Round Lake

How big is Round Lake?

How deep is Round Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Round Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Round Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Round Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Round Lake

Are there boat launches on Round Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Round Lake?

Round Lake is located about three miles northwest of McGregor with a public access located on the southeast side of the lake. This scenic lake is 186 acres in size and has only six cabins and a summer camp located on the lake. The shoreline is lightly developed and has a firm sand bottom ringed primarily by bulrush, which provides spawning habitat for perch, as well as nesting bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish and black crappies. Coarse woody habitat is also prevelant along the shoreline, adding to the diversity of habitat. Lake shore owners are encouraged to protect both of these beneficial nearshore habitats, which promote healthy fish communities. Round lake is being managed primarily for walleye and bluegill and secondarily for northern pike and black crappie.

Walleye occur naturally in Round Lake, but abundance has been below average for this lake type in most surveys to date, including 2015. The walleye catch rate was 0.5/gill net with an average size of 18 inches and 2.5 pounds, which was below the management goal of 3/gill net. Walleye fingerlings are stocked at a rate of 130 lbs/littoral acre in even years and have been since 2010. Only two of the eight walleyes sampled in all gears were from a stocked year class.

Northern pike abundance has remained stable at low levels over the past seven surveys, dating back to 1973, and remained low in 2015. The size structure of pike has been improving with more fish observed over 24 inches in this survey than any previous survey. Anglers can help maintain and improve the health of the fishery in Round Lake by harvesting smaller pike, and releasing the larger ones.

Overall the fish community in Round Lake has remained stable and healthy over the years. The abundance of bluegill and black crappie are normal for this type of lake. The size structure of the panfish in Round Lake has always been favorable and remained so in 2015. Anglers can also find some decent pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish as well.

Round Lake is unique in that it has a population of a coldwater species called tullibee or cisco. In the past, tullibee numbers have been above average in this lake, and peaked at over 18 per gill net lift in the early 1990's. However, tullibee numbers have continually decreased over the years and are now at 3.8 per gill net, which is still near the average for this lake class. Tullibee populations are known to be particularly sensitive to environmental changes, which may have played a role in their decreasing abundance. When available, tullibees often provide an excellent source of forage for game fish, especially northern pike and walleye, allowing them to reach large sizes.

Yellow perch serve a dual purpose, both as another important forage species for pike in Round Lake, and at the same time having positive effects on bluegill populations. Densities of yellow perch were within the normal range for this lake type and near the long term median for Round Lake.

Round Lake is not known as a bass lake. In fact, only 1 largemouth bass had ever been captured in standard population assessments dating back to 1973. However, in the 2011 spring special assessment, 31 bass were captured in the electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 11 to 18 inches and were of a variety of ages indicating that successful recruitment was occurring regularly, and that bass are another species that may be targeted by anglers at Round Lake

Other species in the fish observed in this survey included white sucker, brown and yellow bullheads, bowfin, and rock bass.

What is the average air temp for Round Lake?

Are there any state parks near Round Lake?