Fishing Big Shag Lake

Big Shag Lake delivers exceptional catch rates for Northern Pike, with winter and fall surveys producing 7.0 and 6.4 fish per net night respectively - well above regional averages. However, pike growth is very slow at 2.9 inches below state average, requiring 5-6 years to reach 24 inches. The no minimum size limit regulation encourages harvest of smaller pike to improve the population structure. Largemouth Bass are abundant at 10.0 fish per acre with decent growth until reaching the 14-inch legal size, then growth slows dramatically to 2.5 inches below average for larger fish. Only 20% of bass exceed the size limit, creating a stockpiling effect. Bluegill dominate the catch at 67.5% by numbers but average only 3 inches with severely truncated size structure - just 7% exceed 6 inches. However, large-mesh fyke nets reveal better-sized fish averaging 5.3 inches with 41% over 6 inches, suggesting selective harvest of smaller bluegill could help. Pumpkinseed show better size structure averaging 7.7 inches with 31% exceeding 6 inches and near-average growth. The lake experiences hypoxic conditions below 18 feet in summer and 20 feet in winter, limiting coldwater species but favoring warmwater fish. Historical fish kills occurred in Mitchell Bay during severe winters when ice blocked the channel and decomposing vegetation depleted oxygen. The heavily developed shoreline with 29.5 dwellings per mile and 17.5% armoring has reduced natural woody habitat to just 102 logs per mile - less than half the regional average. Recent habitat improvements in 2023 added 6 submerged logs and 4 brush bundles at strategic locations. Yellow Perch, once overabundant and stunted requiring manual removals of 38 pounds per acre in 1979, are now less common but larger. Walleye stocking was discontinued in 1999 after decades of poor survival despite massive efforts including 800,000 spring fry in 1974.