Fishing Morrison Lake

Morrison Lake offers exceptional bluegill fishing with a Schneider Index of 5.3 (good to excellent) and 85% of fish at harvestable size. The 2022 survey captured 1,611 bluegills ranging 3-10 inches with above average growth (+0.8 index). Largemouth bass fishing is equally impressive with well above average growth (+1.1 index) and 59% of bass meeting the 14-inch minimum - perfect for the 31 annual tournaments held here. Black crappie are abundant above the 75th percentile for the region, with 70% reaching legal size in the 4-11 inch range. The lake's shallow 36-foot maximum depth creates a challenging thermal structure - fish are confined to the top 14 feet during summer as dissolved oxygen drops to zero below 17 feet. Bottom composition varies from marl nearshore to sand and pulpy peat, with large littoral shoals extending from western and southeastern shores. The fishery has rebounded dramatically since the 1980s when Common Carp dominated and caused severe water quality problems. Walleye stocking from 1988-1999 was discontinued due to poor summer habitat - August water temperatures of 77°F at only 9 feet depth with no suitable coolwater refuge. Northern pike remain rare due to lack of spawning vegetation and unsuitable summer conditions. Yellow perch provide a solid secondary fishery with 96% above 7 inches and average growth. The 66% armored shoreline and 328-acre size with 4.3 miles of shoreline create a heavily developed lake, but fishing pressure is well-distributed across the multiple species. Water clarity averages 2.5 feet Secchi depth with ongoing nutrient management through Phoslock treatments and watershed controls.