Mill Creek (Lake)

General Information

Amenities

• Boat Access
• Accessible Pier
• Picnic Area
• Beach
• Trails
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Camping
• Concessions
• Good/Excellent Shorefishing
• Hard Surface Boat Ramp

Fishing Report

Fishing Forecast

Spring 2012 D.C. Electrofishing Assessment – A comprehensive survey was scheduled for the 2012 field season at Mill Creek Lake. Spring time D.C. electrofishing, which is a component of a comprehensive survey, was conducted on June 6th to assess the subadult and adult fish populations of Mill Creek Lake. Considerable numbers of largemouth bass were sampled during the fall D.C. electrofishing assessment. A total of 86 largemouth bass were sampled, for a catch rate of 1.9 fish per minute, suggesting an over abundant largemouth bass population in Mill Creek Lake. An electrofishing catch rate of 1 largemouth bass per minute, > 8.0 inches would typically predict 20-largemouth bass/acre, the desired value for a healthy and balanced population. An estimate of 21 fish per acre (objective 8 – 12 fish per acre) of stock (8.0 – 11.9 inches) size fish suggests substantial numbers of this size group, implying excessive largemouth bass recruitment in Mill Creek Lake. Quality (12.0 – 14.9 inches) size fish comprised the sample at 8 fish per acre, (objective 4 –6 fish per acre) indicating tremendous numbers of this size group in Mill Creek Lake. Preferred (>15.0 inches) size fish comprised 9 fish per acre (objective of 4 – 6 fish per acre), signifying significant numbers of larger fish in Mill Creek Lake which will be attractive to the serious largemouth bass angler. Length frequency analysis reflects several year classes present in various densities. A largemouth PSD (proportional stock density) value of 44% is within the 40 – 60 target range indicating good size structure of the largemouth bass population in Mill Creek Lake. Quality (12.0 – 14.9 inches) and preferred (> 15.0 inches) size fish represented 21 and 23% percent of the total largemouth bass catch. Stock (8.0 – 11.9 inches) size largemouth bass comprised the remaining 56% of the total largemouth bass catch, indicating recruitment of this size group in Mill Creek Lake. Relative weight (WR), an index of body condition reflexes a largemouth bass population in fairly good body condition. An overall WR of 90 is below the target range of 95 – 105 indicating a largemouth bass population in less than desirable body condition in Mill Creek Lake. Overall, stock (8.0 – 11.9 inches) size fish reflects good Wr’s at 96; however quality (12.0-14.9 inches) and preferred (>15.0 inches) size fish were less then desirable at 84 and 91 respectively. This decline in Wr’s may be attributed to intraspecific competition among the huge numbers in the angler acceptable size groups in Mill Creek Lake. Bluegills were also sampled during the 2012 spring D.C. electrofishing assessment. A bluegill PSD vale of 66 was above the target range of 20 – 40%, suggesting a bluegill population dominated by larger fish in Mill Creek Lake which will be attractive to the serious bluegill angler. Length frequency analysis reflects stock (3.0 - 5.9 inches) size fish well represented in the sample (34%) with quality (6.0 – 7.9 inches) size fish representing the remaining 66 percent of the total bluegill catch. Relative weight (WR), an index of condition, was 98 which is within the target range of 95 – 105, indicating a fish population in good body condition. Black bullheads were also sampled predominately during 2012 spring electrofishing assessment. These fish no doubt became established within the lake after Mill Creek began to refill in 2005. With the current sizeable largemouth bass population in Mill Creek Lake, it is expected that black bullhead recruitment will be nonexistent. Black crappie (n = 3), yellow perch (n = 1) and punkinseed (n = 2) were also sampled during the 2012 spring D.C. electrofishing assessment. 2012 Tandem Hoop Net Assessment – Tandem hoop nets, the second component of the comprehensive survey were set September 10th – 16th to assess the subadult and adult channel catfish population of Mill Creek Lake. A total of 60 channel catfish, reflecting a catch rate of 5 fish per series was sampled during the 2012 tandem hoop net assessment suggesting low numbers of this species in Mill Creek Lake. Length frequency analysis reflects a fish population dominated by stock (11.0 – 15.9 inches) and quality (16.0 – 23.9 inches) size fish at 20 and 78 percent; respectively, with preferred (>23.0 inches) size fish (2 percent) comprising the remaining channel catfish sample. Length frequency and age and growth analysis indicates age 4 – 8 year old channel catfish within the sample in varying degrees. The 2005, 2006 and 2008 year classes, comprised of stocking years represented approximately 75 percent of the total channel catfish sample. It appears that the cage catfish program has resulted in excellent survival and recruitment of the fish stocked in Mill Creek Lake. Non stocking years comprised of the 2007 and 2004 and older year classes were sampled in limited numbers and comprised the remaining 25 percent of the sample. Mill Creek Lake was last stocked in 2008 which no doubt can be accountable for the very limited numbers of age I – III year old channel catfish within the sample. Age and growth and length frequency analysis indicates excellent growth of the Mill Creek Lake channel catfish population with growth rates exceeding typical growth rates from other cage catfish lakes within the Spirit Lake District. Relative weight (Wr), an indice of body condition was 91, which is slightly below the target range of 95 – 105 indicating a fish population in fairly good body condition. An attempt during the July tandem hoop net assessment to obtain a population estimate of the Mill Creek Lake channel catfish population could not be made due to the small sample size and limited recaps. In an effort to get adequate numbers for a population estimate tandem hoop nets were again set September 18th – 21st. A combined total of 77 catfish were caught from the July and September surveys for a catch rate of five fish per series. The total estimate for the channel catfish population of Mill Creek Lake was 19 pounds per acre (9 fish per acre). 2012 Fall Fyke Net Assessment – Fall fyke netting, the third component of a comprehensive survey was conducted on Mill Creek Lake September 19th – 21st to assess the subadult and adult fish populations of Mill Creek Lake. A bluegill catch rate of 20 fish per net was significantly higher than the lakes median value of 6 fish per net (2 – 14 fish per net, lower and upper percentiles) suggesting a higher than typical bluegill population in Mill Creek Lake. Length frequency and age and growth analysis reflects a fish population dominated by large fish which will be attractive to the Mill Creek Lake bluegill angler. PSD, an indice of population structure was 92, considerably outside of the target range of 20 – 40 which indicates a balanced bluegill population. Quality (6.0 – 7.9 inches) and preferred (> 8.0 inches) sized fish dominated the catch representing 92 percent of the bluegill catch, with stock (3.0 – 5.9 inches) sized fish comprising the remaining 8 percent of the total bluegill sample. This low number of small fish in Mill Creek Lake no doubt indicates very poor bluegill recruitment of the Mill Creek bluegill population. Predation on the bluegill population by the very huge largemouth bass population may be one explanation for the poor bluegill structure in Mill Creek Lake. Age and growth analysis from whole otoliths indicates several bluegill year classes exist in Mill Creek Lake in various densities. Age VII and VI (2006 and 2007 year classes) dominated the sample representing 82 and 10 percent the total bluegill catch. Age II, III and V (2001, 2010 and 2008 year classes) comprised mainly of stock (3.0 – 5.9 inches) size fish represented only 8 percent of the total bluegill catch, indicating poor recruitment and weak year classes of this size group in Mill Creek Lake. When compared to historical age and growth from Mill Creek Lake, bluegill growth rates are poor and reflect growth rates below bluegill indices from small impoundments within the Spirit Lake District. Relative weight (WR), an index of body condition, reflexes a bluegill population in fairly good body condition. A relative weight of 90 is slightly below the target range of 95 – 105. Black crappies were also sampled during the 2012 fall fyke net assessment. A black crappie catch rate of 2 fish net was 7 times lower than the lakes median value and is significantly less than the lakes median value of 14 fish per net (7 – 29 fish per net; lower and upper percentiles) indicating limited numbers of this species in Mill Creek Lake. Length frequency and age and growth analysis indicates a fish population comprised primarily of large fish. RSD values for quality (8.0 – 9.9 inches) and preferred (> 10.0 inches) size fish comprised 45 and 41 percent, with stock (5.0 – 7.9 inches) size fish representing the remaining 14 percent of the total black crappie catch. Age and growth analysis from whole otoliths reflect a population comprised mainly of age V and VI (2007 and 2008 year classes) year old fish representing 82 and 10 percent respectively of the total black crappie catch. Age V and III year old fish (2008 and 2010 year classes) comprised the remaining 5 and 3 percent of the total black crappie catch. The Mill Creek Lake black crappie population exhibit excellent growth rates. When compared to historical age and growth from Mill Creek Lake, growth rates improved significantly and reflect growth rates above indices for small impoundments within the Spirit Lake District. A black crappie relative weight of 91 is slightly below the target range of 95 – 105 reflecting a fish population in fairly good body condition. Black bullheads, comprised of large fish were also sampled during the 2012 fall fyke net assessment. It is assumed that the big largemouth bass population will control bullhead recruitment thru predation resulting in a very limited black bullhead population in the next few years in Mill Creek Lake. 2012 Fall D.C. Electrofishing Asssessment – A fall D.C. electrofishing assessment was conducted on September 29th, 2012 as a follow up survey of the spring 2012 D.C. electrofishing assessment to further monitor the largemouth bass population of Mill Creek Lake. Big numbers of largemouth bass were again sampled during the fall D.C electrofishing assessment. A total of 107 largemouth bass stock size and larger were sampled, for a catch rate of 1.8 fish per minute, continuing to indicate an over sized largemouth bass population in Mill Creek Lake. An electrofishing catch rate of 1 largemouth bass per minute, > 8.0 inches would typically predict 20-largemouth bass/acre, the desired value for a healthy and balanced population. An estimate of 17 fish per acre (objective 8 – 12 fish per acre) of stock (8.0 – 11.9 inches) size fish suggests substantial numbers of this size group, implying excellent largemouth bass recruitment in Mill Creek Lake. Quality (12.0 – 14.9 inches) size fish comprised the sample at 15 fish per acre, (objective 4 –6 fish per acre) (8 fish per acre; spring 2012 D.C. electrofishing assessment) indicating a upswing in this size groups numbers possibly attributed to growth of these fish moving into the larger size group. in Mill Creek Lake. Preferred (>15.0 inches) size fish comprised 4 fish per acre (objective of 4 – 6 fish per acre), signifying adequate numbers of larger fish in Mill Creek Lake which will be attractive to the serious largemouth bass angler. Overall a largemouth bass population of 36 fish per acre is nearly twice the desired value of 20 fish per acre, indicating excess numbers of the largemouth bass in Mill Creek Lake. Length frequency analysis reflects several year classes present in various densities. A largemouth PSD (proportional stock density) value of 52% shifted slightly (43, 2012 spring D.C. electrofishing assessment); however, this value remained within the 40 – 60 target range indicating continuing good size structure of the largemouth bass population in Mill Creek Lake. Quality (12.0 – 14.9 inches) and preferred (> 15.0 inches) size fish represented 41 and 11 (21 and 23%; spring 2012 D.C. electrofishing assessment) percent of the total largemouth bass catch. This shift in the largemouth bass size group is no doubt attributed to growth over the summer. Stock (8.0 – 11.9 inches) size largemouth bass comprised the remaining 48% of the total largemouth bass catch, supporting the continued notion of good recruitment of this size group in Mill Creek Lake. Relative weight (WR), an index of body condition remained relatively unchanged and reflexes a largemouth bass population in fairly good body condition. An overall WR of 88 (90 2012 spring D.C. elcetrofishing assessment) is below the target range of 95 – 105 indicating a largemouth bass population in less than desirable body condition in Mill Creek Lake. Bluegills were also sampled during the 2012 fall D.C. electrofishing assessment. A bluegill PSD vale of 82 increased (66 2012 spring electrofishing assessment) and is above the target range of 20 – 40%, reflecting a bluegill population dominated by large fish in Mill Creek Lake which will be attractive to the serious bluegill angler. Length frequency analysis reflects stock (3.0 - 5.9 inches) size fish well represented in the sample (18%) with quality (6.0 – 7.9 inches) size fish comprising the remaining 82 percent of the total bluegill catch. Relative weight (WR), an index of condition declined to 90, (98 2012 spring electrofishing assessment) which is below the target range of 95 – 105, indicating a fish population in fair body condition. YOUNG OF THE YEAR ASSESSMENT A bag seine assessment was conducted on September 20th 2012 to assess the reproductive success of the game fish species of Mill Creek Lake. Young of the year (YOY) largemouth bass were sampled in good numbers during the 2012 bag seine assessment. A largemouth bass catch rate of 18 fish per haul was comparable to the lakes median value of 14 largemouth bass per haul suggesting good spawning success. Young of the year bluegill were also sampled in good numbers during the 2012 bag seine assessment. YOY bluegill catch rates were also 18 fish per haul which is comparable to the lakes median value of 26 fish per haul (2 – 164 fish per haul, lower and upper percentiles) suggesting good spawning success of the bluegill population of Mill Creek Lake. No black crappie YOY were detected during the 2012 bag seine assessment suggesting very limited or no spawning success of this species.. (2012)

Lake Maps

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Popular Fish Species at this Lake

• Black bullhead
• Black crappie
• Bluegill
• Carp
• Channel Catfish
• Freshwater Drum
• Green sunfish
• Largemouth Bass
• Pumpkinseed
• Walleye
• White crappie
• White sucker
• Yellow Perch

Regulations

• Fishing Regulations

Fish Surveys

Lake Fish Survey Data Data from the most recent fisheries survey of this lake is provided on this external web site. This data may include information from various netting surveys and/or electroshocking surveys. Data includes numbers of fish sampled, and fish size ranges. Not all lakes are sampled every year.

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Water Quality

• Water Quality Reports
• Iowa Water Web

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information. Here is a list of current fish consumption advisories for Iowa lakes and rivers.