By Louie Stout

A Michigan DNR survey of Diamond Lake revealed a low number of walleyes but several were of nice quality.

DNR Biologist Matt Diana said his crew set nets for a couple of weeks and then did electro-fishing in the early spring of 2020. They captured 217 walleyes at the Cass County lake.

Michigan stocks there every other spring with small fingerlings. The 2020 survey was to check walleye survival, and Diana said it was below state average.

Local groups stocked Diamond with larger fall fingerlings a few years prior and those appear to be doing better. He saw fish measuring in the upper 20s.

Larger fall fingerlings survive better but they are more difficult and costly to raise.

“The walleyes that have survived are growing great,” he said. “Some fish are reaching 18 inches by age 4.”

His crew also took a look at northern pike and caught a lot in the 20- to 24-inch size, mostly males, which coincide with local complaints that the lake lacks bigger pike. He said there are discussions of possibly putting a slot limit on pike to protect bigger females.