Strawberry Lake

How big is Strawberry Lake?

How deep is Strawberry Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Strawberry Lake?

What are the closest cities to Strawberry Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Strawberry 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 Strawberry Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Strawberry Lake

Are there boat launches on Strawberry Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Strawberry Lake?

Strawberry Lake has a reputation as a good fishing lake at certain times of the year. Water quality has been relatively good and this was demonstrated by the presence of a tullibee (cisco) population. Cisco is a cold-water fish species requiring well-oxygenated water in the cooler deeper layers in the heat of the summer. Although for the first time since 1991, no cisco were sampled in 2012. Strawberry is also one of the few lakes in the area with a smallmouth bass population. As is the case with most area lakes, Strawberry Lake is undergoing increasing development pressure.

The northern pike gill net catch rate in 2012 was 18.7 per set. This was the highest catch rate for pike since 1971 and they were primarily young with an average size of 17.9 inches or 1.2 pounds. The walleye gill net catch rate in 2012 was 11.7 per gill net, which is higher than what is typically expected for a lake of this ecological type. However, Strawberry Lake has a history of above average walleye gill net catches with a long-term average of 14.3 per set. The walleyes sampled in 2012 had an average length and weight of 16.5 inches and 1.7 pounds. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are both present in relatively good numbers and a wide variety of sizes in Strawberry Lake.

Trap net catches showed an abundant bluegill population. However, the population shows signs of heavy fishing pressure. Few fish over eight inches were present, suggesting anglers are harvesting them as soon as they reach a desirable size. In studies prior to 1986, about one-third of sampled bluegills were longer than 8.0 inches. Since 1986 only about 1.6% of sampled bluegills have been longer than 8.0 inches. Black crappies do not appear nearly as abundant as bluegills, but their size is impressive. The average length of the crappies sampled in 2012 was 11.3 inches.

Other fish species present in Strawberry Lake include: black, brown, and yellow bullhead, green, hybrid, and pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white sucker, and yellow perch. The ratio of black to yellow bullheads can be an indicator of water quality, with a higher yellow to black ratio indicating better water quality. Yellow and black bullhead catch rates both increased in 2012, but black bullheads much more than yellows. In this case the dramatic increase in black bullheads in not believed to be an indicator of declining water quality. Rather, a washed out road near the northeast shore about 10 years ago is thought to have allowed a large influx of black bullheads from Big Rat Lake. How long these fish will affect Strawberry Lake remains to be seen, but in the short term, bullhead numbers are still increasing.

Every effort should be made by lakeshore residents to protect water quality and minimize nutrient input to the lake by using the best watershed and lakeshore management practices available. Removal of emergent aquatic vegetation, particularly bulrushes, should be avoided. Bulrushes are an extremely important feature of the lake ecosystem, both from a water quality and fish habitat standpoint.

What is the average air temp for Strawberry Lake?

Are there any state parks near Strawberry Lake?