Wasson Lake

How big is Wasson Lake?

How deep is Wasson Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Wasson Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Wasson Lake?

Wasson Lake is located about 22 miles north of Taconite, MN, within the Mississippi River Watershed. The 415 acre lake has 208 littoral acres with a 67 foot max depth. The shoreline is moderately developed with very little public ownership. There is one resort with eight cabins and 45 private dwellings. Diverse aquatic plant life can be found along the 8.2 mile shoreline. Yellow iris was noted as being present around the shoreline. This species is noted as having invasive characteristics and is proposed to become a regulated exotic species. There is no public access to the lake.

Northern pike were sampled within the expected range for lakes similar to Wasson and similar to the previous assessment. The pike fishery can be characterized as having a modest size structure indicated by a 20 inch average and a top length of 35 inches in the gill net sample. Scale analysis indicated eight consecutive ages were sampled with fish up to age-8 in the sample. Back calculated length-at-age indicated growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages. Northern pike averaged nearly 24 inches by age-5.

Black crappie were sampled at a rate exceeding the expected range in gill nets, similar to the previous assessment, while the trap net catch rate was lower than expected, also similar to the previous assessment. A moderate fishery exists for crappie with a few larger individuals in the population. Lengths ranged from 6.1-12.4 inches, in the gill net sample, with a mean length of 8.5 inches. Scale analysis indicated relatively consistent year classes with only one missing age class in seven years. Fish up to age nine were present in the sample. Back-calculated length-at-age indicated growth was slow early, but near the statewide average by age-3. Black crappie averaged 10 inches by age-6.

Bluegill were sampled at the upper end of the expected range, nearly double the previous assessment. Size structure was moderate with lengths from 2.9-9.2 inches and a 5.5 inch average. Scale analysis indicated consecutive age classes 3-9 were present in the sample. Growth was similar to the statewide average for lake class 25 up to age-6, whiles ages 7-9 were slightly faster. Bluegill averaged almost eight inches by age-7.

Yellow perch were sampled at a rate below the expected range, yet similar to the previous assessment. Lengths were typically too small to interest most anglers, averaging 6.7 inches.

Trap nets sampled two largemouth bass, 7.1 and 16.9 inches, age 2 and 7, respectively. This was the first assessment since 1970 to not sample smallmouth bass in any standard gear. Tullibee were not sampled in 2010, they had been present in every assessment except 1986. Gill nets sampled three walleye, with lengths from 19.3-22.6 inches. This was the first assessment to sample walleye since 1954. Records indicate no walleye stocking has occurred and the occurrence in the sample is likely resultant of illegal stocking activity.

Other species sampled in test netting included golden shiner, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, and white sucker. As part of IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling, Iowa darter, blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch were sampled in 5 seine hauls. Backpack electrofishing sampled bluegill, bluntnose minnow, central mudminnow, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, smallmouth bass, tadpole madtom, and yellow perch.

What is the average air temp for Wasson Lake?

Are there any state parks near Wasson Lake?