Splithand Lake

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Splithand Lake is a 1420 acre lake located southeast of Grand Rapids, MN. The lake has a DNR access and moderate to high shoreline development. The 2000 lake management plan indicates walleye were the primary species of management with black crappie, bluegill and northern pike as secondary species. The walleye gill-net catch rate of 4.3 fish/net fell within the 1st quartile and lake class median of 3.3 to 5.5 fish/net. In 2004, the gill-net catch did not attain the management goal of 5.1 fish/gill net likely due to the intense fishing pressure and harvest that occurred prior to the assessment. We received numerous reports Splithand Lake was producing many limits of walleye during the 2004 season (lots of small walleye and reports of the public access being full). The excellent fishing was the result of a strong 2001 year-class of walleye that were 12-15 inches throughout the early part of the fishing season. The population appeared to have been heavily exploited. Walleye from 6.5 to 23.3 inches were sampled from gill nets with a mean length of 12.2 inches. Only one fish captured by gill nets exceeded 15 inches. The 2001 year-class represented 47% of the sample and likely was much larger prior to angler harvest. The 2002 year-class was the second largest (representing 39%) but the fish were too small for anglers to harvest. Based on age analysis, the population was sustained by natural reproduction with at least 88% of the fish corresponding to years with no stocking. Growth was similar to statewide averages. The black crappie population has continued to be low to moderate density with good size structure. In 2004, the gill-net catch rate (0.3/net) approached the 1st quartile while the trap-net catch rate (2.6/net) exceeded the 3rd quartile of 2.3 fish/net. Fish sampled in the trap nets ranged from 9.4 to 12.9 inches and had a mean length of 11.5 inches. Six year-classes from age 3 to age 8 were sampled. Age-5 fish were the most prevalent, representing 63% of the sample. Based on mean back-calculated lengths, growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages. Bluegill trap-net catch rates have been low (ranging from 0.4 to 4.6/net) in all assessments. The catch in 2004 was the highest on record at 4.6 fish/net; which exceeded the 1st quartile of 4.4 fish/net for lake class 27. The fish ranged from 3.0 to 9.9 inches and had a mean length of 6.2 inches. Although age and growth information was not collected in this assessment, growth was likely good in response to the lake fertility and low density population. In 2004, the northern pike gill-net catch rate was highest on record and exceeded the long range goal of 2.0 fish/net. The catch of 6.3 fish/gill net was between the lake class median and 3rd quartile of 5.1 and 9.0 fish/net. The sampled fish ranged from 17.7 and 26.9 inches and had a mean length of 22.9 inches. Age and growth information was not collected in this assessment. Tullibee are important prey for predators like walleye and northern pike. The presence of a healthy tullibee population is often associated with trophy predators. During the last forty years, tullibee catch rates have fluctuated considerably: from 1953 to 1956, the gill-net catch ranged from 0.6 to 1.9, but from 1975 to 1987 it ranged from 5.7 to 20.2, and in the last four assessments it ranged from 1.2 to 3.1. In 2004, the gill-net catch rate approached the lake class median of 2.2 fish/net with a catch of 1.7 fish/net. The fish ranged from 9.9 to 18.4 inches with a mean length of 14.6 inches. Yellow perch are also an important prey for many predator species. Yellow perch were sampled at a gill-net catch rate of 29.4 fish/net, which is between the lake class median of 18.2 fish/net and 3rd quartile of 46.3 fish/net. Historical gill-net catch rates have never been below the lake class median and have been above the 3rd quartile in four assessments. The sample was dominated by small fish, but fish ranged from 4.8 to 10.5 inches with a mean length of 6.2 inches. Age and growth information were not collected in this assessment. Other species sampled during the population assessment included bowfin, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, 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 waters 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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