Lake Information for Heidecke Lake

Largemouth Bass - Due to poor natural reproduction and recruitment, an aggressive annual stocking program for largemouth bass was initiated in 1986. Intensive sampling did not indicate a favorable response to these stockings and the program was terminated. The results from the fall 2006 survey were somewhat disappointing as the number of largemouth bass collected declined by nearly 35% from the previous survey (2005). On the bright side, a high percentage of these fish were young bass which, with good recruitment, should equate to good angling opportunities for this species in the next few years. Should the aquatic plant community expand as water clarity increases, an increase in the largemouth bass population is anticipated.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent natural reproduction and recruitment results in a self-sustaining population which produces large numbers of sub-legal size fish. Smallmouth were nearly three times as common in the fall 2006 survey as largemouth bass, with an average length of nearly 12 inches. The density of legal size bass remains good, with trophy potential also present.

Channel Catfish - This species provides the bulk of the action for most anglers and catches of channel catfish up to and exceeding ten pounds are not uncommon. The channel catfish population at Heidecke is comprised of larger average-size fish with the opportunity to catch a trophy fish a reality. Channel catfish ranked second in terms of totals pounds harvested by anglers based on the 2006 creel survey.

Striped and Hybrid Striped Bass - Rapid growth rates resulting in large size fish and overall tenacity as fighters have made Astripers@ extremely popular with fishermen. While the density of large fish has declined slightly in recent years, catches of 10 to 15 pound-plus fish are not uncommon. Hybrid stripers collected in the fall 2006 survey averaged 17.0 inches and ranged up to nearly 29 inches. Annual stockings of hybrid striped bass (and less-frequent additions of pure striped bass) maintain what has become a trophy fishery. Included in the daily aggregate creel limit of 10 fish are white bass, which in the 2006 survey averaged 12.2 inches and weighed 0.9 pound. Yellow bass, which are also present in good numbers, are not included in the aggregate striper limit.

Walleye - No longer a primary source of walleye broodstock, harvest regulations were relaxed for Heidecke Lake walleye in 1997. This fish provides the bulk of the late spring action for boat and bank anglers alike. Exhibiting excellent growth rates, walleye fingerlings are stocked on an annual basis and provide a fishery which can produce fish close to the ten-pound mark. Collected at all-time high rates in the 2006 survey, walleyes averaged 16 inches and ranged up to 24 inches. An angler favorite, walleye were the most common fish caught based on the results of the 2006 angler creel survey.

Muskellunge - Both hybrid (tiger) muskie and pure muskellunge have been stocked into Heidecke Lake, with the last addition of tigers occurring in 1997. Stocked from 1980-87, pure muskies were stocked once again in 1999 and are now released on a biennial rotation (11-inch fingerlings @ 1/acre). The 2007 spring trap net survey yielded excellent results as the collection of pure muskies increased to more than 1.5 fish per net night of effort. Males accounted for 72.6% of the collection, which lowers the overall average size fish collected in this survey to 35 inches. Several large females were collected which exceeded 44 inches, the largest measuring nearly 47 inches. An up-and-coming fishery which has trophy potential.