Little Jessie Lake

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Little Jessie Lake is a 637-acre lake located 5 miles southwest of Talmoon, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 50 ft and is moderately developed. Primary fish species include walleye, northern pike and panfish.

The walleye gill net catch rate was 5.7/net and was similar to the long-term average of 5.3/net for Little Jessie Lake. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 0.6 to 10.8/gill net. The catch rate in 2010 declined from the previous two assessments which had especially high catch rates of 8.8 and 10.8/net. Although the current catch rate has declined, it is still within the normal range of values for Little Jessie Lake. Walleye growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 17.7 inches at age 5. Size structure was moderate with several year classes present including one fish which was 19 years old. Walleye fingerlings are currently stocked at twice the normal rate in even years. The results of this assessment indicate that stocked year classes were more abundant than nonstocked years.

The northern pike gill net catch rate was 2.3/net and was lower than the expected range for similar lakes and lower than the long-term average of 5.1/net for Little Jessie Lake. Lower catch rates for northern pike are good because higher catch rates generally lead to poor size structure. However, size structure was poor with few fish larger than 24 inches sampled. It is unclear why size structure declined because Little Jessie has a history of larger northern pike. Trap nets did sample one fish that was 40 inches indicating the lake is still capable of producing large fish. Six year classes were determined from scale analysis and year classes were roughly similar indicating consistent recruitment. Growth was slightly faster than the statewide average with fish averaging 24.9 inches by age 5.

The bluegill catch rate was 49.0/trap net and was towards the upper end of the expected range. Catch rates were historically low, not exceeding 2.0/trap net in the first 4 assessments. Catch rates have since increased from 2.7/net in 1996 to the all-time high of 49.0/net in 2010. High catch rates are a concern, because size structure generally declines as catch rates increase. Size structure was poor with few fish exceeding 8 inches. Growth was slower than the lake class average with fish averaging 6.0 inches at age 6. The combination of high catch rates and slow growth rates result in poor size structure.

Yellow perch gill net catch was 17.3/net and was within the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments have been highly variable from 12.0 to 86.1/gill net. Size structure was poor with few fish larger than 9 inches sampled. Growth was slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 8.2 inches at age 7. Yellow perch are more important as prey than a species of interest to anglers.

Little Jessie still supports an abundant tullibee population with a catch rate of 6.0/gill net, towards the upper end of the expected range. Tullibee were generally small, around 8 to 9 inches, however a few larger fish up to 15 inches were sampled. Tullibee are an important prey species for walleye and northern pike.

Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and black crappie were sampled in low numbers. Smallmouth bass varied in length from 5 to 16 inches. Largemouth bass were more abundant with similar size structure. Few black crappie were sampled with fish up to 12 inches.

Other species sampled in gill nets and trap nets include black and yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and white sucker.

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 harvesting fewer smaller fish and releasing medium and larger fish.

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