The Great Lakes Indian Fishing-Wildlife Commission and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conduct a reproduction index every fall on Lake Chippewa. DNR Fish Biologist Frank Pratt shared the following statistics as a result of the fall 2001 survey.

Walleyes
Last year the walleye index was 56 per mile. The 2001 survey projects a walleye index of 80 per mile. These are both extraordinary numbers. Pratt point- ed out that only 20 young walleyes per mile would represent very good reproduction for any natural walleye lake. Lake Chippewa is well in excess of that.

Musky
The population remains stable and information gleaned from Musky Charts located around the Chippewa Flowage and from creel surveys indicates that Flowage continues to support a healthy popu- lation. Lots of muskies were stocked last spring and shocking surveys indicate very good survival rate.

Northern
The Northern Pike population has continued to increase.

Bass
Largemouth bass had an exceptional reproduction year. Fingerlings of 4 - 41/2" were found on both sides of the flowage. Such a significant presence was not expected. Typically, largemouth are more often found on the west side, smallmouth more pro- lific on the east side.

Crappie
Produced a good year class for the second year in a row.

Bullheads
Observed a very strong bullhead increase over last 10 years. This is good news for the rest of the fish community as it represents abundant food source.

Perch
Not as many counted as before. While walleyes typ- ically eat perch, plentiful bullheads will probably replace perch as diet mainstay.