Little Cormorant Lake

How big is Little Cormorant Lake?

How deep is Little Cormorant Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Little Cormorant Lake?

What are the closest cities to Little Cormorant Lake?

Are there boat launches on Little Cormorant Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Little Cormorant Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Little Cormorant Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Little Cormorant Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

Little Cormorant is a popular fishing lake that provides good, all-around angling between very infrequent winterkills. A combination of factors including high water levels, mild winters, and lake aeration by the Cormorant Lake Sportsmen's Club have helped to prevent severe winterkill for the past 27 years.

Walleye is one of several species benefiting from higher dissolved oxygen levels during recent winters. Very little walleye spawning habitat exists in Little Cormorant Lake and the modest walleye fishery is maintained primarily by biennial fry stocking. Walleyes found during the 2012 fish population assessment were very nice, on average, with an average length of 20 inches and an average weight of nearly three pounds.

Other popular species including bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, and northern pike were stocked after the most recent moderate to severe winterkills (1977 and 1986). These species have an abundance of preferred spawning habitat in the lake and populations have sustained themselves. Pike were again abundant in 2012 and the average size increased to 23 inches (about 2.7 pounds) with a couple over 30 inches. In 2012, sampled bluegills were smaller, younger, and more abundant than they were ten years ago with an average length of 5.9 inches. Black crappies and largemouth bass were not abundant, but were present.

Net catches of yellow perch increased slightly since the 2007 assessment. This species has been a popular angling target in Little Cormorant and also an important forage fish for predators like walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass. Perch up to 11 inches in length were sampled in test nets in the past, but none over 9.5 inches were found in 2012.

Special fishing regulations went into effect in 2008 for crappie (10-inch minimum, bag limit of five); for sunfish (bag limit of five); and for walleye (17-inch minimum). Though it is far too soon to evaluate, it is hoped that these regulations will eventually result in more fishing opportunities for larger fish in Little Cormorant. Though there is no special regulation for northern pike in place, anglers are encouraged to release pike over 24 inches in length and keep more small fish for eating. Lakes that regularly winterkill do not generally make good candidates for special fishing regulations because winterkill can eliminate the fish that regulations attempt to increase. However as stated above, Little Cormorant has not experienced winterkill for well over twenty years.

Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency (PCA) classifies Little Cormorant as eutrophic. Lakes in the early stages of eutrophy are generally very productive fish lakes but may also be subject to algal blooms and winterkills. Lakeshore and watershed property owners are strongly encouraged to use the best land management practices available to slow down eutrophication (aging) of the lake. These practices include (1) exceeding setbacks for structures and septic systems, (2) leaving buffer strips of natural vegetation along the shoreline, (3) leaving aquatic vegetation stands (especially bulrush and cattail) intact, (4) and not fertilizing lawns or using phosphorus free fertilizers.

What is the average air temp for Little Cormorant Lake?

Are there any state parks near Little Cormorant Lake?