Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No.1887, 1980
Effect of Sucker Removal on Fish and Fishing at Big Bear Lake
James C. Schneider and Walter R. Crowe, 1887
Abstract.-White suckers comprised 78% of the fish biomass at Big Bear Lake, Otsego County, Michigan, in the early 1940's. About 90% of the adults were removed with trap nets in 1943, and again in 1955-57. Recovery took 8 and 3 years, respectively. Data on angling, growth, condition, and population size were collected before and after the first removal.
Yellow perch and, to a lesser extent rock bass, benefited from the removal of suckers. Largemouth and smallmouth bass did not benefit. The catch of perch by anglers increased from about 500 per year to over 12,000; in addition, a large winter fishery for them developed. There was about a 4-fold increase in rock bass catch and population size. The increases in perch and rock bass stocks were achieved more by improved recruitment than by improved growth.
Removal of suckers with trap nets is a feasible management tool in lakes where suckers are dominant, where a high proportion of them can be easily removed, and where there are only a few species of fish present to absorb the benefits.