Wabana Lake

How big is Wabana Lake?

How deep is Wabana Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Wabana Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Wabana 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 Wabana Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Wabana Lake

Are there boat launches on Wabana Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Wabana Lake?

Wabana is a large lake located about 11 miles north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The lake has two public accesses and is moderately developed. The 2010 lake management plan (LMP) indicates Walleye and Northern Pike as the primary species of management with Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass as secondary species. A standard survey was conducted in July of 2015 to assess the status of the fish community. A total of 15 gill nets and 15 trap nets were used in the survey as well as spring night electrofishing for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.

The Walleye catch was 4.9 fish/gill net in 2015. The catch approached the management goal of 6.0 fish/net and was within the normal range for similar types of lakes. The sampled fish ranged from 6.6 to 25.5 inches and averaged 15.8 inches. The size distribution goals were nearly attained in 2015.

Past evaluations determined that Walleye natural reproduction was poor in Wabana Lake. It appears that large, deep lakes do not warm fast enough to produce sufficient food for Walleye fry to survive. Walleye fingerlings can often be an effective management tool in these types of lakes where fry and natural reproduction have not been successful. The 2015 survey evaluated a period in which Walleye were stocked annually since 2004. Eleven age-classes from age 1 to 14 were captured with age-2 to age-4 fish representing 60% of the sample. Walleye averaged 15.9 inches after four years of growth. Growth was similar to the statewide averages.

Northern Pike gill-net catch rates have ranged from 1.5 to 5.4 fish/net since 1975. Following the lowest catch on record (1.5 fish/net) in 2009, the catch improved to 4.1 fish/net in 2015. The catch was average when compared to other similar lakes. Northern Pike ranged from 12.6 to 37.0 inches and averaged 23.7 inches. Although size structure was good compared to many Northern Pike populations, the size distribution goals were not attained and will likely not be attained in the absence of length based regulations. Nine age-classes were identified with fish from age 2 to age 11 present. Age-2 fish represented 35% of the sample. Growth was good with Northern Pike averaging 24.3 inches after four years of growth.

Largemouth Bass were sampled with spring night electrofishing. The catch was 31.9fish/hr in 2015. The sampled fish ranged from 6.3 to 15.6 inches and averaged 10.8 inches. Seven year-classes were identified with fish from age 2 to 9 present. The 2011 age class represented 56% of the sample. Growth was slow compared to statewide averages. Our goal to sample more 20 inch and larger fish was not achieved in 2015 and may not be realistic for the lake due to slow growth.

Smallmouth Bass were also sampled with spring night electrofishing in 2015. The catch was 14.7 fish/hr. The sampled fish ranged from 6.0 to 16.8 inches and averaged 10.4 inches. Five year-classes were identified. Fish from age 2 to age 8 were present with age 3 and 4 representing 86% of the sample. Growth was similar to the statewide average through age 4 but slower for older fish.

Tullibees are difficult to sample with our standard summer surveys because they spend most of the time in the open water. Catch rates on Wabana have been relatively stable, with a mean of 3.7/gill net since 1975. The catch of 4.6 in 2015 was near the upper end of the normal range for similar types of lakes. The sampled fish ranged from 7.3 to 20.0 inches and averaged 14.2 inches. The majority of the fish were 17 to 19 inches. No attempt was made to age the fish but the size distribution would suggest at least three age classes were present.

Yellow Perch catches have never exceeded the lake class average. The 2015 catch was 4.7 fish/gill net and catches have ranged from 1.0 to 11.5/net since 1975. The sampled Yellow Perch ranged from 5.5 to 11.0 inches and averaged 7.0 inches. Due to the Yellow Perch size distribution 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 Black Crappie, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, 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 Wabana Lake?

Are there any state parks near Wabana Lake?