Fishing Lake Mitchell

Lake Mitchell's walleye fishery has fundamentally changed - what was once a self-sustaining population now requires stocking every other year after natural reproduction ceased around 2003. The 2012 survey found walleye aged up to 17 years, some of the oldest ever documented in northwestern Lower Peninsula surveys, and they're growing 0.2 inches above state average. Largemouth bass have exploded in abundance since the 1990s and may be eating juvenile walleye, with catch rates jumping from 1.0 per net in 1993 to 6.9 per net in 2003. Most species now grow slower than state average, a reversal from the 1980s when most grew faster - black crappie are 1.4 inches behind, bluegill 1.3 inches behind, and northern pike 1.0 inch behind. The loss of brown drake mayflies over the past 20-25 years, possibly due to historical copper sulfate treatments for swimmer's itch, may explain the declining growth rates. Brown bullhead dominated the 2012 survey at 57% of the catch, while black crappie were the second most numerous at 15.5%. The lake averages 22 feet maximum depth with 90% shallower than 15 feet, substrates of sand and organic matter with some cobble and gravel areas. Eurasian milfoil requires annual herbicide treatment and hybrid milfoil is now present, potentially more resistant to control. The heavily developed shoreline has 75% armoring compared to 28% average for Michigan lakes, plus 31.9 houses per kilometer versus 11.2 average, creating habitat challenges. Despite these changes, the combined Mitchell-Cadillac fishery generates tremendous angling pressure with an estimated 37,540 trips and 117,567 hours in 2006-2007.