Chase Lake

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Chase Lake is located approximately three miles northeast of Deer River, MN and within the Mississippi River Headwaters watershed. The 209 acre lake has 68 littoral acres, a 95 foot maximum depth and is moderately developed along the 2.9 mile shoreline. There is an unimproved access off the township road along the southwest shore, but ownership of the landing is uncertain. Secchi disk transparency, a standard measure of water clarity, has averaged 20.8 feet over seven surveys and has ranged from 16.0 - 25.5 feet, which is considered very clear. There are no inlets or outlets.

The 2002 management plan (LMP) lists Northern Pike and Black Crappie as primary species for management and Largemouth Bass and Bluegill as secondary species. These designations are based on habitat suitability as well as angler interest. The LMP goals were to: 1) maintain Northern Pike abundance in gill nets below 8.7/net, and 2) provide a Black Crappie fishery with the opportunity to catch fish of preferred size (>10 inches) with at least 50% of the fish from the trap net sample >10 inches.

A standard survey was conducted in August 2016 to assess the status and characteristics of the fish community using six gill nets and nine trap nets. The first night electrofishing survey of Chase Lake was conducted on May 19, 2016 to obtain additional information on the Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie populations.

The Northern Pike catch rate remained similar to 2002 at 6.5/gill net, which is within the normal range for lakes with similar habitats and met the management goal. Northern Pike captured in gill nets ranged in length from 15.5 - 40.0 inches, with a mean length of 22.8 inches. Size structure was moderate with 13% of the fish from gill nets >28 inches. Chase Lake has the potential to produce large Northern Pike as fish over 28 inches have been sampled in each of the past three assessments. Anglers are encouraged to release Northern Pike over 22 inches to help improve size quality. Analysis of ageing structures identified six consecutive age classes, ages 2 - 7. Growth was near the statewide average for lakes with similar habitats, with a mean length of 21.1 inches at age-5.

Black Crappie were captured at a rate of 2.1/trap net, which is near the upper limit of what would be typical of lakes with similar habitats. Electrofishing sampled Black Crappie at a rate of 28.3/hr. on-time. Size structure from electrofishing was good with 63% of the fish >10 inches. The management goal from trap nets was not met, but was exceeded in the electrofishing sample. Black Crappie sampled by electrofishing ranged in length from 9.1 - 12.8 inches, with a mean length of 10.6 inches. Five consecutive age classes were represented in the sample, ages 4 - 8. Black Crappie grew to 10.2 inches at age-5, which is near the average for similar lakes. Spring electrofishing appears to be an efficient method of sampling Black Crappie as 38 were captured electrofishing compared to19 in trap nets.

The Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rate was 55.8/hr. on-time. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 5.8 - 17.4 inches, with a mean length of 12.8 inches. Size structure was moderate as only 12% of the fish sampled were > 15 inches. There were eight consecutive year classes identified in the sample, ages 2 - 9. Growth rates were similar to the statewide average with a mean length of 12.1 inches at age-5.

The Bluegill trap net catch rate was 7.2/net, which is typical for the lake. The Bluegill trap net catch has ranged from 4.9 - 7.3/net in the previous four surveys. Size structure improved from 2001, but remains moderate as only 4% of the fish were >8 inches. Eight consecutive age classes were represented in the sample, ages 2 - 9. Bluegill attained an average length of 6.2 inches at age-7, which is considered slow, but near the average for similar lakes.

Chase Lake has a low density Walleye population which is maintained through natural reproduction. Walleye were captured at a rate of 0.5/gill net, which is considered low. The Walleye gill net catch has been below what would be expected in lakes with similar habitats in six of eight surveys. Three Walleye were captured in gill nets ranging in length from 16.8 - 20.6 inches, and averaging 19.0 inches. Two of the Walleye were age-12, while the other was not aged. Walleye have only been stocked twice, in 1985 and 1987.

The Yellow Perch gill net catch rate of 0.2/net was considered low for similar type lakes, and has been low in most surveys since the initial survey in 1955. This decline corresponds to the introduction of Northern Pike in 1956. This one time stocking resulted in the establishment of the Northern Pike population and subsequent declines in prey populations.

The Tullibee gill net catch rate has followed the same downward trend as Yellow Perch, and for the same reason. The Tullibee gill net catch rate of 0.3/net was considered low, and has been low in six of seven surveys since 1955.

Other species sampled included: Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed and White Sucker.

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