Fishing Chicagon Lake

Chicagon Lake offers a diverse two-story fishery that's transitioning due to zebra mussel impacts and climate change. The walleye population has crashed from 2.6 adults per acre in 2009 to just 0.2 per acre in 2021, despite intensive stocking efforts reaching 57 fish per acre in 2022. Natural walleye recruitment has essentially failed since 2016, with only three young-of-year captured in fall surveys from 2014-2022. However, the remaining adult walleye show excellent growth at 3.3 inches above state average. Northern pike provide the best predator fishing with above-average growth (1.5 inches over state average) and fish ranging to 38 inches. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass also show above-average growth, though smallmouth numbers have declined 87% since 2009. The panfish bite is outstanding, with bluegill catch rates jumping from 16.4 per net in 2009 to 43.5 per net in 2021. Bluegill average 6.1 inches with 55% reaching the 6-inch preferred size. Northern muskellunge require continued stocking but provide trophy opportunities, with fish to 51 inches reported. The lake's coldwater species face challenges from zebra mussels - lake whitefish have shrunk significantly since the 2006 invasion, with age-4 fish now averaging 15.2 inches versus 17-21.6 inches historically. Cisco remain stable and naturally reproducing. Lake structure includes a sharp drop-off at mid-lake to 90-100 feet, with the eastern shore featuring rocky steep drops and the western basin having softer sediments and gradual slopes. Thermocline forms at 23-37 feet with oxygen good to 79 feet. The lake has 55 submerged trees per mile providing excellent fish cover, though shoreline development continues to increase. Spring warming rates have exceeded the critical 0.3°C per day threshold in four of six recent years, contributing to walleye recruitment failures.