Our aquatic resources are built to create conditions for a balanced fish community.

Predator - species that rely on other fish as their primary source of food.

Largemouth Bass - Micropterus

Largemouth Bass are the top predators in Shadow Lake. They eat Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Threadfin Shad, Minnows, and Amphibians. Largemouth Bass need to eat 8-10 pounds of forage to gain one pound!

Largemouth Bass spawning activity in Shadow Lake begins when water temperatures approach 60ᴼF in early spring. Females can spawn between 4,000-12,000 eggs per nest.

Typically, Largemouth Bass are elongated fish with a white/light underbelly and a green/grayish coloration on the top portion of its body. Normally, Largemouth Bass will have a series of black blotches along its side that will come from a lateral stripe, the length of its body.

Crappie- Pomoxis Spp

Crappie are an aggressive predator in Shadow Lake that compete with adult Largemouth for food. They typically spawn before Bass, giving juveniles an advantage for food.

Crappie reproduction can be highly erratic, making it difficult to maintain balance in Shadow Lake with an abundant population.

Crappie and Bluegill can sometimes be mistaken for each other. The key is that Crappie often appear to have black spots while Bluegill tend to have bars or stripes. Crappie also tend to have a larger mouth than Bluegill.

Crappie are one of the most desired species in Shadow Lake for table fare.

To maintain an overall balanced fish population in Shadow Lake, help us harvest Largemouth Bass and Crappie 13 inches or less. We do ask that you harvest fish at a consumption level, only removing what you intend to eat for your next meal. If you catch a Largemouth Bass or Crappie greater than 13 inches, we would love to see it! Send us a picture before you toss it back in.

Prey - species relying on sources other than fish for their primary food.

Bluegill- Lepomis Microlophus

Bluegill are the backbone of the food-chain in Shadow Lake, providing forage for all predator species. They begin their life feeding on phytoplankton, advancing to zooplankton, insect larvae, and other small fish as they grow.

Bluegill begin spawning activities at Shadow Lake in the spring and continue through the summer and early fall. Their long spwaning season allows them to produce enough food for the predator population, if managed appropriately. It's important not to over-harvest adult Bluegill during the spawning season.

Bluegill coloration is highly variable and ranges from dark blue or blueish-purple to yellow, or in some cases Bluegill may seem clear or colorless. You can easily identify a Bluegill by the Blueish region on the cheek or gill cover.

Redaer Sunfish- Lepomis Microlophus

Redear Sunfish, also known as a shell-cracker, are another of Shadow Lake's most sought out fish, because they are typically larger than a Bluegill. They graze on aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans as juveniles. As size increases, they begin to prefer mollusks including snails.

Redear Sunfish typically have only one major spawn which occurs during the spring. While spawning in lower numbers than Bluegill, they do provide some food for the predator population.

Redear Sunfish get their name from the margin color found on the outer edge of the opercular flap on the gill covering. This color can vary from a light orange as juveniles and will change into a much more prominent red color as the fish ages.

To maintain an overall balanced fish population in Shadow Lake, we only harvest Bluegill and Redear Sunfish once they are8 inches and longer. We do ask you only harvest fish at the consumption level, only removing what you intend to eat for your next meal. If you catch a Bluegill or Redear Sunfish greater than 8 inches, we would love to see it! Send us a picture before you toss it back!

Send your Shadow Lake fishing pictures to ashleyf@yourgracelife.com for a chance to be featured on our website!