WDNR Winnebago Trawling Assessment

Information submitted by Angelo Cozzola, WDNR

The Oshkosh fisheries management and operations staff, along with 30+ volunteers, have wrapped up another trawling season on Lake Winnebago. This annual survey has been conducted since 1986, providing insight into the fish community and species year class strengths of Lake Winnebago for 36 years. This allows readers to compare species abundance of the past and present, and potentially for upcoming years through the young of the year (YOY) catch. In 2022, we were able to return to our normal volunteer participation following two years of pandemic protocols out on the Calumet. Our dedicated volunteers had a key role in the completion of the survey, and we were glad to have them back at full capacity.

Methods: The Lake Winnebago bottom trawling assessment has been conducted with the same standardized method for the last 36 years. This involves a total of 138 net pulls split up into three sampling events. We conduct 46 net pulls during the first week of August, September, and October. An average day on the trawl consists of 10-12 net pulls. The 27-foot-wide trawl net is deployed behind the boat and pulled along the bottom of the lake at 4 miles per hour (mph) for 5 minutes. When the net is pulled in, the fish are emptied onto the counting table, and the trawling crew counts the fish and separates the gamefish into a holding tank. The gamefish are then measured for length and released. The long-term data set from the survey allows for the comparison of year class strength and adult fish relative abundance over the past 36 years, giving fisheries managers and interested anglers insight on the status of the Winnebago fishery.

Results: The trawl survey captured a total of 176,336 fish, representing 22 different species. A total of 45,849 adult fish were caught, representing 21 species. Most notable adult fish results include the second-highest Yellow Perch catch on record, above-average Walleye catch, measurable recruitment of the strong 2021 Sauger hatch (age-1 this year), a strong Bluegill catch, and Freshwater Drum remaining well-below average for the fifth consecutive year. The YOY catch was less diverse, with ten different species captured, but a higher total catch with 130,487 fish captured. Highlights from the YOY catch include the third highest Walleye catch on record, a record-setting Yellow Perch catch, an all-time high Trout Perch catch, a high Emerald Shiner catch, and another year of low catch rates for Gizzard Shad and White Bass.

Read the full assessment by clicking here: WDNR 2022 Winnebago Trawling Assessment

If you have any questions please contact: Angelo Cozzola, Winnebago System Gamefish Biologist, Fisheries Management Bureau/Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at 920-410-9170 or angelo.cozzola@wiconsin.gov