Lone Star Lake might be the place to go for bass fishermen this year.

“Overall, the bass fishery looks very strong,” said Richard Sanders, area fisheries biologist for Wildlife and Parks.

Sanders bases his assessment on samplings taken last year with nets and electrofishing gear.

“Catch rates of juvenile and adult largemouth bass de-creased in 2003, compared to record levels observed in 2002,” Sanders said. “However, rates for 2003 were still high.”

Sampled bass ranged from eight to 21 inches. The heaviest weighed 5.5 pounds, and two- to three-pound fish were fairly common.

“Body condition was good,” Sanders said, “as it usually is at this lake.”

Sanders was a bit surprised he didn’t capture many bluegill with his trap nets.

“That may be due to net avoidance, a by-product of improved water clarity,” he said.

The bluegill he did sample were small, measuring less than six inches and they were in poor condition so fishing for bluegill, a popular pastime of worm-and-bobber fishermen, should be poor.

Sanders also noted low crappie numbers.

“That may be a result of increased predation by higher numbers of largemouth bass and wiper, or by net avoidance,” he said. “In addition, gizzard shad production may have been limiting due to reduced nutrient flow into the lake due to drought.”

Numbers were low, but the size was excellent — some exceeded 12 inches in length — so Sanders is listing Lone Star Lake crappie fishing as potentially fair in 2004.

Sampling also showed channel catfish are on the upswing at Lone Star thanks to enhanced stocking efforts that began in 2001.

“Channel catfish body condition was good,” Sanders said. “The outlook for catfish anglers is good.”

Wildlife and Parks also stocked wiper in Lone Star during 2002 and 2003, and Sanders is optimistic.

“Based upon 2003 data, recent stockings have been successful,” he said. “A record number of wipers were netted. Most were young fish in the 12- to 15-inch range, but a few larger fish over 24 inches and weighing over six pounds were observed.”

Lone Star Lake is owned and operated by Douglas County. Those wishing to fish at the lake need to check with the county to obtain fishing and boating permits. A state fishing license is required in addition to county permits.

Also, special fishing regulations, such as the 18-inch minimum length limits on largemouth bass and wiper, are in effect.