pumpkinseed, n=46, 5.2” average

Yellow perch, n= 25, 3” average

Black crappie

Rock bass

Yellow bullhead

Spottail shiner

Golden shiner

Bluntnose minnow

Johnny darter

Historical Fisheries Information

Walleye Recruitment SurveysYear YOY/mile

• 2005 0• 2004 1/0 *stocked with 12,965 walleye• 2002 3 *stocked with 12,900 walleye• 2001 0• 2000 22 *stocked with 12,900 walleye• 1999 0• 1994 5 *stocked with 6,477 walleye• 1990 0

Summary• Long stocking history

• Historic indication of low density of predator species

• Historic indication of increase in panfish abundance

• Walleye stocking research is ongoing

• Walleye extended growth stocking is a possibility

• Natural reproduction of walleye is sporadic

What’s Next?

• Walleye population estimate survey scheduled in 2010. Use results to further evaluate small fingerling walleye stocking. Compare data to historic surveys and produce report.

• Listen to your feedback.• Attempt to make decisions based on

biological information and public desire…..not always easy!

Red Lake ManagementPleasures• Generally good condition• Wild shorelines• Good fish habitat• Clear water

Concerns• Impervious surfaces• Suburban lawns• Fertilizer use• Tree removal

Better Shoreline Stewardship:

Leave the logs in the lake

Maintain or restore shoreline vegetation

Maintain native beds of aquatic plants Source: Greg Sass – Steve Carpenter – Jeff Bode

Landscape for water quality & natural beauty

Reasonable pier and boat use

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Lake Mendota, Wisconsin

Source: John Magnuson

Weekly Palmer Drought

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