Sleepy Eye Lake

How big is Sleepy Eye Lake?

How deep is Sleepy Eye Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Sleepy Eye Lake?

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Sleepy Eye Lake

Are there boat launches on Sleepy Eye Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Sleepy Eye Lake?

A standard survey (gill netting, trap netting, and spring night-time electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass) was conducted at Sleepy Eye Lake in 2016 to monitor the Lake's fish population. A total of 9 species were sampled, plus Hybrid Sunfish. On 6/20/16, the lake was not mixed with oxygen dropping below 2 mg/l in 17' of water, limiting fish usage of deeper water. Water clarity was marginal, with a secchi disk reading of 4.6' due to an algae bloom. Sleepy Eye was reclaimed with rotenone in 1993 and a significant recreational fishery has been present ever since. An aeration system was operated during severe winters at Sleepy Eye. Curlyleaf Pondweed, an invasive aquatic plant, can be abundant in May and June at Sleepy Eye Lake, but usually dies back by July. Campsites and a fishing pier were available on the north end of the lake.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (8) Walleye for a catch rate of 1.3/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Sleepy Eye. The 2011 catch rate was also 1.3/net. Historical catch rates (n=18) from 1983 to 2016 were mostly low ranging from 0.0 to 1.3/net with an average of 0.2. The current stocking regime (305 pounds of fall yearlings - one in three years) was initiated in 2012. The reason for stocking larger fall yearlings, instead of the typical fall fingerlings, was to reduce predation by the lake's abundant predators (Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass). In 2016, Walleye were 14.7 to 21.7 inches long with an average of 18.3. Trap nets sampled Walleye up to 25.2 inches in length. Walleye (gill and trap netted) were age-2 to age-8 with four year classes being present. Approximately 75% of the gill net aged Walleye matched up with stocked year classes. Growth was fast.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (54) of Northern Pike for a catch rate of 9.0/net, which was within the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye. The 2011 catch rate was 2.5/net. Catch rates from 1983 to 2016 (n=18) were variable ranging from 0.5 to26.5/net with an average of 7.6, indicating moderate recruitment (>5/net and <10/net) most years. Catch rates from 1994 to 2016 (n=14) ranged from 0.5 to 26.5/net with an average of 9.1. In 2016, gill netted Northern Pike were 17.8 to35.9 inches long with an average of 23.3. Approximately 70% of the gill net catch was 21 inches or longer, while 7% were 28 inches or longer, indicating a quality size structure. Northern Pike were age-2 to age-7 years old with five year classes present. The current Northern Pike fry stocking regime was 50,000 fry - annually. The only year that Northern Pike fry were not stocked, from 2009 to 2016, was 2013, due to a shortage that spring. Approximately 24% of the gill net aged fish were age-3 (2013 year class), indicating that natural reproduction was occurring. The contributions from stocked fry and natural reproduction, during stocked years, was unknown. Growth was moderate.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (86) of Yellow Perch for a catch rate of 14.3/net, which was within the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye . The 2011 catch rate was 7.3/net. Catch rates from 1983 to 2016 (n=18) were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 139.5/net with an average of 35.6. Catch rates from 1994 to 2016 (n=14) were also highly variable ranging from 1.5 to 139.5/net with an average of 41.9. Gill netted Yellow Perch were 5.4 to 9.0 inches long with an average of 6.7. Approximately 6% of the catch was 8 inches or longer, indicating a poor size structure, as far as anglers would be concerned. Yellow Perch were likely an important forage item for many fish species at Sleepy Eye Lake.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (75) of Black Crappie for a catch rate of 12.5/net, which was within the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye. The 2011 catch rate was much higher (34.0/net). Gill net catch rates from 1983 to 2016 (n=18) were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 71.3/net with an average of 12.7. Catch rates from 1994 to 2016 ranged from 0.0 to 34.0/net with an average of 8.9. In 2016, gill netted Black Crappie were 4.6 to 9.2 inches long with an average of 6.1. Approximately 5% of the gill net catch was 8 inches or longer, indicating a poor size structure. Trap nets sampled low numbers (40) of Black Crappie for a catch rate of 4.4/net, which was within the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye. The 2011 trap net catch rate was 9.8/net. Trap net catch rates from 1983 to 2016 (n=18) were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 169.8/net with an average of 13.6. Catch rates from 1994 to 2016 (n=14) ranged from 0.0 to 13.6/net with an average of 3.8. Trap netted Black Crappie were 4.9 to 9.7 inches long with an average of 6.8. In 2016, Black Crappie were estimated to be age-2 to age-9 with seven year classes present. Age-2 and age-7 fish accounted for 49% and 38% of the gill net sample, respectively. Those two year classes could be considered to be moderate in size, while all others were weak. Growth was slow.

Trap nets sampled high numbers (421) of Bluegill for a catch rate of 46.8/net, which was within the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye. The 2011 catch rate was 53.0/net. Catch rates from 1983 to 2016 (n=18) were highly variable ranging from 4.5 to 125.5/net with an average of 36.3. Catch rates from 1994 to 2016 (n=14) ranged from 14.9 to 71.7/net with an average of 35.5. In 2016, trap netted Bluegill were 3.5 to 8.6 inches long with an average of 6.2. Approximately 75% of the trap net catch was 6 inches or longer while 5% were 7 inches or longer. In 2016, trap netted Bluegill were age-3 to age-10 years old with eight year classes present. Age-7 fish made up the bulk (72%) of the trap net aged fish. Growth was slow, due to the high numbers of fish present.

Spring night-time electrofishing sampled high numbers (57) Largemouth Bass for a catch rate of 56.0/hr. This was the third time that electrofishing was used to sample Largemouth Bass at Sleepy Eye Lake. The catch rates in 2006 and 2011 were 91.4/hr. and 56.0/hr., respectively. Electrofished Largemouth Bass were 4.9 to 19.7 inches long with an average of 11.3. Approximately 37% of the catch was 12 inches or longer while 23% were 15 inches or longer. The catch rate and the size distribution indicated that a quality population was present. Fish were age-1 to age-11 with eleven year classes being present, indicating somewhat consistent recruitment. Growth was moderate.

Gill nets sampled 1 Channel Catfish for a catch rate of 0.2/net. Historical catch rates (n=16) from 1983 to 2016 were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 2.0/net with an average of 0.2. The Channel Catfish was 29.1 inches long. Channel Catfish fingerlings were last stocked in 2008.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (30) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 5.0/net, which was below the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye and the lowest measured in the last 21 years at Sleepy Eye. The 2011 gill net catch rate was much higher (43.2/net). Historic catch rates from 1983 to 2016 were mostly high ranging from 0.0 to 235.0/net with an average of 87.8. In 2016, gill netted Black Bullhead were 6.8 to 12.9 inches long with an average of 9.3. Trap nets also sampled low numbers (29) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 3.2/net, which was within the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye and was the lowest since the 1996 assessment (2.3/net). Trap nets sampled fish up to 13.9 inches in length.

Gill nets did not sample any Common Carp in 2016. Trap nets sampled low numbers (2) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 0.2/net which was below the normal range for similar to Sleepy Eye . Common Carp were not netted (gill or trap nets) in 2011, and had not been sampled since 1992 (pre-reclamation). In 2016, the Common Carp were 24.0 and 28.1 inches long. It was unknown how this species got back into the lake, particularly at large adult sizes.

Are there any state parks near Sleepy Eye Lake?