Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLACK CRAPPIE

Good

Black Crappie ranging in length from 9-11 inches were collected in fall-set trap nets. Anglers should expect to find good angling opportunities for Black Crappie in Lost Lake.

BLUEGILL

Very Good

A total of 28 Bluegill (280/hour) were collected during spring electrofishing. Lost Lake contains an abundance of Bluegill in the 7”-7.9” range. However, no Bluegill exceeded 8 inches in length. Mean relative weight (plumpness) of all Bluegill was 86, below the goal of 90. Mean relative weights declined after Bluegill reached 7 inches in length, indicating the size at which growth begins to stunt. In summary, Lost Lake appears to be on the cusp of growing numbers of 8-inch Bluegill, which are often sought by panfish anglers. Unlike many other lakes within Pyramid, Lost Lake does not appear to have Gizzard Shad, meaning that Bluegill growth potential should be relatively high. Bluegill growth may increase if herbicide treatments are performed to reduce the density of aquatic plants in the lake, which would make it easier for bass to thin the Bluegill population. If adequate herbicide can be obtained, treatments will begin during 2023.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Developing

Given the small size of Lost Lake, it is unlikely that Channel Catfish recruit naturally. Therefore, Channel Catfish have been stocked annually since 2020. Seven Channel Catfish were collected in fall-set experimental gill nets. Catfish ranged in size from 12-18 inches. Abundance and size structure should continue to improve as older age classes become established.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Average

The Largemouth Bass population in Lost Lake contains an abundance of small fish under 12 inches and relatively few large fish. A total of 17 bass were collected during the electrofishing survey (170/hour), of which 18% were over 15 inches. The mean relative weight of all bass in the sample was poor at 84 and did not exceed the goal of 90 among any size classes. However, the primary management goal in Lost Lake is to create a quality fishery for Bluegill and Redear with ample numbers of fish ≥8 inches. Therefore, improving bass size structure is not a management concern.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Good

A total of 10 Redear (100/hour) were collected during spring electrofishing, some of which were over 8 inches. However, none exceeded 9 inches in length. Lost Lake appears to be on the cusp of being a great panfish lake, as unlike many other lakes within Pyramid, it does not appear to harbor Gizzard Shad. Therefore, growth potential of panfish species should be relatively high in theory. Redear growth may increase if herbicide treatments are performed to reduce the density of aquatic plants in the lake, which would make easier for bass to thin the population. If adequate herbicide can be obtained, treatments will begin during 2023.