King Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in King Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near King Lake?

King Lake is a 296-acre lake located 17 miles north of Taconite, MN. The lake is relatively shallow with a maximum depth of 23 ft and a littoral area of 141 acres. The lake has an outlet to Balsam Lake on the south shore. Water levels are controlled by a small control structure on the outlet and is a migration barrier for fish moving upstream. Water quality is a concern on King Lake. The Secchi disk transparency on August 17th was 3.0 ft and dissolved oxygen was less than 2.0 ppm below 11.0 ft. Both measures indicate a very eutrophic system in an area of the county which generally has much better water clarity. The lakeshore is almost entirely privately owned and there is a carry down access with a steep trail to the lake on the west shore. The access trail is posted as nonmotorized. Fishing pressure is considered moderate to light based on the primitive access.

Northern pike gill-net catch was 8.8/net and was within the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments varied from 2.0 to 8.3/net. Size structure was good for fish 28 inches or less, but few fish were sampled greater than 28 inches. Growth was faster than the statewide average for fish ages 1 to 3, and similar to the average for fish ages 4 to 7. Northern pike averaged 25.3 inches by age 5.

Black crappie gill net catch was 26.3/net which was much higher than the expected range. The trap net catch rate of 10.1/net was also higher than the expected range. Catch rates in past assessments have been highly variable from 3.0 to 33.3/gill net. Although a few larger fish were sampled, size structure was poor with most fish sampled between 6 to 7.5 inches. Size structure may improve if this large year class survives two more years to grow large enough to interest anglers.

Largemouth bass were sampled by spring electrofishing for the first time in this assessment. The catch rate was 46.0 fish/hour, indicating an abundant population. Size structure was good with fish up to 19 inches sampled. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 13.7 inches at age 5.

Bluegill trap net catch was 18.1/net and was similar to the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments varied from 4.3 to 59.5/trap net. Growth was slightly faster than the statewide average for most years and fish averaged 8.0 inches by age 7. Size structure was generally poor with few fish sampled greater than 8 inches. Size structure may improve if a strong 2005 year class survives three more years.

Gill nets sampled 31 walleye in this assessment for a catch rate of 5.2/net, which was towards the upper end of the expected range for similar lakes. The catch rate in past assessments varied from 0 to 3.3/net, however, walleye were not sampled prior to the 1992 assessment. Size structure was good and all fish sampled were between 20 and 27 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 22.0 inches by age 9.

King Lake was stocked with walleye fingerlings under permit by a private party in 1992, 1998, and 2000. More than 50% of the walleye sampled in this assessment were from the 2000 year class, six fish were from the 1998 year class, and at least two were from the 1992 year class. Based on this assessment and the lack of suitable spawning substrate, the walleye population in King Lake is maintained entirely through stocking.

Yellow perch catch rate was 25.0/gill net and was within the expected range. The catch rate in past assessments has varied from 7.0 to 77.8/gill net. Size structure was poor with few fish exceeding 9 inches.

Other species sampled include brown bullhead, golden shiner, pumpkinseed sunfish, white sucker, and rock bass.

Lakeshore owners may affect fish populations not only through harvesting fish, but also through land use practices. It is important to leave a 30 to 50 ft buffer strip of native vegetation along the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Nonfunctioning septic systems can also lead to water quality problems. Good water quality and fish populations are the direct result of good land use practices. Anglers can also help to improve the size structure of the fish community by releasing larger fish.

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Are there any state parks near King Lake?