Shallow Pond

How big is Shallow Pond?

How deep is Shallow Pond?

What kind of fish can you catch in Shallow Pond?

What are the closest cities to Shallow Pond?

Are there boat launches on Shallow Pond?

Are there places to eat and drink near Shallow Pond?

Background

Shallow Pond Lake is located in the Chippewa National Forest and the Big Fork River watershed south of Northome, Minnesota. It is in ecological lake class #39. Lakes in this classification are moderate in size, relatively shallow, and have moderately clear, hard water. Shallow Pond Lake is 176 acres and has a maximum depth of 14 feet. Water quality analysis in 1989 showed that the lake was very fertile with high phosphorous levels and a Secchi disk reading of only 2 feet. The Secchi disk reading in June of 2010 was 9 feet, indicating that the lake can be relatively clear for at least part of the year. Shallow Pond Lake receives water from Island Lake and outlets to the Popple River. The Popple River forms a relatively open system with broad connections to other water bodies and Shallow Pond is believed to benefit from fish moving into and out of the lake. There is a public access on the north end of the lake owned by the U.S. Forest Service. A few dwellings exist near the lakeshore, but much of the shoreline is in a natural state. The lake supports a diverse aquatic plant community which includes abundant emergent and floating leaved plants. A diverse plant community is an important attribute in keeping a desirable fish community in Shallow Pond Lake.

The lake management plan for Shallow Pond Lake was last revised in 2004. Walleye and northern pike were identified as the primary management species and black crappie were listed as a secondary species. The long range goals of the lake management plan were to increase walleye gill net abundance to 5.8/gill net. To accomplish this goal, Pike River strain walleye fry were stocked biennially at the rate of 1000/acre starting in 2004. No experimental of special regulations exist for Shallow Pond Lake but statewide seasons and limits apply.

Assessment Results

Test netting was conducted on Shallow Pond Lake in early June of 2010. Shallow Pond Lake was also included in near shore index of biological integrity (IBI) sampling in mid-July of 2010.

Yellow perch were the most common fish captured in the gill net sample. The catch was high compared to lakes with similar habitats and was somewhat above average for Shallow Pond. Shallow Pond Lake has a long history of high perch catches. Most perch were relatively small, averaging 7.9 inches. Some quality sized perch were capture as 44% exceeded 8 inches. The largest perch captured was nearly 12 inches in length. Sixty-four percent of the sampled perch had parasitic yellow grub, which may limit angler popularity of the fishery.

Northern pike were the second most common fish in the gill net sample. The catch was high compared to similar lakes but below average for Shallow Pond Lake. Shallow Pond has excellent northern pike spawning habitat and has historically supported high pike catch rates. When northern pike occur at high density, average size is typically small and growth is often poor. The 2010 sample indicated a moderate size distribution. Northern pike lengths ranged from 14.1 to 29.1 inches and averaged 21.5 inches. Many pike exceeded 21 inches, but few angler-preferred pike were present as only 5% exceeded 28 inches. Age analysis identified 7 year classes. Most pike were relatively young, averaging 3.4 years of age, and only 17% of the sampled pike were 5 years old or older. The lack of older pike may indicate high mortality of older pike or high emmigration rates of adult pike from Shallow Pond Lake. Growth was near the statewide average with individuals typically exceeding 21 inches by age 4. The lake appears to be an important rearing area for young pike in the Popple River system and it is doubtful that meaningful improvements in pike size distribution could be achieved given the amount and quality of the spawning habitat.

Walleye were captured at a comparable rate to catches from similar lakes, and above average for Shallow Pond Lake. The catch rate was just below the goal of the lake management plan. Captured walleye were generally large, as length ranged from 11.3 to 26.5 inches and averaged 20 inches. Most walleye exceeded 15 inches and many exceeded 20 inches. Age analysis identified 7 year classes. Fewer than half of the captured walleye corresponded to a stocked year. Walleye were generally older individuals, averaging 7 years of age. Eighty five percent of the sampled walleye exceeded age-5. Growth was near the statewide average with individuals typically exceeding 16 inches by age 5. The lack of young walleye in Shallow Pond Lake may suggest that the lake does not function as a walleye rearing area, but does provide important habitat for transient adult walleyes as they move through the system. Shallow Pond Lake may be an important feeding area for adult walleye, given the history of high perch catches. The lake appears to support excellent angler opportunities for large walleye, given the relative abundance and favorable size distribution of this species.

Black crappie were captured at a relatively low rate but about average for Shallow Pond Lake. The lake has a history of low crappie catches, which likely limits the popularity of the fishery. Captured crappies were large, ranging from 11.5 to 12.7 inches, and the size distribution suggests that modest angling opportunities may exist for large individuals.

Shallow Pond Lake supports a relatively diverse fish community. Other species captured include bluegill, black bullhead, black chin shiner, bowfin, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, and white sucker.

The protection of water quality and habitat is critical in maintaining or improving fish and wildlife populations. Unfortunately, human activities often negatively impact our lakes. Fertilized turf-grass lawns and failing septic systems along with the removal of shoreline and aquatic vegetation, mowing to the shore, and installing sand blanket beaches result in destabilized shorelines, uncontrolled erosion, and increased run-off, contributing excess nutrients and sediment to the lake and degrading water quality and habitat. By understanding the cumulative impacts of our actions and taking steps to avoid or minimize them, we can help insure our quality water resources can be enjoyed well into the future. Anglers can further help insure quality fishing by practicing selective harvest and catch and release.

What is the average air temp for Shallow Pond?

Are there any state parks near Shallow Pond?