Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Average

Bluegill body condition remained stable in 2023 while electrofishing catch rates increased and remained high at 208 per hour. Approximately half of the adult bluegill in the sample were between 6” – 8” long and only two bluegill over 8” were collected. The percentage of adult bluegill over 7” in length declined from 21% in 2022 to 14% in 2023. Unfortunately, the bluegill population size structure in this lake will likely always be hindered by the presence of gizzard shad. Bluegill fishing in the coming year should be fair to good with the biggest fish near 0.33 pounds.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

The channel catfish population is in good shape and their body condition is good. Approximately 80% of the adult channel catfish collected were 16” or longer and 70% exceeded 18” in length. Channel catfish should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Channel catfish in the 1 – 4 pound range should be common, with some fish nearing 8 – 10 pounds.

CRAPPIE

Average

Both black and white crappie are abundant in the lake and the size structures for both of these populations are poor. Approximately, 43% of the adult white crappie in this year’s sample exceeded 10” in length and no fish in the 9”-10” size range were collected. However, only 7 white crappie were collected in the electrofishing sample, likely due to the abnormally warm water temperatures during the survey. No black crappie over 9” were collected for the second year in a row and none over 10” have been collected in four years. Average body condition for both species of crappie was just over the lake the management plan minimum target. Crappie fishing should be good in the coming year for catching abundant fish, but the size structure of fish caught will likely be poor. Most crappie in 2024 are expected to be between 6” – 9”, with a few fish possibly exceeding 10” and weighing more than 0.5 pounds. Harvest of smaller crappie is encouraged.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Average

A small population of flathead catfish exists in Borah Lake and one was collected in 2023. This flathead catfish was 12.7 pounds and just over 30” long.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Fair

The size structure of the largemouth bass population was fair. Average body condition declined slightly to just below the lake management plan target, however electrofishing catch rates increased and remained high. The percentage of larger fish in the sample remained consistent with the 2022 sample Approximately 10% of the adult fish in the sample exceeded the 14” minimum length limit and 4% were 18” or longer. A large group of 7” – 12” bass were again sampled this year and they should contribute to angler catches in the coming years. Average body condition remained much higher for fish greater than 15” than for smaller fish and is likely due to the gizzard shad forage base in this lake. Gizzard shad collected in the 2023 sampled ranged from 4” to 15” and approximately 75% of those shad were in the 8” – 10” size range. These larger shad are too long for most of the bass in the lake to eat. Bass fishing should be fair to good in 2024 with most bass over the minimum length limit ranging from 14” – 18” in length and weighing 1 – 3 pounds.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Very Good

The redear sunfish population in Borah Lake is doing very well. Average body condition was really good and catch rates increased. Approximately 37% of the adult redear collected were over 9” long and 19% exceeded 10” in length. The redear sunfish population should provide quality opportunities for fishing in the coming year with some larger fish near 1 pound.