Cowdry Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in Cowdry Lake?

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What aquatic invasive species are found in Cowdry Lake?

Lake Cowdry is a 243-acre lake located approximately 3 miles west of Alexandria. Maximum depth exceeds 50.0 feet. Average depth is 25.0 feet. Water quality proved to be very good at the time of the late-July survey. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations, measures of system productivity, were below expectations for lakes located within the North Central Hardwood Forest ecoregion. Water clarity is very good (17.0 feet) and improving. Thermal stratification occurs in summer months and can influence gamefish habitat use and system stability. For example, levels of dissolved oxygen were too low beyond 25.0 feet in depth in late July to sustain gamefishes.

Lakeshore development is heavy and comprised of year-round homes, seasonal cabins, and one resort. Important fish habitats (e.g., emergent macrophytes, woody debris) are rare along the shoreline. Lake Cowdry does support a diverse submergent plant community on gravel, sand, and marl bottom soils. In response to excellent sunlight penetration, submerged plant growth has been documented at a depth of 16.0 feet. The lake's habitat characteristics are well suited for sunfishes, largemouth bass, and northern pike.

Standardized fish surveys are conducted on Lake Cowdry every five years. Catch statistics from the 2013 survey continue to describe an abundant northern pike population. Gillnet catches consistently approach 10.0 fish/net. Most northern pike captured were small, averaging 20.6 inches and 2.0 pounds. The largest pike sampled during the survey measured 31.7 inches.

Panfishes such as bluegill sunfish, black crappie, and largemouth bass support an active and popular fishery. Population abundance estimates have varied among past surveys in response to annual reproductive and recruitment inconsistencies. Despite a decline in catch rate in 2013, largemouth bass remained moderately abundant. Bass captured in 2013 averaged 13.6 inches in length. Warm water temperatures in late-July drove bluegills and black crappie into deep, cool habitats resulting in lower trapnet catch rates in 2013. Elevated catches in gillnets provided evidence that sunfishes remain moderately abundant in the system. Bluegill collected in gillnets averaged 6.4 inches. Two relatively strong year classes of black crappies were detected. Length at capture varied from 5.4 to 11.1 inches.

Walleye fingerlings, yearlings, and some adults are stocked to sustain a fishery. A low gillnet catch rate of 2.7-fish/net describes a low density population. Walleyes are not abundant, but they are long-lived and can grow to memorable sizes. The largest sampled in 2013 measured 27.3 inches.

Other fishes captured during the 2013 survey included pumpkinseed sunfish; rock bass; hybrid sunfishes; yellow perch; brown, yellow, and black bullheads; bowfin; white suckers; shorthead redhorse; and common carp. Tullibee were not captured in 2013. Catch rates among surveys describe a gradual decline in tullibee population abundance. Whether a response of climate change or other environmental stressors, Lake Cowdry may no longer provide necessary refuges (i.e., deep, cool, highly oxygenated habitats) for persistence of this coldwater fish species.

Notes:
Lake Cowdry is part of the extended Alexandria Chain of Lakes due to its connection to Lake Darling. Unlike the primary lakes comprising the Alexandria Chain, navigation between Lake Cowdry and Lake Darling is difficult and limited to small watercraft. A state-owned public access is located on the southeast shoreline.

Zebra mussels were found in Lake Cowdry in 2011. Minnesota statutes require all equipment be free of invasive species prior to leaving any access. Consult your current fishing regulations handbook for rules and regulations pertaining to the cleaning of equipment.

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