Fish Consumption Advisory
No fish consumption information is available for this lake. For more information, see the "Fish Consumption Advice" pages at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Status of the Fishery (as of 09/12/2006)
Analyses of the fall 2006 gill net sample indicate that walleye from 10 year classes were sampled. The oldest fish were from the 1996 year class (age 10+). Approximately 25% of walleye sampled were from the 1999 year class, while the 2001 year class made up approximately 30% of the gill net sample. The 1999 and 2001 year classes have now produced many mature females which have contributed significantly to natural reproduction in 2004, 2005, and 2006. The 2003 year class contributed 13% of the catch, and another 2% was made up of fish from the moderate 1996 and 1997 year classes (ages 10+ and 9+, respectively). Approximately 25% of the walleye sample consisted of fish younger than age-3. These fish are the result of recent natural reproduction.
Walleye gill net catch-per-effort (CPE) was 40.1 fish per net, which is similar to those recorded in the previous four years. The 2006 walleye catch in pounds was 41.1 per gill net, also similar to catches from 2002-2005. It appears that overall walleye density has peaked, as indicated by catch rates that have leveled off and gradual declines in the rates of growth and maturity.
The black crappie gill net catch rate was below the long-term median, and it continues to follow a gradual decline from an all-time high recorded in 1996. Over the past 10 years, age analyses indicate that a single strong year class produced in 1995 has dominated the population. To date, none of the younger age groups have been very abundant compared to the 1995 year class. Eventually, the black crappie population will return to historic levels.
Northern pike CPE was 1.3 fish per gill net in 2006, slightly below the long-term median of 1.9 fish/net. The average size of fish caught in gill nets decreased slightly, reflecting the presence of a number of younger (age-1 and age-2) fish in the sample. Although overall northern pike size structure may continue to improve, this trend will be difficult to document due to problems associated with sampling large fish in standard experimental gill nets.
CPE of lake whitefish was low at 0.1 fish per gill net lift. The relative abundance of lake whitefish has declined from previously high levels following a significant summer kill in 2001.
Approximately 38% of all yellow perch caught in gill nets were between eight and nine inches in length, and about 58% were greater than nine inches long. There were very few yellow perch in the sample that were younger than age-7, likely the result of heavy predation of juvenile perch by walleye.