Lake Elizabeth

How big is Lake Elizabeth?

How deep is Lake Elizabeth?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Elizabeth?

Are there boat launches on Lake Elizabeth?

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Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Elizabeth?

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A population assessment of Lake Elizabeth was conducted during mid June of 2002. Elizabeth is a large (1,054 acres), shallow (9 feet maximum depth), and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Partial winterkills have occurred in Elizabeth, but are generally rare. An aeration system (two surface aerators) has been available for use on Elizabeth since the 1999-2000 winter. The aeration system was used in the 2000-2001 winter, but has not been used since due to good winter oxygen levels. Moderate nutrient runoff inflows are possible into Elizabeth during rain events from agricultural sources via the shoreline areas, tiles, and ditches. Elizabeth is connected to two small lakes (Ella & Carrie) during moderate to high water level conditions. An outlet structure is located on the southeast side of the lake. The outlet connects to a shallow winterkill marsh/lake (Johnson Lake). Water levels in the 2002 spring were below normal, but normal by late summer. High densities of submergent vegetation (curly-leaf pondweed, northern water milfoil) were present during the spring and summer of 2002. Water clarity was fair to poor during late June of 2002 in Elizabeth. Hardwood trees and adjacent wetland areas surround the shoreline. An aquatic management area (Lake Elizabeth AMA) along the south shore was purchased in 2000. Residential development is limited to primarily the north and west portion of the lake. Yellow perch numbers were moderate in 2002 (9.0 fish/gillnet), but below the historical average (19.2 fish/gillnet). The 2002 yellow perch average size was moderate (0.22 lbs. and 7.4 inches) from gillnets. The largest yellow perch captured was 10.3 inches from the 2002 assessment. Northern pike numbers were high in 2002 (10.7 fish/gillnet) and above the historical average (6.5 fish/gillnet). The 2002 northern pike average size was small (1.76 lbs. and 19.4 inches) from gillnets. The largest northern pike captured was 29.9 inches in the 2002 assessment. Northern pike growth rates were above average in Elizabeth compared to area lakes. Approximately 88% of the northern pike captured in 2002 assessment were hatched in 2001. Bluegill numbers were moderate to abundant in 2002 (26.1 fish/trapnet) and the highest recorded value for Elizabeth. The 2002 bluegill average size was small (0.05 lbs. and 3.6 inches) from trapnets. The largest bluegill captured was 8.5 inches in the 2002 assessment. Black crappie numbers were moderate in 2002 (6.2 fish/trapnet) and above the historical average (3.8 fish/trapnet) for Elizabeth. The 2002 black crappie average size was small (0.08 lbs. and 5.0 inches) from trapnets. The largest black crappie captured was 7.8 inches from the 2002 assessment. Approximately 81% of the black crappie captured in 2002 assessment were hatched in 2001. Largemouth bass numbers were moderate (26.0 fish/hour) in Elizabeth during the 2002 spring electrofishing survey. Low numbers of largemouth bass were captured in a previous 1991 spring electrofishing survey (5.3 fish/hour, 14.7 inches average length). The 2002 largemouth bass average size was moderate to large (2.54 lbs. and 14.51 inches) from the 2002 spring electrofishing survey. The largest largemouth bass captured was 18.7 inches from the 2002 spring electrofishing survey. The catch rate of preferred size (15.0 inches) and larger largemouth bass was high (14.0 fish/hour) in the 2002 spring electrofishing survey. Largemouth bass growth rates in Elizabeth were within or above the normal ranges for ages 1-7 compared to area lakes. Walleye numbers were moderate in 2002 (8.0 fish/gillnet), but above the historical average catch rate (6.1 fish/gillnet) for Elizabeth. The 2002 walleye average size was large (3.20 lbs. and 19.7 inches) from gillnets. The largest walleye captured was 24.5 inches in the 2002 assessment. Walleye growth rates in Elizabeth were above the normal ranges for ages 2-5 compared to area lakes. The percentage of total walleye numbers captured in the 2002 assessment included 36% and 30% respectively from 1997 and 1999 fry stocked year classes. The catch rate of quality size (15.0 inches) and larger walleye was high (7.3 fish/gillnet) in 2002. Walleye natural reproduction in Elizabeth is generally insignificant or rare based on previous fall and summer surveys. No fall electrofishing surveys were conducted during 2002. Elizabeth was stocked with 944,280 walleye fry in the spring of 2001. Black bullhead numbers were abundant in 2002 (111.3 fish/gillnet) and above the historical average catch rate (37.1 fish/gillnet) in Elizabeth. The 2002 black bullhead average size was small (0.15 lbs. and 6.7 inches) from gillnets. The largest black bullhead captured was 14.7 inches in the 2002 assessment. Carp numbers were moderate in 2002 (3.0 fish/gillnet), but below the historical average catch rate (5.8 fish/gillnet) for Elizabeth. The 2002 carp average size was small (1.25 lbs. and 11.4 inches) from gillnets. The largest carp captured was 26.2 inches in the 2002 assessment. Current fish management activities on Elizabeth include monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting Kandiyohi County in operating the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, and stocking walleye fry every other year. The Elizabeth fishery will be surveyed in the 2006 summer for all fish species. Fall electrofishing surveys will be conducted during walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

What is the average air temp for Lake Elizabeth?