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Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lenawee County (T5-6, R1E, Sec. many) Surveyed June 17 and 18 and July 1, 1992 Michael P. Herman Environment Devils Lake is a natural lake located in northwest Lenawee County approximately
13 miles north and west of the community of Adrian (see
map of Devils Lake). It is part of the Bean Creek watershed which
lies within the St. Joe of the Maumee River Basin. Covering a surface
area of approximately 1300 acres, Devils Lake is the largest lake in Lenawee
County. It has a maximum depth of 63 feet. Inlets to Devils Lake include
Horton Creek and two small unnamed streams which enter the lake at its
northwest end. Bean Creek outlets Devils Lake at its southwest end and
flows to Addison Mill Pond, the Tiffin River, and the Maumee River to
the south. A small concrete dam at the origin of the outlet maintains
the lake level at approximately 12 inches above Bean Creek. Round Lake,
located immediately south and east of Devils Lake, is connected to it
by a small channel which is too shallow for boating. Sand and gravel are the predominant substrate types from shore to approximately
the 5-foot contour. Marl is the most common substrate type from the 5-foot
contour to a depth of approximately 20 feet. The deeper sections of the
lake consist mainly of pulpy peat. Although Chara or muskgrass
is common in the shallow water areas in Devils Lake, aquatic plant growth
is quite limited. The most common aquatic plants in Devils Lake include
white and yellow water lily, bulrush, bladderwort, Myriophyllum,
and several species of pondweed. All are relatively sparse. The terrain surrounding Devils Lake is gently rolling and is mainly farm
fields with scattered woodland areas. The shoreline of this lake is nearly
completely developed with both summer and permanent residences. There
is a DNR public boat launch with parking for approximately 60 cars located
on the lake's southwest end, just off Devils Lake Highway. This lake receives
such intense use during the open water months that most anglers are forced
to concentrate their angling efforts during the very early morning hours.
Because of the lake's popularity, and to avoid illegal parking of vehicles
and boat trailers on adjacent roads, the DNR charges an entry fee and
limits the number of boats that are launched on weekends to the number
of available parking sites. Bluegills, largemouth bass, and yellow perch were stocked intermittently
in Devils Lake from the late 1930s through the mid-1940s. The practice
of stocking these species was popular in many area lakes during this period
but was discontinued after research showed that stocking these species
was not necessary. The Devils Lake public access site was purchased by
the state in 1951. Tiger muskellunge fingerlings were first stocked in Devils Lake in 1961.
An electrofishing survey in 1964 resulted in the capture of no muskies.
"Tigers" were stocked again in 1976 and a subsequent survey in 1978 resulted
in the capture of no muskies. Tiger muskellunge were stocked on an alternate
year basis from 1978 through 1990 with limited success and few reports
from anglers have been received. This stocking program was discontinued
in 1992. Walleye fingerlings were stocked in Devils Lake in 1982, 1983, 1985,
1987, and 1992. So far, a walleye fishery has not been established. Although
past fish surveys captured several walleyes, anglers are not reporting
their catch if they are indeed, successful. An intensive creel survey
conducted on this lake in 1987 showed very few walleyes were caught by
anglers. A post card creel survey was conducted in 1992 and no anglers
returned cards. Current walleye stocking research suggests that stocking
smaller fingerlings in early summer, as opposed to stocking slightly larger
ones in the fall, may result in higher survival of stocked fish. Consequently,
the stocking program was modified. Large numbers of small walleye fingerlings
were stocked in Devils Lake in the early summer of 1992 and similar numbers
are planned for 1993 and 1994. Evaluations of these introductions will
follow. If a significant walleye fishery does not develop, this stocking
program will be discontinued. Fisheries personnel from the Jackson District have successfully raised
redear sunfish since 1984 and have stocked nearly two million fingerlings
in over 30 area lakes. This fast-growing panfish, originally native to
the southeastern United States, has become increasingly popular among
anglers since their first introduction to a few southern Michigan lakes
in the early 1950s. Preliminary evaluations have generally shown good
survival of stocked redears, and their natural reproduction has been confirmed
in several lakes. Devils Lake appears to have ideal substrate and habitat
for the growth and survival of the redear sunfish. But, a one-time plant
of redears in Devils Lake in 1985 failed to produce a significant fishery
and few redears were caught in subsequent routine surveys. An intensive creel survey of Devils Lake was conducted from April 24
to September 7, 1987 (Herman 1989). Major fish species caught listed in
descending order of numbers of fish creeled included bluegills, rock bass,
pumpkinseed, yellow perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass,
walleye, and northern pike. The creel clerk interviewed 738 anglers during
this survey. The total harvest was an estimated 19,038 fish, comprising
11 species. Fishing success for bluegill was excellent. They were targeted
by 34% of all anglers and accounted for 62% of the total catch. A sample
of nearly 700 bluegills was measured by the creel clerk throughout the
summer and they averaged an impressive 8.25 inches in length. Other major
species harvested were rock bass (12%), pumpkinseed (10%), and yellow
perch (8%). A creel survey of the Devils Lake fishery was also conducted from the
spring of 1950 through the winter of 1953-54 (Schneider and Lockwood 1979).
For purposes of comparison with the 1987 creel survey, only the spring
and summer data from the 1950s survey were used. Anglers in 1987 made
only about half as many trips to Devils Lake as in the 1950s. Fishermen
spent more hours per trip in 1987, but fished fewer total hours than anglers
in the 1950s. Fewer fish (less than half as many) were harvested per hour
in 1987 although anglers harvested similar numbers of fish per trip. Statistics
for total number of fish harvested by 1987 anglers were much lower than
those reported in the 1950s. Historically, Devils Lake has received intense fishing pressure throughout
the spring and summer months, mainly for bluegills, perch, and largemouth
bass. Anglers are quite successful, despite intensive use of the lake
by power boats and jet skis. There is a steady winter fishery for bluegills
and yellow perch. Unique to this lake is the self-sustaining white bass
population which was noted as early as 1948. The 1987 creel survey estimated
that only 119 white bass were harvested, but the creeled fish averaged
nearly 15 inches long and one fish weighed over 2 pounds. Devils Lake has the reputation as one of the better fishing lakes in
Michigan and is included in the latest edition of "Michigan's 50 Best
Fishing Lakes" published by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. This
lake contains good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill,
yellow perch, and pumpkinseed sunfish, and has a fair population of walleye. Devils Lake was last surveyed in the summer of 1992 with five standard
8 x 5 x 3-foot trap nets and two 125-foot experimental gill nets. In addition, an electrofishing sample was taken. The trap nets were fished
for 2 nights and the gill nets were fished for 1 night. Gamefish species
captured during this survey in descending order of abundance included
bluegill, pumpkinseed, rock bass, bullhead, yellow perch, black crappie,
largemouth bass, white bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike,
and tiger muskellunge (Tables 1a and 1b). Bluegills comprised nearly 30% of all fish caught in trap nets and they
averaged 7 inches long. Seventy percent of the bluegills caught in trap
nets were at least 6-inches long, an acceptable size to anglers (Table
1a). Based on growth analysis using fish scales, bluegills caught in trap
and gill nets during the 1992 survey exhibited growth rates that were
one-half inch above the state average (Table 2a). Bluegills are targeted for sampling in inland lakes because of their
role in determining fish community structure and overall sportfishing
quality (Schneider 1981). Even though the goal of lake surveys is to sample
all fish species and all sizes present, many times the bluegill population
is the only one adequately sampled because bluegills are typically the
most abundant. Recently a ranking system has been developed that allows
fish managers to get an idea of the relative quality of a lake's fish
population. On a scale of 1 to 7 (Schneider 1990), the quality of the
bluegill population in Devils Lake based on the trap net catch was calculated
as 5.25 or "very good". Pumpkinseed sunfish caught in trap and gill nets averaged nearly 7 inches
and approximately 75% of them were of acceptable size to anglers. Fish
scale analysis indicated these fish were growing nearly one-inch above
the state average rate. Yellow perch comprised over 40% of the total gill net catch by number
and they averaged over 9 inches long. Scale analysis showed they were
growing well above the state average growth rate. Seventy-five percent
of them were over 7-inches long, the size anglers consider large enough
to keep. Black crappie caught in trap nets averaged 8.4 inches in length and exhibited
growth rates over one inch above the state average rate. Nearly all of
the crappies were over 7 inches long, or "keeper" size. In general, few largemouth or smallmouth bass are caught with trap and
gill nets and this survey was no exception. Only 10 largemouth bass and
six smallmouth bass were captured. However, both species exhibited above
average growth trends, although not enough fish per age group were captured
to be statistically significant. Even though relatively few stocked walleyes have survived in Devils Lake,
those caught during the present survey exhibited growth rates that were
1.4 inches above the state average. A total of seven walleyes were caught
with trap and gill nets and they averaged over 20 inches in length. Devils Lake was surveyed with a 240-Volt boomshocker on July 1, 1992
for a period of one hour. Since boomshocker surveys tend to result in
a sample of more small fish, these data are presented separately (Table
1c). Gamefish species captured in descending order of abundance included
bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, and bullhead. Of particular interest is the growth differential between the smaller
bluegills and yellow perch caught during the electrofishing survey and
the larger bluegills and perch caught during the trap-and gill net survey.
Bluegills that are age I, II, and III exhibit relatively slow growth.
However, age IV, V, and VI bluegills exhibit growth rates that are significantly
above the state average. Likewise, age I yellow perch exhibit just "average"
growth but all other age groups exhibit very good growth rates (Table
2a and 2b). Devils Lake is large and relatively deep. Most of the lake
bottom consists of sand and marl and is lacking vegetation. These features,
coupled with an intensely developed shoreline, has resulted in very few
nursery and associated food production areas necessary for good growth
of small fish. Anglers interviewed during the fish survey reported consistent angling
success during the open water months for bluegill, yellow perch, largemouth,
and smallmouth bass. Survey records show that species composition has remained relatively
unchanged since this lake was first surveyed in May 1927, with the notable
exception of the addition of white bass. However, since seines were the
predominant gear type used during these early surveys, white bass may
have evaded capture. Growth trends for bluegill, yellow perch, largemouth
bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseeds, and crappie are comparable to those
from past fishery surveys of Devils Lake. Age composition and survival characteristics of all species listed in
Table 2a and 2b appear to be normal based on scale sample frequencies.
The longevity of yellow perch appears to be above average. Redear sunfish seem ideally suited for Devils Lake. Although they were
stocked once in 1985, very few redears were observed during subsequent
surveys and few were reported caught. The Redear Sunfish Management Plan,
written in January of 1991, recommends stocking redears for three years
in succession, if possible, in order to give this species a fair chance
at establishing itself. Redear sunfish fingerlings were stocked in Devils
Lake in 1991 and two more introductions are planned in 1993 and 1995. Devils Lake supports a varied and fast-growing fish community. Historically,
fish growth has been consistently above the state average for most species.
It is hoped that the current walleye stocking program will result in a
significant fishery. A modest but viable walleye fishery has developed
as a result of past introductions. Continued stocking and evaluation of
this species is recommended. Devils Lake presently supports very good
populations of bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, rock bass, largemouth
bass, and smallmouth bass for angling and anglers are very satisfied with
the existing fishery. Report completed: April, 1993. Herman, M. P. 1989. Results of the 1987 creel survey of Devils Lake,
Vineyard Lake, Lake Lansing, and two sites on the Grand River. Schneider, J. C., and R. N. Lockwood. 1979. Effects of regulations on
the fisheries of Michigan lakes, 1946-65. Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, Fisheries Research Report 1872, Ann Arbor. Schneider, J. C. 1981. Fish communities in warmwater lakes. Michigan
Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research Report 1890, Ann Arbor. Schneider, J. C. 1990. Classifying bluegill populations from lake survey
data. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Technical Report
90-10, Ann Arbor. Table 1a.-Number, weight, and length indices of fish collected
from Devils Lake with trap nets, June 17 and 18, 1992.
Table 1b.-Number, weight, and length indices of fish collected
from Devils Lake with gill nets, June 17, 1992.
Table 1c.-Number, weight, and length indices of fish collected
from Devils Lake with a boomshocker, July 1, 1992.
Table 2a.-Average total length (inches) at age, and growth relative
to the state average, for five species of fish sampled from Devils Lake
with trap nets and gill nets, June 17 and 18, 1992. Number of fish aged
is given in parentheses.
Table 2b.-Average total length (inches) at age, and growth relative
to the state average, for three species of fish sampled from Devils Lake
with a boomshocker July 1, 1992. Number of fish aged is given in parentheses.
Table 3a.-Estimated age frequency (percent) of fish caught from
Devils Lake with trap and gill nets, June 17 and 18, 1992.
Table 3b.-Estimated age frequency (percent) of fish caught from
Devils Lake with a 240-V boomshocker, July 1, 1992.
Last Update: 08/05/02
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