Lime Lake
Introduction
Lime Lake is a 154-acre impoundment created by damming three natural, spring-fed ponds. Public access is provided by a hand launch intended only for small boats that can be carried to the water. The lake provides angling for largemouth bass, tiger muskellunge, walleye and several species of panfish.
Anglers should note that the lake experiences oxygen depletion below the depth of 20 feet from June-September. During the summer months, the lake receives heavy recreational boat traffic, so many anglers prefer to fish early and late in the day.
Panfish
Lime Lake provides fishing for several species of panfish, and because they are very abundant, their growth rates are slow. The most common species are yellow perch, bluegill and pumpkinseed. Black crappie, rock bass and brown bullhead are also found in lower numbers. Live baits such as worms and minnows produce well, as do jigs and small lures.
In the springtime when sunfish are on their spawning beds, try using an 8 foot, 3-4 weight fly rod with surface poppers or wet flies for some fast action.
Largemouth Bass
Lime Lake provides good fishing for largemouth bass. Because they are abundant, the bass are slow growing and do not reach 12 inches until age seven, on average. Many bass over 10 years old are available to anglers. Some of these bass are in the 15 - 20 inch range.
Bass anglers should concentrate their efforts along the edges of weed beds and near docks and other structure. Dense beds of aquatic vegetation provide cover for predator and prey alike. When the lake was originally created, numerous large tree stumps were left on the bottom. Locating these stumps should provide angling locations for bass and panfish. Bass anglers have success with spinner baits, surface plugs, plastic worms, crank baits and live baits such as crayfish and shiners.
Walleye and Tiger Muskie
Walleye have been stocked in Lime Lake from 1991 through 2004. They were stocked as fingerlings and usually reach legal size (18 inches) by age 6. To give the walleye population a chance to increase, the walleye are regulated by an 18 inch minimum size limit and 3 fish/day creel limit. When fishing for walleye, try casting floating minnow imitations or jigs tipped with bait into shallow, weedy areas at night. Also, try trolling with a minnow imitation or a worm harness along the edges of weed beds.
Tiger muskies, a hybrid cross between a female muskellunge and a male northern pike, have been stocked in Lime Lake since 1973. These fish are stocked as fall fingerlings and after several years in the lake can reach 30 - 45 inches. The tiger muskies are not abundant, but they do provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a truly trophy size fish.
