By Louie Stout
If you like fishing for bluegill and bass – and who doesn’t – you might want to put Donnell Lake on your to-do list.
Michigan biologists conducted a survey there two springs ago to get a handle on the fish population since private lake groups are wanting to increase their walleye stockings.
Biologist Matt Diana said trap nets and electro-fishing tactics were used and turned up some good-sized bluegill and lots of bass.
“We didn’t see a lot 9-inch bluegill but we saw a lot of 8 inchers,” he said. “We didn’t see a great number of bluegills, but definitely great sizes.”
He went on to say that a key element to a good-sized bluegill population is a good bass population, and Donnell had that as well.
“We saw lots of bass, but not many sizeable fish,” he said. “The lake lacks good habitat, but property owners are moving toward improving that. It should help improve fishing over time.”
There was no shortage of big pike, either. Although they weren’t targeted, “some massive pike” were captured in the nets.
The survey didn’t turn up many crappies and perch numbers were low. Aside from the gamefish, the lake has a lot of turtles.
“Our nets were packed with turtles,” he noted.
The survey was done in May, 2024.