Lake

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Are there boat launches on Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake?

Marsh Lake is an impoundment of the Minnesota River approximately three miles southwest of Appleton. The lake was created in the 1930's by construction of a dam on the Minnesota River near the outlet of the Pomme de Terre River. Marsh Lake measures 4,500 acres and has a maximum depth of 5 feet. It frequently suffers from high turbidity due to wave action mixing up its silty bottom. Although the lake is shallow and nutrient rich, it rarely experiences winterkill likely due to the "fresh" water that flows through it from the Minnesota and Pomme de Terre Rivers, and Five Mile Creek.

Good fishing for Walleye and Northern Pike frequently occurs on the lake, but it has primarily been limited to ice fishing because numerous boulders and shallow reefs make boating somewhat treacherous, and shallow depths at the boat ramps limit the size of boats that can be launched. A substantial amount of open water fishing occurs just upstream of the lake on the Minnesota River and at the culverts on the Louisburg grade road. There is a boat access by the Minnesota River bridge on the grade road. The bridge and culverts are popular shore angling locations and fishing can be very good when flows are sufficient.

Moderate numbers of Walleye were present in 2015. While many were 15 inches or less, there were still larger fish present. Natural reproduction and stocking contribute to the Walleye population. The two strongest Walleye year classes that have occurred (2001 and 2011) were produced by natural reproduction.

The Northern Pike population can be quite variable and is largely dependent on suitable spring spawning conditions. In 2015, pike numbers were moderate. Several pike over 30 inches were sampled, with the largest measuring 38 inches.

Additional species that may provide angling opportunities include Channel Catfish, Black Bullhead, Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, and White Bass.

The Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration project will be constructed during 2016 and 2017. The project is the culmination of years of stakeholder meetings and planning. Stakeholders included the general public, non-profit environmental organizations, area businesses and government agencies. Project construction management will be handled by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The project goals are to improve fish and wildlife habitat throughout Marsh Lake and adjacent habitats. Major project features include converting the dam to a rapids, a new control structure to allow for occasional drawdowns of Marsh Lake, and restoration of the Pomme de Terre River to its historic channel. Anticipated outcomes of the project include improved water quality, increased abundances of desirable aquatic plants, increased fish and wildlife populations, and improved recreational use.

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