Loon Lake

How big is Loon Lake?

How deep is Loon Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Loon Lake?

Are there boat launches on Loon Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Loon Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Loon Lake?

Loon Lake is a 738-acre lake with a maximum depth of 8 feet, located in Jackson County, approximately 10 miles south of the City of Lakefield near the Iowa-Minnesota border. The surrounding land use of Loon Lake is largely agricultural, resulting in excessive nutrient loading and typically turbid water. There are 2 large drainage ditches that contribute to the poor water quality in the Loon Lake Watershed. Historically, Loon Lake was susceptible to regularly occurring winterkill situations. In 1982, a Helixor aeration system was installed and has, for the most part, reduced the frequency of winterkill, with the most recent severe winterkill occurring during the winter of 2013-2014. Loon Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike. A survey was conducted the week of June 27, 2016 to monitor fish populations using four gill nets and 12 trap nets.

The 2016 Walleye catch rate was the highest catch rate recorded for Loon Lake at 30.3 per gill net, exceeding the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.3 to 18.1 per gill net) and the long term average of 10.7 per gill net. Fifty-eight percent of the Walleye were age-2 (2014 year class), likely a result of fry and/or fingerling stockings that occurred in 2014 following the partial winterkill. Strong year class success in not uncommon following winterkill events. Twenty-seven percent were age-1 (2015 year class), and 13 percent were age-3 (2013 year class), both of which corresponded to stocking events. Walleye lengths ranged from 8.4 to 26.8 inches and averaged 14.3 inches. Walleye growth was fast, as mean length at age-3 was 17.0 inches. Walleye fry are stocked 3 of 4 years at 500 per littoral acre. Following the winterkill in 2013-2014, Walleye fingerlings were stocked in 2014 and 2015, with the 2015 stocking being the Lower Mississippi Strain (LMS; Lake Sarah spawn-take). The goal is to infuse LMS genetics to create a Walleye population that may become self-sustaining through natural reproduction in the time. Good Walleye fishing was reported throughout the year in 2016, and should continue into 2017.

The Yellow Perch catch rate was 5.5 per gill net in 2016, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net) and is the highest catch rate in the last two decades. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 6.3 to 12.2 inches and averaged 8.6 inches. While the 2016 catch rate is low enough that anglers shouldn't expect to catch a lot of Perch, enough brood stock Yellow Perch should be present to produce a strong year class when conditions are favorable.

The Black Crappie catch rate of 0.6 per trap net was less than the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net) and was below the long term average of 3.3 per trap net. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 5.3 to 13.2 inches and averaged 8.7 inches. Three year classes were present, indicating that natural reproduction is occurring, and a strong year class could be produced when conditions are favorable. Additionally, Loon Lake is connected to Pearl Lake and Rush Lake, so movement of crappies among these lakes should provide an angling opportunity.

Six Northern Pike were captured in the 2016 survey with lengths ranging from 15.8 to 28.4 inches and averaging 24.4 inches. The catch rate of 0.3 per gill net was below the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.1 to 8.0 per gill net). To bolster the population, 475 adult Northern Pike (approx. 2 pounds apiece) were stocked in December of 2016, and should provide good angling in 2017.

The Black Bullhead catch rate was 20.3 per gill net and 1.3 per trap net, both below the expected catches for similar lakes. Black Bullhead lengths ranged from 4.7 to 14.8 inches and averaged 8.9 inches. Common Carp catch rates were 4.8 per gill net and 8.3 per trap net, both above the long term average for each gear. The Bigmouth Buffalo catch rate was 1.0 per gill net which is low compared to similar lakes. Channel Catfish catch rates were low at 0.8 per gill net and 0.1 per trap net, well below the long term averages. Freshwater Drum catch rates were 1.3 per gill net and 0.1 per trap net. Other species sampled included White Sucker, Bluegill, Orangespotted Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Loon Lake?

Are there any state parks near Loon Lake?