Big Lake

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Big Lake

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Big is a 507-acre lake with 440 (87%) acres of littoral area maximum depth of 25 feet. The lake is located one mile north of Sawyer, MN off County Road #112. A DNR administered, concrete, back-in access is located off County Road #112. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked in eleven years from 1989 through 2013. Big Lake is currently stocked only in years with surplus walleye production. Big Lake was sampled in 2013 to help evaluate walleye management and update information on the fish population.

Walleye abundance of 0.0 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type and down from 2004 (0.9). Prior to this assessment, walleye gillnet catch rates from eight investigations since 1956 had ranged from 0.9 to 4.7 per lift. One mature individual measuring 23.4 inches was captured in the trapnets. The specimen was aged to the 2004 year-class, corresponding to a year when 31,904 fingerlings were stocked. Not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. The high abundance of other top level predators (northern pike, largemouth bass) may be limiting the success of the walleye stocking program.

Largemouth bass abundance of 104.0 per hour of electrofishing was considered above average compared to other Duluth Area lakes and was considerably higher than 2004 (18.1 per hour). Average size of 15.0 inches was large and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area populations. Twenty-five percent of the sample captured was greater than 16 inches in length. Age distribution revealed consistent recruitment and relatively strong 2004, 2006 and 2007 year-classes. Ten year-classes were represented from 2002 through 2011.

Northern pike abundance of 11.4 per gillnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type but down from 2004 (16.3 per lift). Average size of 20.4 inches was small and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. However, quality sized northern pike are available with several captured over 35 inches. Age analysis revealed a strong 2005 year-class and nine year-classes represented from 2004 through 2012.

Bluegill abundance of 6.8 per trapnet lift was considered average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 4.7 inches was small and growth was slow compared to Duluth Area lakes. Age analysis revealed strong 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005 year-classes with eight year-classes represented from 2002 through 2010.

Yellow perch abundance of 5.9 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size for yellow perch of 6.9 inches was small.

Black crappie abundance of 2.3 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type and average size was 7.4 inches. Black crappie abundance has been steadily decreasing over the last four investigations.

Other fish species sampled during the assessment included black bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish and white sucker.

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