Round Lake

How big is Round Lake?

How deep is Round Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Round Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Round Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Round Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Round Lake

Are there boat launches on Round Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Round Lake?

Round Lake is about 18 miles southeast of Bigfork, Minnesota. The lake has one public access on the north with limited parking. The 2007 lake management plan (LMP) indicates Walleye and Largemouth Bass as the primary species of management with Black Crappie and Northern Pike as secondary species. The LMP goals include maintaining the Walleye gill-net catch at 6.0/net; maintain a Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch of 40/hr (on-time), and increase the Black Crappie catch to 1.0/trap net. A standard survey was conducted in July of 2015 to assess the fish community. A total of 9 gill nets and 9 trap nets were used in the survey as well as spring night electrofishing for Largemouth Bass.

The Walleye population appears to have been established by stocking in the 1980s. Although infrequent stockings have continued, natural reproduction has been pronounced in the last four surveys. In 2015, at least 53% of the sampled Walleye were the result of natural reproduction. Walleye catch rates have ranged from 0 to 12.4 fish/gill net since 1961. The catch of 7.9 fish/gill net in 2015 exceeded the management goal of 6.0 fish/net. The sampled fish ranged from 9.0 to 25.3 inches and had a mean length of 14.0 inches. Eleven age-classes from age 1 to 12 were identified by scale, opercle and otolith analysis. Age-2 and 3 fish were the most commonly captured, representing 58% of the sample. Walleye averaged 13.5 inches at age 4, which was similar to the statewide averages.

Largemouth Bass were sampled with spring night electrofishing for the fourth time since 1993. The catch has ranged from 15.7 to 45.0 fish/hr and was 31.9/hr in 2015. The LMP goal was not achieved in 2015. The sampled fish ranged from 7.2 to 18.7 inches and had a mean length of 13.2 inches. Nine year-classes were identified from scales with fish from age 2 to 10 present. There was no one dominant year class. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages. Fish averaged 14.7 inches after five years of growth.

Black Crappie catch rates have been low in all surveys, ranging from 0 to 1.8 fish/trap net. In 2015, the catch was 0.1 fish/trap net, which is below normal for similar types of lakes. There was a 6 and 12 inch fish sampled that were two and five years old, respectively. The poor recrutiment and limited spawning habitat led to the two southern bays being closed to spring fishing. The goal was to reduce harvest of Black Crappie while they are concentrated and staging to spawn.

Northern Pike gill-net catch rates have range from 0.6 to 14.1 fish/net since 1961. Following the lowest catch on record (0.6 fish/net) in 2006, the catch improved to 2.2 fish/net in 2015. The sampled fish ranged from 19.4 to 39.2 inches and had a mean length of 26.9 inches. Five year-classes were identified with fish from age 2 to age 6 present. Age classes were evenly distributed suggesting low but consistent recruitment. Growth was good compared to statewide averages. Northern Pike averaged 26.9 inches after four years of growth.

Yellow Perch catches have been high compared to other lakes similar to Round. Catches have ranged from 5.0 to 67.8/gill net and was 15.9 fish/gill net in 2015. The sampled fish ranged from 5.7 to 9.0 inches and averaged 6.4 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.

Other species observed during the survey included Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, and White Sucker.

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.

What is the average air temp for Round Lake?

Are there any state parks near Round Lake?