Bray Lake

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Bray Lake is located about 8 miles northwest of Nashwauk, MN and within the Mississippi River Watershed. The 196 acre lake has 75 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 44 feet, and about 3.0 miles of shoreline. There are two inlets, one unnamed and Bray Creek, and one outlet, Bray Creek, to Trestle Lake. There is no public boat ramp on the lake. Access can be gained through a carry-in access on the south end of the lake, located in shallow, densely vegetated bay. The entire shoreline is privately owned and moderately developed. Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Black Crappie are the primary management species, while Walleye are also present in low numbers.

Northern Pike were sampled a rate of 2.8/gill net, below the lake class first quartile (3.5/net) and similar to the last assessment (3.0/net). A total of 11 pike were sampled in gill nets, while trap nets caught 14 at a rate of 1.6/net. Size structure was moderately poor, with 27% (n=3) of the pike exceeding 24 inches. Lengths ranged from 17.9 to 28.4 inches with a mean length of 22.2 inches. Lengths in the trap net sample ranged from 13.8 to 22.1 inches with a mean length of 18.6 inches. Scale and bone analysis identified ages 2 to 6 with growth similar to the statewide average. Age 3 was the most numerous, comprising 45% of the sample, yet there was relatively consistent recruitment. Northern Pike averaged 26.0 inches by age 6.

Black Crappie were sampled at a rate of 3.8/trap net, above the lake class third quartile (3.4/net) and the previous assessment at 2.6/trap net. Catches have ranged from a low of 0.5/trap net in 1983 to the high observed in 2014. Black Crappie catches in gill nets have been low, ranging from 1 to 7 fish. A quality size structure exists with fish exceeding 12 inches (PSD-8=48, RSD-10=24, RSD-12=3). Lengths ranged from 4.0 to 12.3 inches with a mean length of 7.7 inches. Scale analysis identified eight age classes with ages 1-4 and 6-9 present in the sample. Age 4 was the dominant age class, comprising 45% of the sample. However, a wide range of ages indicates relative consistent recruitment. Growth was slow early, but similar to the statewide average by age 5. Black Crappie averaged 10.2 inches by age 7.

Trap nets sampled Bluegill at a rate of 4.9/net, below the lake class first quartile and the previous assessment (7.9/net). Catches are typically low, similar or less than the lake class first quartile. Quality size structure is usually an attribute of low density populations. Size structure was favorable (PSD-6=61, RSD-8=25, RSD-10=0) and similar to previous assessments. Lengths ranged from 3.2 to 8.7 inches with a mean length of 6.5 inches. Scale analysis identified ages 2 to 10 present in the sample with relatively consistent recruitment. Back-calculated length-at-age determined growth was similar to Ecological Lake Class 31 average up to age 8. Bluegill averaged eight inches by age-8.

Walleye sampled at a rate of 0.3/net, below the lake class first quartile (1.3/net). Past assessments indicate natural reproduction maintains the Walleye population. Tullibee were sampled at a rate of 4.8/gill net, similar to the lake class third quartile (4.8/net) and up slightly from the previous assessment (3.5/net). Bowfin were sampled at a rate of 1.7/trap net, exceeding the lake class third quartile. Anecdotal reports from lakeshore owners suggest an abundant population.

Other species sampled included Pumpkinseed Sunfish, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

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