Lot numbers are required on all watercraft.- Watercraft must be registered per Michigan Boating Laws.
- Watercraft entering our lakes may be contaminated with invasive aquatic weeds, thoroughly clean your watercraft and trailer before launching.
- All guests must have written permission to be on the lakes.
- Poachers who come onto our lakes without permission are not welcome. Please help enforce.
- Do not overfish on spawning areas which are usually found in shallow water.
- Spawning is a critical time of year for the reproduction cycle.
- Spawning beds are circular in shape and cleaned out by the spawning fish so gravel is exposed. They are usually in two to five feet of water around the shorelines or other shallow water areas. Excellent web site is: www.fishweb.com/recreation/fishing/fishing.html
- Remember, spawning grounds and chemicals do not mix.
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Carp catching methods – refer to In Fisherman web site: www.in-fisherman.com/carp/catching-carp-during-spring
- 2019 Michigan Fishing Guidelines
Fishing for Kids
The third annual Fishing for Kids event was held on May 25th, 2019. Approximately 20 boys and girls participated in an experimental day to learn about the fish of Crystal and Perch lakes, catch a wide variety of fish, make new friends, and share a delicious lunch. The restrictions from covid prevented the next events from occurring. We hope to resume this activity in the summer of 2022.
We want to thank Nancy and Dave VanDerworp for opening up their home and hosting this annual event. Our thanks to Rick Applegate, Jeff Greep, and Dave VanDerworp for coordinating the event and for the volunteers who made Fishing for Kids day a huge success. Lastly, thanks to Jeff Greep for cooking up the fish – it was delicious!
Carp Harvesting
Our Lake Community will sponsor an annual Carp Harvesting Contest. As you may be aware, an overabundance of carp can devastate the diversity of the lakes’ fish population. Left unabated, carp could eventually be the lone substantive species surviving in the lake. Thus, we started the carp harvesting initiative to protect our bass and panfish populations.
Since we began harvesting in 2017, we have eliminated over 130 carp from our lakes. Carp harvesting is a spring activity, and we welcome your participation. You may contact Rick Applegate if you wish to join in the carp hunt in 2022.
Our goal is to minimize the expense of fish stocking. It is far better for the fish, and more economical, for them to reproduce in their natural environment. The best way to achieve this objective is to provide a healthy lake with a minimum number of carp destroying fish beds.
Sustainable Lake Management
Please take a look at this article to find out more about one of our most common species, the bluegill. https://blog.nature.org/science/2015/10/15/why-everything-you-know-bluegill-management-wrong-fish-fisheries-panfish-fishing/
Protective Grate
This has been installed to help protect our lake from trash fish from Lake LeAnn.
Current Agenda
- Continue to harvest carp.
- Respect Spawning Grounds: COMMON SENSE AND RESPONSIBLE FISHING PRACTICES allow us to sustain good numbers and enjoy a meal. Suggestions include:
- Do not overfish an individual spawning ground. Keep moving!
- Some have transitioned to barbless hooks during the spring season when fish are actively spawning and feeding aggressive.
- When a fish swallows a hook, remove the hook if throwing the fish back into the lake. Our eagles are hunting injured fish and could be killed by hooks left in a fish.
Crystal and Perch Lake Game Fish and Invasive Fish
Seasons and minimum size information based on 2019 Michigan Fishing Regulations. For additional regulations, refer to Michigan’s 2019 Fishing Guide. Good fishing etiquette and sportsmanship is encouraged for Crystal / Perch Lake residents and their guests. Please encourage friends, family, and visitors to respect our private valuable lake resources.
The Crystal Lake Perch Lake Fisheries Guidelines was created in 2021 and distributed around the lakes. This resource can be used to educate your guests.
Recommendations are suggested to conserve, protect and manage our lake habitat for all lake residents to enjoy. Share the joys of fishing with youngsters, after all they are the future of fishing.
HAPPY FISHING!!!!!
Panfish
Season – Open all year. No minimum size required.
Michigan daily limit – bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redear sunfish, and crappie (25 in any combination). Recommended limit KEEP ONLY WHAT YOU CAN CLEAN AND EAT.
Northern Pike
Season – Last Saturday in April – March 15. Size requirement 24” minimum.
Michigan daily limit 2 per day. Recommended limit 1 per day.
Yellow Perch
Season – Open all year. No minimum size required.
Michigan daily limit 50 per day. Recommended limit KEEP ONLY WHAT YOU CAN CLEAN AND EAT.
Walleye
Season – Last Saturday in April – March 15. Size requirement 15” minimum.
Michigan daily limit 5 per day. Recommended limit 1 per day.
Small Mouth Bass & Large Mouth Bass
Season Saturday before Memorial Day – December 31. Size requirement 14” minimum.
Michigan daily limit 5 per day. Recommended catch & release.
Blue Channel Catfish (Perch Lake only)
Season – Open all year. Size requirements 12” minimum.
Michigan daily limit 10 per day. Recommended limit catch & release at this time.
Carp
Season – Open all year. Carp destroy fish breeding grounds and eat their eggs.
RECOMMENDED TO REMOVE FROM LAKES
Brown Bullhead
Season – Open all year. Bullheads feed in fish breeding grounds and eat their eggs.
RECOMMENDED TO REMOVE FROM LAKES