2021
Walleye Population Estimate Results
(Graph on the left indicates the history of adult walleye population estimates for Crane Lake in Forest County. )
•Survey conducted April 6-9 by Mike Preul (Mole Lake Fisheries Director) and lake volunteers, Gene Ebben and Brian King
•9 Fyke Nets were placed around the lake. Fish were collected measured, and fins were clipped.
•Adult population was estimated to be 2.75/acre, which means it has tripled (naturally) in the last 4 years! (Reproducing lakes average around 4/acre.)
•Adult walleyes were then stripped for eggs and sperm. The fertilized eggs were scattered on the reef to promote reproduction.
• In the process, 2,500 bullheads were removed from the lake and donated.
Fall Stocking
Crane and Pickerel are on the schedule for odd -numbered years, so they were stocked by the DNR this fall. Greg Matzke, (DNR Fish Biologist) reported that 3,410 large fingerling walleye were put in Crane Lake and 12,990 large fingerling walleye were put in Pickerel Lake.
2020
Fish Stocking
We will not be doing any stocking during the fall of 2020. Next anticipated stocking will be the fall of 2021.
Crane Lake Fall Survey
According to our fish biologist, Greg Matzke, we will be conducting another fall survey on Crane Lake to determine if we have natural reproduction without the aid of Mole Lake fertilization efforts. Last spring, Mike Preul and his crew, Gene Ebben, and I fertilized a number of female eggs, to determine if the newly established reef would indeed hatch eggs. During the fall of 2019, Greg was able to shock one walleye that was 5.7”, confirming the fact that the reef is functional. During the fall of 2020, we will be looking for walleyes that were hatched naturally on the reef, without our help in the fertilization process. Keep your fingers crossed, as it would be exciting to have natural walleye reproduction return to Pickerel and Crane Lakes.
2019 Summary
Fish shocking was conducted prior to the stocking of the fingerlings from Mole Lake.
- 12,916 Walleye fingerlings were planted into Pickerel
- 3,410 were planted into Crane
Water clarity was green and cloudy, but one small walleye, 5.7” long, was discovered. The reef works!!
Now we can only hope for natural reproduction during spring of 2020.
Spawning Reef Project Timeline
June 2018
DNR and volunteers take measurements on 12 different transect point 75 feet apart along the shoreline and out to a depth of 4.5 feet of water
August 2018
Bid notices sent out to contractors
September 2018
Flannery selected as rock supplier
October 2018
Site visit with Mike Preul and Flannery to discuss logistics of the project
November 2018
- Final plans approved by DNR
- Permit submitted and approved
January 2019
Government shutdown-everything on hold including grant money
Early February 2019
Government back in business-Volunteers and DNR stake out reef according to transect measurements taken back in June
Mid-February 2019
Recruited community volunteers and Flannery to remove snow with skid steers and keep reef free of slush and snow
Late February 2019
Send out notice to all volunteers and committee members 2 weeks before official start of project (projected to be the week of March 4th)
Early March 2019
Reef construction began on Monday, March 4 and was completed by Thursday, March 7th
Early May 2019
- Fyke Nets to be placed on various locations along Crane Lake shoreline
- Nets will remain in place for two days
- Female walleyes caught will be stripped of eggs and then fertilized by the male walleyes
- Eggs will be deposited on various locations on the reef; testing the reef rocks for spawning.
Mid-May 2019
Any last-minute clean-up of the work area
- Raking up loose rock and
- Repairing any damage that may have occurred during the construction process
2012-2017 Summary
A total of 59,002 large fingerling, 1,156 yearling, 8,497 fingerling, and 75,983 small fingerling walleye were stocked into the Pickerel/Crane Lakes Chain through the fall of 2017.
Crane Lake:
12,291 large fingerlings by the Lake District
1,156 yearlings by the Lake District
15,624 large fingerlings by the DNR
75,983 small fingerlings by Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Pickerel Lake:
6,608 large fingerlings by the Lake District
8,497 fingerlings by the Lake District
21,898 large fingerlings by the DNR
2,581 large fingerlings split by Lake District and Sokaogon Chippewa Community