Cherokee Lake - Electrofishing 2010
Sampling date: April 15 - 16, 2010
Species collected in survey (15 runs, 3.8 hrs total effort):
Largemouth Bass = 297
Smallmouth Bass = 33
Spotted Bass = 35
Black Crappie = 17
Blacknose Black Crappie = 2
Walleye = 6
The largemouth bass size-structure has continued to improved since the 15-inch size limit went into effect. Thirty-four percent of the 2010 sample were over 15-inches and 5% were 18-inches or better. Ten years ago most of the lake's largemouth were in the 12 to 15-inch range and very few were over 17-inches. Anglers should be pleased with the current quality of the fishery.
A below average number of crappie were collected by electrofishing, while an above average number of smallmouth were observed. The deviation in catch rates are likely a reflection of the abnormal surface water temperatures during the time of sampling.
Only six walleye were collected, but our historical winter gill netting samples have demonstrated they are relatively abundant in the reservoir. Cherokee was stocked with 79,400 walleye in 2009 and approximately 930,500 have been stocked since 1999.
A Cherokee Reservoir paddlefish collected in 2006
Largemouth bass length frequency
Largemouth bass catch rates
Smallmouth bass length frequency
Spotted bass length frequency
