Gunderson Lake

How big is Gunderson Lake?

How deep is Gunderson Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Gunderson Lake?

Are there boat launches on Gunderson Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Gunderson Lake?

Gunderson Lake is a 146-acre lake located 7 miles north of Talmoon, MN off Highway 6. The lake is moderately developed and had moderate clarity with a Secchi disk reading of 11 ft. Gunderson Lake has a maximum depth of 36 ft and is accessible by a concrete access on the northeast shore. Previous water chemistry sampling indicated moderate hardness and fertility. Gunderson Lake outlets to the Bigfork River through an unnamed tributary. Primary fish species include northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish.

The northern pike gill net catch rate was 15.8/net and was higher than the expected range for similar lakes. Northern pike catch rates have generally been high in most assessments varying from 6.7 to 24.0/gill net. Size structure in 2012 was poor with few fish over 24 inches sampled. High gill net catches generally correspond to poor size structure. Despite high abundance, a 37 inch fish was sampled in 2012 and large fish have been sampled in past assessments. Fish up to age eight were sampled and growth was slow, but within 15% of the statewide average. Northern pike averaged 24.7 inches by age 7.

The bluegill catch rate was 8.8/trap net and was towards the low end of the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments have been much higher varying from 15.0 to 102.5/net. Size structure was poor with no fish eight inches or larger sampled. Fish up to nine inches have been sampled in past assessments indicating size structure may have declined. Growth was slightly slower than the lake class average with fish only averaging 7.2 inches by age eight. Since bluegill rarely live beyond age 10 it will be difficult to improve size structure unless growth rates improve.

Black crappie gill net and trap net catches were 2.2 and 0.7/net. The gill net catch was slightly higher than the expected range and trap net catch was towards the low end of the expected range. Catch rates in past assessments have been highly variable, varying from 0 to 10.8/gill net and 3.3 to 23.5/trap net. Size structure was good with fish up to 11 inches sampled. Ageing data indicated inconsistent recruitment with two missing year classes and growth that was similar to the lake class average with fish averaging 9.9 inches by age five.

The yellow perch catch rate was 1.7/gill net and was lower than the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments were higher and varied from 14.3 to 134.8/net. Size structure was poor and no fish 9 inches or larger were sampled. Size structure has also been poor in past assessments. Although yellow perch are too small to interest most anglers they are an important prey species for northern pike.

Three walleye were sampled for a catch rate of 0.5/gill net which was below the first quartile of 1.3/net. Walleye have not been sampled in all assessments and catch rates have varied from 0 to 1.5/gill net. The walleye sampled were large and varied from 19.9 to 22.4 inches and were relatively old fish, aged at 9, 17, and 18 years old. Because walleye have not been stocked in many years and many year classes are missing, the fish may have migrated from the Bigfork River.

Largemouth bass were also sampled in the 2012 assessment. Largemouth bass are not sampled well by gill nets or trap nets and net catches do not accurately reflect abundance. Gill nets sampled 11 fish for a catch rate of 1.8/net and trap nets sampled six fish for a catch rate of 0.7/net. Gunderson Lake has the ability to produce larger fish and fish up to 18 inches were sampled. Other species sampled include pumpkinseed sunfish and yellow bullhead.

Water levels appear to be much higher than normal and lakeshore residents mentioned the outlet channel is blocked by several beaver dams. High water has accelerated shoreline erosion, killed numerous trees and blocked fish migration from the Bigfork River. An open channel between the lake and the river may improve the fish community of Gunderson Lake.

What is the average air temp for Gunderson Lake?

Are there any state parks near Gunderson Lake?