WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CREEL …dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/north/VilasEagleScatteringRiceVoyageur1314...Mar 02, 2014 · WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CREEL SURVEY REPORT

Eagle, Scattering Rice, Voyageur Lakes (Eagle River Chain)

VILAS COUNTY

2013-14

Treaty Fisheries Publication

Compiled by Jason Halverson & Jeff Blonski

Treaty Fisheries Technicians

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 combined .............................................................................. 6 Table 3. Creel survey synopsis Eagle Lake ............................................................................ 7 Table 4. Creel survey synopsis Scattering Rice Lake ............................................................ 8 Table 5. Creel survey synopsis Voyageur Lake ..................................................................... 9 SPECIES CATCH AND HARVEST INFORMATION COMBINED 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

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. 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

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Also included are a physical description of Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lakes; discussion of results of the survey; and detailed summaries, by species of fishing effort, catch and harvest. GENERAL LAKE INFORMATION

Location Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lakes are part of the Eagle River Chain of Lakes, located in Vilas County near the Town of Eagle River. Physical Characteristics Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lakes are located in the center of the chain with a combined area of 981 acres and accounts for 28% of the total chain acreage. Littoral substrate consists primarily of sand, with lesser amounts of muck, and gravel. These lakes are soft water lakes with slightly acidic, slightly stained waters. Seasons Surveyed The period referred to in this report as the 2013-14 fishing season ran from May 4, 2013 through March 2, 2014. The open water creel survey ran from May 4 through October 31, 2013 and the ice fishing creel survey ran from December 1, 2013 through March 2, 2014. Weather Ice-out on Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lakes was around May 6, 2013. Fishable-ice formed on these lakes in late November.

Fishing Regulations The following seasons, daily bag limits, and length limits were in place on Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lakes during the 2013-14 fishing season:

Species SeasonBag

Limit Min. SizeLargemouth Bass& 5/4-6/14 Catch & ReleaseSmallmouth Bass 6/15-3/2 1 14"Musky 5/25-11/30 1 40"Northern Pike 5/4-3/2 5 noneWalleye 5/4-3/2 3* No Minimum, 14"-18" Protected Slot, 1>18"

Panfish year round 25 noneRock Bass year round none none

Chain Wide Daily Bag Limit of 3

*Due to tribal harvest declarations, walleye bag limits were initially set at 2 on each of these lakes, and then revised to 3 on May 25th.

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 2 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 specifically targeting that species is reported.

Eagle, Scattering Rice, and

Voyageur Lakes (Eagle River

Chain)

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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 third time the department has conducted a creel survey on Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lakes in the last 20 years. Voyageur Lake had only a summer creel survey due to lack of ice and winter fishing pressure. The last creel survey took place in 2000-01. General Angler Information Anglers spent 39,826 hours or 40.6 hours per acre fishing on Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake during the 2013-14 season (Table 1). That was more than the Vilas County average of 35.2 hours per acre. June was the most heavily fished month (9.7 hours per acre). Fishing effort was lightest in February (0.1 hours per acre) for those months when the entire month was creeled. Deep snow and slush on the lakes made winter access difficult for anglers. Overall winter fishing effort may have been negatively impacted by the unusually cold

weather of the 2013-14 winter. RESULTS BY SPECIES Walleye (Table 2, Figure 1) Anglers spent 9,386 hours targeting walleyes. The greatest fishing effort for walleyes was in May (3,173 hours). February had the least amount of walleye fishing effort (52 hours). Total catch of walleyes was 2,466 fish with a harvest of 827 fish. Highest catch (831 fish) and harvest (256 fish) occurred in May. Anglers fished 4.0 hours to catch and 11.6 hours to harvest a walleye during 2013-14. The mean length of harvested walleyes was 12.7 inches and the largest walleye measured was a 25.1inch fish caught on Scattering Rice Lake. Northern Pike (Table 2, Figure 2) Fishing effort directed at northern pike was 1,543 hours during the 2013-14 season. Northern pike fishing effort was greatest in May (370 hours). Total catch of northern pike was 1,283 fish with a harvest of 102 fish. The mean length of harvested northern pike was 21.9 inches and the largest northern pike measured was a 25.9 inch fish caught on Scattering Rice Lake. Muskellunge (Table 2, Figure 3) Muskellunge received the most fishing effort during the 2013-14 season. This is due to number of major musky tournaments throughout the musky season that are conducted on the chain. Anglers spent 22,469 hours targeting muskellunge during the 2013-14 season. Muskellunge fishing effort was greatest in June (6,776 hours). Total catch of muskellunge was 947 fish. Highest catch (374 fish) occurred in June. Anglers fished 23.9 hours to catch a muskellunge during 2013-14. Smallmouth Bass (Table 2, Figure 4) Fishing effort targeted at smallmouth bass was 1,454 hours during the 2013-14

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season. Smallmouth bass fishing effort was greatest in July (647 hours). Total catch of smallmouth bass was 269 fish with no documented fish harvested. Highest catch (94 fish) occurred in May. Anglers fished 5.4 hours to catch a smallmouth bass during 2013-14. Largemouth Bass (Table 2, Figure 5) Fishing effort directed at largemouth bass was 1,922 hours during the 2013-14 season. Largemouth bass fishing effort was greatest in July (733 hours). Total catch of largemouth bass was 952 fish with a harvest of 220 fish. Highest catch (220 fish) occurred in July. Anglers fished 3.9 hours to catch a largemouth bass during 2013-14. 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 7,677 hours. Anglers caught 8,339 black crappies and harvested 4,600 fish. The mean length of black crappies harvested was 9.5 inches and largest was 14.1 inches caught on Eagle Lake. Yellow perch were the second most sought after panfish species during the survey. Fishing effort directed at yellow perch was 5,297 hours. Total catch of yellow perch was 5,959 fish with 1,736 harvested. The mean length of yellow perch harvested was 7.5 inches. Bluegills were the third most sought after panfish species during the survey. Fishing effort directed at bluegills was 3,381 hours. Total catch of bluegills was 3,410 fish with 1,077 harvested. The mean length of bluegills harvested was 6.7 inches. Pumpkinseeds and rock bass were also caught during the 2013-14 season.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Completion of this survey was possible because of the efforts of the following Fisheries Management and Treaty Fisheries staff: Jonathan Pyatskowit, Jeff Blonski, Joelle Underwood, Marty Kiepke, Jason Halverson, Tim Tobias, Steve Gilbert, Dennis Scholl, and Madison fisheries staff including Joe Hennessy, Tom Cichosz, Jon Hansen, and Heidi Nelson. Tom Lima, Lynn Robinson, John Logan, Dean Johnson, Mike Rynski, Rich Cechal, John Davis, and Marty Kiepke were the creel clerks on the Eagle River 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 all of the cooperators: Gail Ely, Bill Landwehr, Vern & Diane Kramer, James (Yukon Jack) & Joyce Mecikalski, Vince Wagner, Richard Matkin, Bill & Sandy Jacobs, Gerda & Dean Safer of Gypsy Villa Resort, Chris Hartman of Wild Eagle Lodge, Shari Buller & Joe Panci of Trees For Tomorrow, Boat Sport Marina, and Twelve Pines Resort, who generously allowed the Department to keep a boat and snowmobile on their property during this survey. This creel report was reviewed by Dennis Scholl and Steve Gilbert 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/topic/Fishing/north/trtycrlsrvys.html

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Table 1. Sportfishing effort summary, the Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), 2013-14 season

MonthTotal Angler

HoursTotal Angler Hours/Acre

Vilas County Average

Hours/AcreCeded Territory

Average Hours/AcreMay 6864 7.0 5.4 5.1June 9563 9.7 7.0 6.4July 7484 7.6 7.5 6.9August 9165 9.3 6.6 5.4September 4133 4.2 4.3 3.3October 1937 2.0 2.0 1.5December 273 0.3 0.6 1.1January 277 0.3 0.8 1.6February 118 0.1 0.9 1.5March 12 0.0 0.1 0.2*Summer Total 39146 39.9 32.8 28.6*Winter Total 680 0.7 2.4 4.4Grand Total 39826 40.6 35.2 33.0

*"Summer" is May-October; "Winter" is December-March

Ceded Territory Average Hours/Acre is the average angler effort in hours per acre for inland lakes in the ceded territory hat have been surveyed since 1990. This value can be used to compare Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake)to other lakes statewide.

Total Angler Hours is the estimated total number of hours that anglers spent fishing on the Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake) 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 Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake) 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, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), 2013-14 and 2000-01 fishing seasons.

CREEL YEAR: 2013-14

SPECIES

DIRECTEDEFFORT(Hours)

PERCENTOF TOTAL

TOTALCATCH

SPECIFICCATCHRATE

(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL

HARVEST

SPECIFICHARVEST

RATE(Hrs/Fish) **

MEANLENGTH OFHARVESTED

FISHWalleye 9386 17.37% 2466 4.0 827 11.6 12.7Northern Pike 1543 2.86% 1283 7.1 102 69.5 21.9Muskellunge 22469 41.57% 947 23.9 0Smallmouth Bass 1454 2.69% 269 5.4 0Largemouth Bass 1922 3.56% 952 3.9 220 8.7Yellow Perch 5297 9.80% 5959 2.2 1736 5.4 7.5Bluegill 3381 6.26% 3410 1.3 1077 4.4 6.7Pumpkinseed 457 0.85% 127 5.4 86 10.5 6.3Rock Bass 459 0.85% 493 5.0 169 6.2 5.1Black Crappie 7677 14.20% 8339 0.9 4600 1.7 9.5

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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: 2000-01

SPECIES


PERCENTOF TOTAL

TOTALCATCH

SPECIFICCATCHRATE

(Hrs/Fish)TOTAL

HARVEST

SPECIFICHARVEST

RATE(Hrs/Fish)


FISHWalleye 6801 22.32% 2140 3.2 646 10.5 12.9Northern Pike 903 2.96% 697 1.3 169 5.3 23.9Muskellunge 12353 40.53% 835 14.8 41 301.3 34.3Smallmouth Bass 939 3.08% 312 3.0 0 0.0Largemouth Bass 430 1.41% 0 0.0 0 0.0Yellow Perch 4137 13.57% 5469 0.8 1120 3.7 8.3Bluegill 2106 6.91% 274 7.7 0 0.0Pumpkinseed 127 0.42% 122 1.0 0 0.0Rock Bass 203 0.67% 156 1.3 73 2.8Black Crappie 2477 8.13% 205 12.1 116 21.4 12.1

Table 3. Comparison of creel survey synopses, Eagle Lake, 2013-14 and 2000-01 fishing seasons.

CREEL YEAR: 2013-14

SPECIES


PERCENTOF TOTAL

TOTALCATCH

SPECIFICCATCHRATE

(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL

HARVEST

SPECIFICHARVEST

RATE(Hrs/Fish) **


FISHWalleye 5094 19.78% 1859 2.7 650 7.8 12Northern Pike 662 2.57% 441 10.7 12 138.9 22Muskellunge 12599 48.91% 571 22.9 0Smallmouth Bass 790 3.07% 128 0Largemouth Bass 749 2.91% 359 2.9 220 3.4Yellow Perch 2239 8.69% 2049 1.7 730 5.2 8Bluegill 1538 5.97% 1422 1.1 566 3.2 7Pumpkinseed 83 0.32% 70 2.0 29 7Rock Bass 124 0.48% 108 3.0 41 3.0Black Crappie 1881 7.30% 1788 1.1 1060 1.8 10

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CREEL YEAR: 2000-01

SPECIES


PERCENTOF TOTAL

TOTALCATCH

SPECIFICCATCHRATE

(Hrs/Fish)TOTAL

HARVEST

SPECIFICHARVEST

RATE(Hrs/Fish)


FISHWalleye 4129 22.61% 1166 3.7 249 17.1 12.6Northern Pike 790 4.33% 547 4.4 148 16.7 21.5Muskellunge 7274 39.83% 492 16.2 0Smallmouth Bass 696 3.81% 117 21.6 0Largemouth Bass 424 2.32% 0 0Yellow Perch 2695 14.76% 3472 1.0 551 7.6 8.3Bluegill 1155 6.32% 100 0Pumpkinseed 57 0.31% 52 5.0 0Rock Bass 57 0.31% 75 5.0 0Black Crappie 987 5.40% 94 11.5 40 24.5

Table 4. Comparison of creel survey synopses, Scattering Rice Lake, 2013-14 and 2000-01 fishing seasons.

CREEL YEAR: 2013-14

SPECIES


PERCENTOF TOTAL

TOTALCATCH

SPECIFICCATCHRATE

(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL

HARVEST

SPECIFICHARVEST

RATE(Hrs/Fish) **


FISHWalleye 2881 15.10% 429 7.9 177 17.8 14.1Northern Pike 572 3.00% 278 22.1 17 32.9 22.7Muskellunge 6012 31.50% 341 19.0 0Smallmouth Bass 664 3.48% 62 25.6 0Largemouth Bass 1173 6.15% 438 5.1 0Yellow Perch 2300 12.05% 1682 2.8 581 8.4 7.8Bluegill 1326 6.95% 881 3.3 190 9.0 6.5Pumpkinseed 374 1.96% 57 8.6 57 8.6 6.2Rock Bass 335 1.76% 238 6.7 55 10.3 7.2Black Crappie 3446 18.06% 3960 0.9 1769 1.9 9.7

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CREEL YEAR: 2000-01

SPECIES


PERCENTOF TOTAL

TOTALCATCH

SPECIFICCATCHRATE

(Hrs/Fish)TOTAL

HARVEST

SPECIFICHARVEST

RATE(Hrs/Fish)


FISHWalleye 2672 21.88% 974 2.8 397 6.7 13.2Northern Pike 113 0.93% 150 21 26.3Muskellunge 5079 41.59% 343 17.4 41 123.5 34.3Smallmouth Bass 243 1.99% 195 10.6 0Largemouth Bass 6 0.05% 0 0Yellow Perch 1442 11.81% 1997 2.8 569 8.2 8.2Bluegill 951 7.79% 174 5.5 0Pumpkinseed 70 0.57% 70 1.0 0Rock Bass 146 1.20% 81 2.0 73 2.0Black Crappie 1490 12.20% 111 25.0 76 35.3 12.1

Table 5. Comparison of creel survey synopses, Voyageur Lake, 2013-14.

CREEL YEAR: 2013-14***

SPECIES


PERCENTOF TOTAL

TOTALCATCH

SPECIFICCATCHRATE

(Hrs/Fish) *TOTAL

HARVEST

SPECIFICHARVEST

RATE(Hrs/Fish) **


FISHWalleye 1411 15.33% 178 9.9 0Northern Pike 309 3.36% 564 2.4 73 21.7Muskellunge 3858 41.92% 35 0Smallmouth Bass 0 0.00% 79 0Largemouth Bass 0 0.00% 155 0Yellow Perch 758 8.24% 2228 0.5 425 2.7 6.9Bluegill 517 5.62% 1107 0.6 321 3.7 6.9Pumpkinseed 0 0.00% 0 0Rock Bass 0 0.00% 147 73 6.4Black Crappie 2350 25.54% 2591 0.9 1771 1.3 9.1

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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.***Voyageur Lake was only creeled for the summer months May-October.

Figure 1. Walleye sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

10

4.3

7.4 5.4

3.1

14.7

0.6

14.2

0.0 0.0 0.0

12.8

20.3

14.2

7.5

0.0 2.0

22.0

0.0 0.0 0.0 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

831

181

372

483

41

541

17 0 0 0

256

66 141

202

0

151

11 0 0 0 0

100200300400500600700800900


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH

PROJECTED CATCH AND HARVEST

CATCH HARVEST

5 7

16 14

30

1 1 1 1 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

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

12.6 13.4 13.5

11.7 12.7 12.1

20.0 18.9

13.9

25.1

13.9 13.0

79

111315171921232527


INC

HES

MONTH

AVERAGE AND LARGEST LENGTH OF FISH HARVESTED

AVERAGE LARGEST

3173

1338

2014

1454

598 305 237 215

52 0 0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH

PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT

WALLEYE

Figure 2. Northern pike sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

11

3.3 2.9

0.0

23.6

0.0 0.0

11.9

0.0 0.0 0.0

21.2

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

11.9

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

388

683

114 34 47

8 9 0 0 0 90

7 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0

100200300400500600700800


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

1

3

1 1

0

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

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


21.8 22.1

25.9

22.5

10121416182022242628


INC

HES

MONTH


AVERAGE LARGEST

370

266 259

199

28

118

57

194

52

0 0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH

PROJECTED FISHING EFFORT NORTHERN PIKE

Figure 3. Muskellunge sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

12

14.4

144.3

644.8

166.8 105.4

59.9 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

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

85

374

263

166

42 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

050

100150200250300350400

MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.N

UM

BER

OF

FISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

465

6776

4000

6604

3106

1518

0 0 0 0 0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


MUSKELLUNGE

Figure 4. Smallmouth bass sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

13

26.5

0.0 0.0

28.4

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 0.0 0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

94

0

55 49

71

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

20

40

60

80

100


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

461

40

647

241

65 0 0 0 0 0

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


SMALLMOUTH BASS

Figure 5. Largemouth bass sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

14

14.3

11.3

3.3

10.1

0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

3.3

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.02.04.06.08.0

10.012.014.016.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

374

161

733

589

65 0 0 0 0 0

0100200300400500600700800


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


LARGEMOUTH BASS

54

144

220 175

359

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

220

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

50100150200250300350400

MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR.N

UM

BER

OF

FISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

Figure 6. Yellow perch sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

15

1.1 5.0 2.7 5.1 3.0

0.0 2.7

0.0 0.0 0.0 3.6 3.5

6.8

50.7

4.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

2582 2375

608

257 103 0 34 0 0 0

692 737

197 36 74 0 0 0 0 0

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

9

27

21

1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

INCHES


7.5 7.6 7.3

8.5 8.4

9.0 8.6

8.3 8.5

8.7

566778899

10


INC

HES

MONTH


AVERAGE LARGEST

1507

982

1339

1045

283

48 93 0 0 0

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


YELLOW PERCH

Figure 7. Bluegill sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

16

16.3

0.6 1.7 2.0

6.2

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

16.3

2.9

5.4 3.7

6.2

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.02.04.06.08.0

10.012.014.016.018.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

335

1865

761

392

57 0 0 0 0 0 213

336 240 231

57 0 0 0 0 0 0

200400600800

100012001400160018002000


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

3

7

9

0123456789

10

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

INCHES


6.9 7.2

5.9

7.0

7.7

7.2

6.3

7.1

5

6

6

7

7

8

8


INC

HES

MONTH


AVERAGE LARGEST

283

845

1284

691

200 44 34 0 0 0

0200400600800

100012001400


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


BLUEGILL

Figure 8. Pumpkinseed sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

17

8.6

0.0 0.0

2.0

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

8.6

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.0

10.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

72

14

0

41

0 0 0 0 0 0

72

14

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1020304050607080


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

3

2

0

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

INCHES


6.6

6.2

7.0

6.2

5

6

6

7

7

8


INC

HES

MONTH


AVERAGE LARGEST

374

0 0

83

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

50100150200250300350400


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


PUMPKINSEED

Figure 9. Rock bass sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

18

7.6

0.0

6.3

3.0

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

6.3

3.0

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

282

41

92

58

20 0 0 0 0 0

82

14 32 41

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

50

100

150

200

250

300


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

2

1

0

1

1

2

2

3

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

INCHES


5.7

7.2

6.7

7.2

5

6

6

7

7

8


INC

HES

MONTH


AVERAGE LARGEST

133

0

202

124

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

50

100

150

200

250


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


ROCK BASS

Figure 10. Black crappie sportfishing effort, catch, harvest, and length distribution, Eagle River Chain (Eagle, Scattering Rice, and Voyageur Lake), during 2013-14.

19

0.7 0.7

6.1

0.0

3.1

0.0

3.3

0.0 0.0 0.0

1.2 1.8

6.1

0.0

3.7

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0


HO

UR

S PE

R F

ISH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

5823

2150

240 0 102 0 24 0 0 0

3368

907 240 0 85 0 0 0 0 0

01000200030004000500060007000


NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

MONTH


CATCH HARVEST

6

25

58

24 17

3 1 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

NU

MB

ER O

F FI

SH

INCHES


9.4 9.7 9.0

10.1

14.1

11.5

9.8

11.2

56789

101112131415


INC

HES

MONTH


AVERAGE LARGEST

4041

1580 1463

154 314 12 79 34 0 0

0500

10001500200025003000350040004500


ANG

LIN

G H

OU

RS

MONTH


BLACK CRAPPIE

Documents

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CREEL …dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/north/VilasEagleScatteringRiceVoyageur1314...Mar 02, 2014 · WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL