Lake Irene

How big is Lake Irene?

How deep is Lake Irene?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Irene?

Are there bait or tackle shops near Lake Irene?

Are there boat launches on Lake Irene?

Lake Irene area businesses:

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Irene?

What are the fishing regulations for Lake Irene?

There are specific fishing regulations Lake Irene that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Irene?

Lake Irene is a 639-acre lake located near the town of Miltona in northeast Douglas County. Lake Irene lies within the Long Prairie River watershed and outflows to Lake Miltona via a non-navigable channel on the south shoreline. Maximum depth of the basin is 44.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 19.8 feet. Ecological productivity is constrained by basin morphology. Only 37% of the surface area is less than 15.0 feet in depth. The lake becomes thermally stratified during summer months. The thermocline was detected below 15.0 feet in depth during the early-August 2014 fish community assessment. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 21.0 feet were insufficient to support fish until fall mixing occurs. Secchi transparency measurements typically exceed 8.0 feet during summer months. Residential development is moderate. Most shoreline development occurs along east and southwest shorelines. Much of the undeveloped western shoreline supports a robust, mixed growth of hardstem bulrush and cattails.

Lake Irene supports a high-quality Walleye fishery sustained by some natural recruitment and regular supplemental stockings by the Lake Irene Association and MN DNR. Walleye catches in 2014 averaged 9.1 fish per gillnet, which is well above expected abundance levels for similar lakes. The population sample included representatives of 10 age classes. Walleye captures ranged from 6.9 to 28.7 inches in length. Average size in 2014 was 14.7 inches and 1.3 pounds. Size distribution measures were strongly influenced by high relative proportion of three-year-old individuals making up the population sample. A very strong year class was established in 2011. Age-3 fish account for 75% of the total gillnet catch. Cohorts of the 2011 year class averaged 14.0 inches at capture. If average growth can be sustained, these fish should approach 16.0 inches in late summer of 2015.

Walleye management efforts are benefitted by low to modest densities of Northern Pike. Most pike captured during the 2014 survey were small. Average length of gillnet captures was 20.6 inches. The largest pike measured was 27.8 inches in length.

Lake Irene lacks an expansive littoral area and extensive vegetated habitat, but does sustain a healthy sunfish community. Bluegill and Black Crappie are moderately abundant and in response, these popular panfishes grow reasonably well. Size structure of both populations was dominated by medium-sized fish in 2014, but with an adequate life span, Bluegill and Black Crappie can grow to memorable sizes. The largest Bluegill captured during the 2014 survey measured 9.9 inches. Two crappies exceeded 13.0 inches in total length. Spring electrofishing catches in 2014 described an abundant Largemouth Bass population. Age distribution of bass captures extended to age 15. The bass population offers quality fishing opportunities due to a relatively high proportion of older fish in the lake. Over half of the total electrofishing catch was comprised of nine- and ten-year-old fish. Mean and maximum lengths for Largemouth Bass captured by electrofishing were 14.4 and 17.5 inches, respectively. Growth of Largemouth Bass drops rapidly beyond age five, so Lake Irene is not likely to yield 20.0-inch fish. Other members of the sunfish family residing in Lake Irene include Pumpkinseed, Green Sunfish, and various sunfish hybrids. No Rock Bass have been captured since the 1980 survey.

Fish management concerns include a sustained decrease in Yellow Perch abundance. Catch rates of this important prey fish have remained well below the range of normal catches from similar basins during all recent surveys. Scarcity of preferred-size prey may explain slow growth or potential high mortality of older, larger predators. A few harvestable-size perch are present. Those perch caught in gillnets averaged only 7.7 inches in length.

Other fish species sampled during the 2014 survey include Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Shorthead Redhorse, Tullibee (Cisco), and White Sucker. The next lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2020.

Public accesses are located on the northwest shore off of NW Irene Road and on the southeast shore off of County Road 64.

Lake Irene is now designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels, which were first confirmed in 2012. Regulations restricting bait harvest and transport of water apply to this basin. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html

What is the average air temp for Lake Irene?

Are there any state parks near Lake Irene?