Maple Lake

How big is Maple Lake?

How deep is Maple Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Maple Lake?

What are the closest cities to Maple Lake?

Are there boat launches on Maple Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Maple Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Maple Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Maple Lake 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 Maple Lake?

Maple Lake is a moderate-sized (815 acres), clear water lake located approximately six miles south of Alexandria in Douglas County. The basin has a maximum depth of 78 feet and average depth of 16 feet. Due to Maple Lake's large bays, approximately half of the lake area is considered to be a littoral zone, which is that area less than 15 feet in depth. Maple Lake becomes thermally stratified during summer months. Dissolved oxygen concentration can be low enough to limit sustained occupation by game fishes below the thermocline. Depth to the thermocline can vary from 45 feet in early summer to 25 feet in August.

Water quality is very good. Water clarity averages 10 feet during summer months due to a small watershed area and comparatively low inputs of total phosphorus from runoff. Algal blooms can occur but are temporary and rarely severe. Bottom soils are largely sand. Silt and sediment deposits occur in the back of bays. The lake supports a diversity of submergent plants. Due to clear water, plants have been found growing to a depth of 17 feet. Yellow water lilies occur in sheltered areas along the western shoreline. Highly valued hardstem bulrush is largely confined to undeveloped shoreline.

Maple Lake supports abundant panfish and northern pike populations. Bluegill sunfishes and black crappies comprise most of the panfish harvest. Bluegills captured during the study averaged 6.8 inches. Only five percent of bluegills captured in trap nets were 8.0-inches or larger. These proved to be old fish. An 8-inch bluegill is 10-years-old. Black crappie catches were high during the 2013 survey in response to establishment of a very strong year class in 2009. These four-year-old fish made up 87% of the total crappie caught in trap nets and averaged 9.4 inches during the June survey. Elevated crappie abundance is also partially attributable to a crappie harvest regulation limiting daily harvest to five fish over 10 inches in total length.

The fish community is top heavy with predators. Northern pike are too abundant. Gillnet catches averaged 20.5 pike/net. Captures ranged from 11.0  30.0 inches and averaged 18.4 inches. Largemouth bass are less abundant, but due to limited fertility of the lake and stiff competition with other predators, bass grow slowly. Poor growth diminishes potential fishing quality in terms of size. The largest bass caught measured 16.9 inches. Average length of bass captures was 12.6 inches. Walleyes are stocked to satisfy demand for this popular fishery. Stocking performance and annual recruitment of young walleyes into the population has proven to be inconsistent. Catch statistics from the 2013 survey described a good walleye fishery. Walleye gillnet catches averaged 9.5 fish/net. This catch rate exceeds expectations from similar lakes in Minnesota. Average length of walleye captures was 14.0 inches. Relatively few 20 inch and larger walleye were measured. The largest walleye caught was 23.0 inches in length. This fish was estimated to be thirteen-years-old.

Harvest of the surplus of 21.0-inch and smaller pike would be beneficial to improve predator/prey balance and productivity of the fishery. Yellow perch, preferred prey for bass, pike, and walleyes, are in short supply. If faced with limited perch, predators will shift their diet to young of other gamefishes or less energy-efficient food sources. Young walleye are an acceptable alternative for perch.

Notes:

Maple Lake's clear water, close proximity to Alexandria, Glenwood, and Forada, and extension of central sewer lines around the lake have stimulated accelerated shoreline development and increased recreational use. Temporary declines in water quality are evident following weekends of heavy boating activity. Shoreline development has increasingly encroached into shallow bays and along shoreline supporting hardstem bulrush. Such habitat provides important spawning, nursery, and feeding sites for gamefishes. Anglers, recreational boaters, and shoreline property owners should be sensitive to cumulative impacts of aquatic resources and endeavor to minimize water quality degradation and habitat fragmentation.

Zebra mussels were found in Maple Lake in 2013. Property owners indicate this undesired invasive has successfully reproduced. Please drain boats, bait buckets, and other water containers when leaving the lake to reduce the risk of moving zebra mussels and other non-native organisms to uninfested waters.

Two improved public access sites are located on north and east shorelines. A handicapped accessible, floating fishing pier has been installed near the north boat launch for shore-based fishing experiences.

What is the average air temp for Maple Lake?

Are there any state parks near Maple Lake?