June 2019 Fish Survey at White Lake

by Eric Elfner

Updated July 9, 2019 to include additional surveys received at the annual meeting.

In 2002, the White Lake Property Owners Association sponsored a fish study where Aquatic Biologists visited the lake.  They went to different areas of the lake, shocked the fish with electricity and counted and measured what they found.

June 2019 - Nice Large Mouth Bass caught
and released on White Lake

For the past few years, we have talked about whether the WLPOA or the White Lake Management District should sponsor another shock survey to see how things had changed.  The fish thought it was a terrible idea, and when we spoke to Aquatic Biologists again, they told us that because the sample was so limited, we would probably get as good an idea if we surveyed fisherpeople and other observers of the lake to see what they are seeing.

In early June 2019, we sent out a survey to all property owners asking everyone to tell us what they are seeing when they fish or spend time on White Lake.  As of July 9, we have received 43 responses.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond!

Here is a summary of what we found.  Our first question was how important fishing was to the property owners.  27.9% said fishing was 'Very Important' to them and another 51% said it was somewhat important.  We also asked how the respondents were observing the lake and over 58% were observing by 'Fishing' or 'Fishing and Something Else'.

When we asked what months people were fishing and how often, the most common responses were 'Most Weekends' and 'May-October', but we have some serious people who fish every day and all year round.

Then we started asking what people were trying to catch.  Bass, Bluegill and Perch topped the list, but people were trying for everything else too, except Catfish.  The one we had not asked about, but one person reported was 'Rock Bass'.

Next we asked what people were actually catching.  Bass and Bluegill were the clear leaders at 84.38% of people reporting they had caught Bass and 75% reporting Bluegill.  The interesting thing is that all the other species, even the non-targeted catfish, were represented so there is some good diversity in the lake.  Rock Bass and Pumpkinseed were the two we had not asked about that were reported.

The survey left a spot for additional comments and we asked people to report size ranges there.  Here are some of those responses.

• Large mouth bass are typically 10" - 15" 
• Observe frrom pier and boat caught Bass 12"-20" Have observed 36" Muskies, Rock Bass
• Bass in the 1lb range. Hand sized bluegill and small perch
• Bass -1-4 lb, perch small, 41" inch musky, 1-3 lb northern
• Rock Bass 12", Pumpkin Seed 8", Bluegill 11', Bass 15"
• Caught some very large bluegill, but 80% of them looked like they have a parasite.

The last comment probably deserves further investigation.  If you have noticed that as well, please let us know.

Here are the results from the 2002 study.  It seems to support the results of our new survey and indicates that things have not changed that much.  The main conclusion of that study was that bass were the apex predator of the lake and suggested we remove any limits on bass.  The idea being if that predator were not so prolific, perhaps other species, like Perch, would increase in number.  Someone on the current survey made the very same suggestion.

If you would like to see the entire 2002 Fish Study, you can find it here:  2002 White Lake Fish Study

The White Lake Management District asked us to ask the property owners whether they supported the WLMD using Lake District dollars for fish stocking.  The question was worded like this:  "For the past seven years, the White Lake Management District has allocated dollars to fish stocking of White Lake.  It works out to cost about $34/year per property.  Do you feel that this is something the WLMD should continue investing in?

34 people (82.93%) who responded said 'Yes', the other 6 (17.07%) said 'No'.  We will share this and other comments from the survey with the WLMD Board of Directors.  If you want to discuss this and other important WLMD business will be discussed at their annual meeting on August 3, 2019.  We also be discussed preliminary results of this survey at the WLPOA meeting and picnic on July 6th.