Duck Lake

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Duck Lake

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Introduction
Duck Lake is a 290 acre lake located in Blue Earth county on the north side of the city of Madison Lake. The maximum depth of the lake is 25 feet and most of the lake (231 acres) is classified as littoral area. A county-maintained public access is located on the south end of the lake near the county park. Most of the shoreline of Duck Lake has been altered with residential development, with a disturbed riparian zone surrounding most of the lake. Diverse aquatic vegetation, including white-stem pondweed, Northern watermilfoil, clasping-leaf pondweed, coontail, and white water lily, provides valuable habitat for fish. Duck Lake is classified in Lake Class 38 based on limnological variables and lake characteristics. Other lakes in this classification include Bass Lake (Faribault County), Rays Lake (Le Sueur County), and Greenleaf Lake (Le Sueur County). Duck Lake is managed primarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Northern Pike and secondarily for Largemouth Bass. The base stocking plan for Duck Lake includes stocking Northern Pike fry annually. Northern Pike fingerlings are also stocked annually as part of a DNR research project.

Duck Lake was surveyed the week of June 13, 2016 by the MN DNR as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program. This survey included deploying 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Duck Lake is scheduled to be surveyed again in 2019.

Northern Pike
Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 5.7 fish/net, which is near the long-term average for Duck Lake (5.4 fish/net). Northern Pike were also sampled in trap nets at a rate of 1.2 fish/net. The size structure of Northern Pike was very desirable. The total lengths of fish from both gear types ranged from 14.6 to 37.3 inches and averaged 25.2 inches. Most of the fish (71%) were 21.0 inches or longer. The average length at capture was 16.2 inches at age-1, 21.7 inches at age-2, 22.3 inches at age-3, 30.0 inches at age-4, 32.6 inches at age-5, and 34.9 inches at age-6. These fast growth rates are typical of most Northern Pike populations in southern Minnesota. Northern Pike fry will continue to be stocked annually into a drainable wetland adjacent to the lake. Fingerlings will be stocked directly into the lake annually or when available as part of an ongoing research study.

Crappie Species
Duck Lake is home to two species of Crappie, the Black Crappie and the White Crappie. The 2 species of crappies look similar, but certain characteristics can tell them apart. Black Crappies are generally darker overall and typically have 7 or 8 dorsal spines. White Crappies have silver sides with light black vertical barring and typically has 5 or 6 dorsal spines. Black Crappies are more widely distributed throughout Minnesota and are typically found in deeper, clearer waters than White Crappies. Black Crappies were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 35.7 fish/net, which was above the long-term average for Duck Lake (12.2 fish/net). Black Crappies were also sampled in trap nets at a rate of 9.6 fish/net, which met the long-term average. The total lengths of Black Crappies from both gear types ranged from 4.5 to 12.7 inches and averaged 6.8 inches. Only 21% of the fish in the survey were 8.0 inches or greater, suggesting a poor size structure. The average length at capture of Black Crappie was 4.5 inches at age-1, 6.1 inches at age-2, 7.9 inches at age-3, 8.9 inches at age-4, and 9.0 inches at age-5.

White Crappies were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 6.5 fish/net, which is slightly lower than the long-term lake average of 8.2 fish/net. This catch rate ranks between the lake class median (3.0 fish/net) and the third quartile (13.0 fish/net). White Crappies were also sampled in trap nets at a rate of 0.4 fish/net. The average length of White Crappies was 7.8 inches and the largest fish was 12.9 inches. The average length at capture was 6.9 inches at age-2, 8.6 inches at age-3, 10.9 inches at age-5, 11.0 inches at age-6, and 12.9 inches at age-7. Like all panfish in Duck Lake, Black and White Crappie persist through natural reproduction.

Bluegill
Bluegills were sampled in 2016 at a rate of 66.0 fish/trap net, which was lower than the long-term average for Duck Lake (78.7 fish/net). However, this catch rate was near that of the previous 2 surveys (71.0 fish/net in 2011, 63.3 fish/net in 2006). Bluegills were also sampled in gill nets at a rate of 1.7 fish/net. Fish from both gear types averaged 7.2 inches and ranged from 2.3 to 8.4 inches. While large Bluegills were lacking in this survey, 81% of the total catch was 7.0 inches or longer. The average length at capture was 2.3 inches at age-1, 4.5 inches at age-2, 5.9 inches at age-3, 6.6 inches at age-4, 7.7 inches at age-7, 7.6 inches at age-8, and 7.8 inches at age-9. The Bluegill population is completely self-sustaining in Duck Lake.

Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in traditional gears (gill and trap nets). As a result, targeted sampling using an electrofishing boat is required to assess the population. Due to time constraints, a targeted survey to assess the Largemouth Bass population was not completed in 2016 and was postponed for 2017. Only 3 Largemouth Bass were sampled in the 2016 netting survey (0.5 fish/gill net). The average length was 13.4 inches. The diverse aquatic vegetation of Duck Lake offer great Largemouth Bass habitat.

Yellow Perch
The Yellow Perch population in Duck Lake has historically maintained a low to moderate abundance. The 2016 Yellow Perch catch rate was 11.8 fish/gill net, which was near the long-term average for Duck Lake (9.9 fish/net). The size structure of Yellow Perch was small, with an average length of 7.2 inches. The largest individual that was sampled was 8.7 inches. Most of the sampled fish were young, as 65% were age-3 or younger. The oldest year class from the survey was age-7, which averaged only 8.4 inches. The average length at capture was 6.0 inches at age-2, 7.0 inches at age-3, 7.7 inches at age-4, and 7.9 inches at age-5. Yellow Perch are not stocked in Duck Lake. Although abundance was low and size structure was small, the presence of Yellow Perch in Duck Lake is important as they function as an important forage species for predators, like Northern Pike.

Other Species
Yellow Bullheads were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 9.2 fish/net and in gill nets at a rate of 2.7 fish/net. The average length of Yellow Bullheads was 12.6 inches. Black Bullheads were also sampled (5.7 fish/gill net) and averaged 7.8 inches. A total of 98 Freshwater Drum, often referred to as sheepshead, were sampled in gill and trap nets and averaged 13.0 inches. Freshwater Drum are a native species that are fun to catch and respectable table fare. Other species sampled in low abundance were Bowfin, also referred to as dogfish, Common Carp, Bigmouth Buffalo, Smallmouth Buffalo, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, and Golden Shiner.

Angling Summary
With high numbers of harvestable-sized Bluegills and Crappies, Duck Lake is a good option for targeting panfish and is a great lake to take children fishing. The large size structure and respectable numbers of Northern Pike make Duck Lake one of the better Pike angling lakes in the area. Although Largemouth Bass were not effectively sampled in this survey, anecdotal reports suggest bass anglers should pay attention to Duck Lake as well.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

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