Little Jay Gould Lake

How big is Little Jay Gould Lake?

How deep is Little Jay Gould Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Little Jay Gould Lake?

What are the closest cities to Little Jay Gould Lake?

Are there boat launches on Little Jay Gould Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Little Jay Gould Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Little Jay Gould Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Little Jay Gould 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 Little Jay Gould Lake?

Little Jay Gould is a small, mesotrophic lake near Cohasset, Minnesota. It is 178 acres in size, has a littoral area of 78 acres (57%) and has a maximum depth of 56 feet. The lake is relatively clear and supports a diverse aquatic plant community. The Secchi disk transparency in 2015 was 11.2 feet, and has ranged from 10.0-12.0 feet in previous surveys. The lake is connected to the Mississippi River via connection to Jay Gould Lake and Blackwater Lake and is part of the larger Pokegama Reservoir. The US Army Corp of Engineers controls water levels at the Pokegama Dam. Little Jay Gould receives water from Pokegama Lake and the Mississippi River depending on water level. The shoreline impact zone has been modified and disturbed by residential development in many places. Residential development often impacts fish and wildlife habitat by destabilizing shorelines, modifying or removing aquatic plants, and increasing nutrient run off to the lake.

The 2009 Lake Management Plan (LMP) lists Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Black Crappie as primary species for management and Walleye and Northern Pike as secondary species. The LMP goals were to: Maintain a quality Largemouth Bass fishery characterized by electrofishing catches exceeding 40 per hour, maintain quality panfish angling opportunities with Black Crappie and Bluegill populations characterized by trap net catches exceeding 0.2 and 4.7/net; maintain Walleye angling opportunities with a Walleye population characterized by a catch of 3.0/gill net and maintain a Northern Pike fishery characterized by a catch of 6.0/gill net.

A population assessment was conducted in August of 2015 utilizing 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets to assess the status and characteristics of the fish community. An electrofishing survey was done in May of 2015 to evaluate the bass population.

Northern Pike were the most common fish captured in gill nets. The catch rate of 5.3/gill net was within the typical range for ecological lake class 25. Little Jay Gould has a history of relatively high pike abundance as gill net catches have been near the upper end of the expected range in four of five assessments conducted since 1974. Size structure of pike has been poor in all assessments. Ageing structures identified 7 consecutive year-classes ranging from age-1 to age-7. Northern Pike averaged 19.9 inches at age-5, similar to the statewide average. A lack of older, larger individuals appears to limit the age and size structures, as only 10% of individuals exceeded age-5. Anglers should consider releasing Northern Pike exceeding 22 inches to increase the number of older, larger fish in the lake.

The Black Crappie gill net catch rate decreased from 3.3 /net in 2008 to 1.2/net, which is similar to the lake class median (1.5/net). Aging structures identified 4 year classes ranging from age-1 to age-5 and suggested fairly consistent recruitment. Growth was near the statewide average and individuals typically exceeded the quality size of 8 inches in 4 years. The LMP goal for abundance was met (0.2/trapnet), but not size structure. However, Black Crappie sample size was small as they are difficult to sample in summer assessments.

Walleye were captured at a rate of 1.8/gill net, which was within the typical range for the lake class. Of the Walleye sampled, 10 of 11 were age-3 and growth was near the statewide average. Connecting waters, Jay Gould and Pokegama lakes, are currently stocked with Walleye fingerlings.

Yellow Perch were captured at a rate of 3.5/gill net, which is within the typical range for the lake class. Yellow Perch catches have been in the lower end of this range in four of five assessments. Relatively high Northern Pike abundance may limit perch numbers in Little Jay Gould. Size has generally been too small to be of interest to anglers.

Bluegill were captured at a rate of 8.1/trap net, within the typical range for the lake class. Although Bluegill trap net catches have historically been low, the 2015 catch was the highest recorded. Seven consecutive year classes were identified ranging from age-1 to age-7 and recruitment appeared relatively consistent. Bluegill averaged 5.2 inches at age-4, which is slightly above the statewide average. Only 8% of individuals exceeded age-5, suggesting relatively high mortality of older individuals. The LMP goal for abundance (4.7/net) was met, but not for size structure.

Electrofishing surveys to assess the Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations were conducted in 2008 and 2015. Largemouth Bass were sampled in good numbers; the on-time catch rate was 33.5/hour compared to 41.9/hour in 2008. Six year-classes were identified ranging from age-3 to age-8 and recruitment appeared to be consistent. Growth was near the statewide average and individuals typically exceeded 12 inches in 5 years. Thirty percent of individuals exceeded age-5. The lake has good Largemouth Bass habitat and they are an important component of the fish community. Smallmouth Bass were sampled for the first, and only, time in 2008. LMP goals were met for size structure, but not for electrofishing catch rates. Smallmouth Bass were not captured in previous assessments and habitat for this species may be limited.

Little Jay Gould is not known to support invasive plant species. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Other species captured include Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Tullibee, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Little Jay Gould Lake?

Are there any state parks near Little Jay Gould Lake?