Fish

Update from Kyle Broadway, DNR Fisheries Biologist, March 2025

Northern Pike

Bear Lake has a high density, low size structure northern pike population. Catch rates have declined since 2014, which corresponded with an increase in population size structure, which was the highest observed in Bear Lake. Despite this, growth rates and fish conditions are both poor and declined since 2014, which suggests population density remains too high. Regulatory options that increase the harvest of small northern pike while protecting large individuals has the potential to improve population size structure. For instance, a protected slot limit (PSL) of 25 – 35 inches with a 5 or 10 fish daily bag limit is one regulatory option that could potentially increase harvest of small northern pike. The 2014 creel survey indicated anglers are willing to harvest small northern pike, with the average length of fish harvested being 21.8 inches during the open water season and 23.7 inches during the ice fishing season. A 25 – 35-inch PSL regulation would decrease the percentage of the population susceptible to harvest by only 3% compared to the no minimum length limit (MLL) regulation but protect the upper end of the size structure. This PSL regulation option would continue to allow for high harvest opportunities but also promote greater size structure in Bear Lake. Anglers are encouraged to increase harvest of small northern pike which should continue to improve size structure with time.

Walleye

The adult walleye population density estimate in Bear Lake during 2022 was 0.6 fish/acre (95% CI = 0.2 – 1.1 fish/acre). Adult walleye density in Bear Lake was low and similar to the last two decades and well below management recommendations for stocked walleye populations (> 1.5 fish/acre; Donofrio et al. 2022). Recruitment of stocked large fingerlings to the adult population was relatively poor, with unsatisfactory survival of all stocked year classes. The walleye management goal in Bear Lake is to increase the adult walleye density to ≥ 1.5 fish/acre to provide a quality angling opportunity and meet management recommendations set forth by Donofrio et al. (2022) for stocked populations. Future large fingerling walleye stocking should be reduced to 5 - 10 fish/acre during alternate years. Due to limited DNR hatchery production and budget limitations the 2024 walleye stocking in Bear Lake was deferred.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Kyle Broadway, DNR Fisheries Biologist, kyle.broadway@wisconsin.gov