Peterson Lake

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Peterson Lake is a class 32 lake located about four miles northwest of Talmoon, Minnesota. The lake has a public access on the west side and it is lightly developed. The lake has extensive shallow, vegetated habitat with one deeper hole. There is an abundance of spawning and nursery habitat for bass, panfish, and Northern Pike. Consequently, these attributes tend to result in poor growth and occasional, partial winterkills.

The 2004 lake management plan (LMP) indicates Black Crappie and Bluegill as the primary species of management with Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike as secondary species. The LMP goals include maintaining the Black Crappie trap-net or gill-net catch above 4.0/net, Bluegill trap-net catch near 14.0/net, Northern Pike gill-net catch near 9.0/net, and electrofishing catch for Largemouth Bass above 20/hr. A standard survey was conducted in June of 2015 to assess the status of the fish community. A total of 4 gill nets and 9 trap nets were used in the survey as well as spring night electrofishing for Largemouth Bass.

Black Crappie catches have been very high in the past but have been more normal in recent surveys. The gill-net catch was 5.0 fish/net and exceeded the LMP goal in 2015. The sampled fish ranged from 4.5 to 8.5 inches and averged 7.1 inches. Seven age-classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 2 to age 9 sampled. Age-8 fish represented 41% of the sample. Growth was poor compared to other class 32 lakes. Black Crappie average 6.4 inches after five years of growth.

Bluegill catches have been quite variable since 1971. In 2015, the trap-net catch was 17.9 fish/net. The catch was within the normal range and met the LMP goal. The sampled fish ranged from 3.4 to 7.7 inches and averaged 6.0 inches. Eleven age-classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 2 to age 12 sampled. Growth was poor compared to the lake class average. Fish averaged 4.8 inches after five years.

Largemouth Bass were sampled with spring night electrofishing for the second time in 2015. The catch was 30.1/hr on-time in 2015 compared to 6.6/hr in 2000. Our LMP goal to sample 20/hr was achieved in 2015. The sampled fish ranged from 9.6 to 19.1 inches and averaged 15.2 inches. Eight year-classes were identified from scales with fish from age 3 to 11 present. There was no dominant year-class. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages. Fish averaged 14.3 inches after five years of growth.

Northern Pike gill-net catch rates have ranged from 7.8 to 17.8 fish/net since 1971. The catch of 7.8 fish/net in 2015 was the lowest on record but met the LMP goal. The lower catches corresponded to improved size structure. The sampled fish ranged from 16.5 to 31.7 inches and averaged 22.8 inches. Eight year-classes were identified by scales and cliethra with fish from age 2 to age 10 present. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages. Northern Pike averaged 19.6 inches after four years of growth.

Yellow Perch catches have ranged from 3.5 to 45.3 fish/gill net since 1971. The 2015 catch was lowest on record at 3.5 fish/gill net. The sampled Yellow Perch ranged from 5.4 to 7.6 inches and averaged 6.1 inches. Due to the Yellow Perch size structure, they are probably more important within the fish community as a prey source than as a species desired by anglers. Age and growth information was not collected in 2015.

Other species observed during the survey included Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Walleye.

In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations.

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