Fishing

All three species of black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) are available in Hungry Mother Lake. Largemouth are the dominant bass species and spotted bass, which first appeared in the 1995 sample collection, are now a close second. There are not very many smallmouths in Hungry Mother Lake, but there are some large ones in the 18 to 20-inch ranges.

Hungry Mother also offers a very good opportunity to fish for walleyes in a small lake setting. The best time to catch walleyes at Hungry Mother is during the months of April, May and June at night. Alewives, the primary forage fish, move shallow to spawn. Walleyes feed heavily on the spawning alewives, and this can create some very exciting fishing.

Crappie fishing can be good at Hungry Mother. In late spring some really nice crappie are caught near shoreline brush. At night during the summer, anglers catch big numbers of small crappie (less than 8 inches) under lanterns and floating lights.

This lake also offers anglers a chance to catch a trophy muskie. Annual stockings maintain good numbers of fish in the population. Some trophy fish are landed each year. Biologists have collected muskies in excess of 48 inches total length.

Channel catfish fishing has been very good the last couple of years. The Department’s new catfish stocking protocol has resulted in much better survival of stocked fish. Anglers are catching catfish by a variety of methods, but night fishing in the glow of lantern light seems to be most popular technique. Nightcrawlers, chicken livers and prepared baits are all productive offerings.

Biologist Reports

• 2022 Hungry Mother Lake Fisheries Management Report
• 2019 Hungry Mother Lake Fisheries Management Report
• 2013 Hungry Mother Lake Angler Survey Report