O'Reilly Lake

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O'Reilly Lake is a 202-acre lake located 5 miles northwest of Taconite, MN. The lake is the largest lake in a chain of three connected lakes including Shamrock and Island Lake. The lake is moderately developed with clear water and a Secchi disk reading of 13 ft. Previous water chemistry sampling indicated low fertility which negatively affects growth rates and abundance of the fishery. Primary fish species include northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish.

The northern pike gill net catch rate was 4.7/net and was similar to the average for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 2.8 to 9.5/net. Size structure was moderate and most fish sampled were less than 25 inches. One 34 inch fish was sampled indicating the lake has the potential to produce larger northern pike. Five year classes of northern pike were sampled with ages 2 to 5 and age 8 represented. Growth was similar to the statewide average and fish averaged 23.6 inches by age 5. Only one fish older than age 5 was sampled and size structure could be improved if a greater proportion of fish survived to older age classes. Angler harvest is likely limiting survival and size structure of the population.

Largemouth bass were sampled by spring electrofishing and sampled 50 fish for a catch rate of 49.9/h, indicating a moderate to abundant population. This was the first assessment to sample largemouth bass by electrofishing. Ten fish were also sampled by gill nets or trap nets. Size structure was moderate with fish up to 17 inches sampled. Most year classes were sampled with fish up to age 9 indicating a population with good recruitment to older age classes. Growth was slightly slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 13.6 inches by age 6.

The bluegill catch rate was 6.7/trap net and was slightly lower than the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rates have generally been higher and varied from 6.8 to 22.5/net. Size structure was poor and only one fish sampled was larger than 8 inches and most fish were less than 6 inches. Size structure has generally been poor in most assessments. Fish up to age 10 were sampled and most year classes were present. Growth was slower than the lake class average with fish only averaging 5.8 inches by age 7 and 6.8 inches at age 9. Bluegill rarely live beyond age 10 and although survival to older age classes appears good, slow growth limits the potential to produce fish larger than 8 inches.

Black crappie catch rates were low, with catch rates of 1.2 and 1.3/net for gill nets and trap nets. Catch rates were within the expected range for similar lakes for both gears. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 0 to 6.0/gill net. Although sample size was low size structure was good with fish up to 11 inches sampled. Seven age classes were present and fish up to age 11 were sampled. Growth was much slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 10.0 inches by age 8, compared to 12.3 inches at age 8 for the statewide average. Similar to bluegill, slow growth limits the potential to produce large black crappie.

Common prey species such as yellow perch and tullibee were not abundant in O'Reilly Lake. No yellow perch were sampled in this assessment and catch rates have been less than 1.0/net when they have been sampled. Tullibee catch rate was 0.7/gill net which was less than the expected range for similar lakes. Tullibee catch rates in past assessments have varied from 0.7 to 14.4/gill net. Low abundance of prey species limits growth rates and abundance of predator species such as northern pike.

Walleye have been stocked several times and have been sampled in very low numbers in past assessments. Walleye stocking was discontinued in 1988 due to low catch rates and lack of suitable prey to support additional predator species. No walleye were sampled in this assessment and O'Reilly Lake is best suited for northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish.

Other species sampled by gill nets and trap nets include bowfin, brown and yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and white sucker. Nearshore seining and electrofishing also sampled Iowa and Johnny darters, bluntnose minnow, burbot, central mudminnow and tadpole madtom in addition to young-of-the-year gamefish species already sampled by gill net and trap nets.

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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