Middle Cullen Lake

How big is Middle Cullen Lake?

How deep is Middle Cullen Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Middle Cullen Lake?

What are the closest cities to Middle Cullen Lake?

Are there boat launches on Middle Cullen Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Middle Cullen Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Middle Cullen Lake?

Middle Cullen Lake is a 397 acre lake located in west-central Crow Wing County, just north of the City of Nisswa. It has a maximum depth of 48 feet with a secchi disc reading of 16 feet. Northern pike and walleyes are the primary management species while largemouth bass is the secondary management species. Spring electrofishing for bass was conducted on May 21, 2015 with gill and trap nets set during the week of July 13, 2015.

The northern pike catch rate for this survey was 8.4/ gill net. This is the historical high catch for Middle Cullen Lake. The average catch rate for lakes similar to Middle Cullen is 5.0/ gill net. The average size of northern pike during this survey was 24.2" with fish as large as 37.8" sampled. Nearly 41 percent were 24" or larger while 9 percent were 30" or larger. Growth was above average for these fish. This is most likely due to the high population of tullibees, which are a high-fat and protein rich forage species that northern pike prey upon. In order to maintain and improve the northern pike size distribution, anglers are encouraged to harvest the smaller fish while releasing some of the larger fish.

The catch rate for walleye was 1.0/ gill net. Previous catch rates have ranged from 0.0/ gill net to 3.5/ gill net. The average size was 19.5" with fish up to 25.5" sampled. A total of 127 pounds of walleye fingerlings are stocked in Middle Cullen every 3 years. When aged, all but 1 walleye sampled in 2015 came from a stocked year class. There is also likely some fish movement coming up from the Gull Chain as well. Growth was above average for walleye, again, most likely due to the high population of tullibees which are an excellent forage species.

Largemouth bass electrofishing produced a catch rate of 58/hr. The average size was 12.3" with fish up to 16.8" sampled. Nearly 57 percent were 12" or larger. Smallmouth bass were also sampled for the first time in Middle Cullen. A 13.7" smallmouth was sampled during electrofishing while an 18.8" fish was sampled during the standard survey.

The black crappie catch rate was 1.0/ trap net, which is average for lakes like Middle Cullen. The average size was 8.2" with as large as 9.3" sampled. Fifty percent were 8" or larger. The growth of these fish was slightly above normal compared to other lakes similar to Middle Cullen.

Bluegill catch rate was 9.6/ trap net, which is the historical low for Middle Cullen. Past catches have been as high as 97.6/ trap net. Fish tended to be small with the average size of bluegill measuring only 4.6". The largest fish measured 7.3" and only 12 percent measured 6" or larger.

Tullibees were sampled at a catch rate of 17.6/ gill net. This is the highest catch rate since 1993 when they were sampled at a rate of 37.0/ gill net. Anglers would be able to target them as the average size was 11.9" with fish up to 19.0" sampled. Two size groups (7-9" and 12-16") each accounted for nearly 50 percent of the total sample.

Other fish species sampled include bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

What is the average air temp for Middle Cullen Lake?

Are there any state parks near Middle Cullen Lake?