Lake Florida

How big is Lake Florida?

How deep is Lake Florida?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Florida?

What are the closest cities to Lake Florida?

Are there boat launches on Lake Florida?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Florida?

What are the fishing regulations for Lake Florida?

There are specific fishing regulations Lake Florida that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Florida?

A standard survey of Lake Florida was conducted in July of 2015. Florida is a moderately sized (705 acres), moderately deep (40 feet maximum), and low to moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Two public access sites are present on Florida with one boat ramp along the north side (DNR) and one shore fishing site on the west side. The shore fishing site is located on the west side of the outlet dike area (DNR owned). Residential development (220 homes and 1 resort) has occurred throughout the shoreline area with exception to a portion of the south side owned by the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. The immediate shoreline area is mostly residential development with lesser amounts of wetlands and hardwoods. The surrounding watershed consists of marshlands, croplands, and hardwoods with some pasture and grasslands. The outlet is a fixed concrete sill which flows into the shallow wetland/creek complex known as the Florida Sloughs near the southwest corner of the lake. Florida is connected to several periodic winterkill and non-winterkill lakes (Norway, Games, Andrew) via Shakopee Creek. Water clarity was good (secchi reading=10.0 feet) during the 2015 July survey. Water levels were below normal during the spring and fall, but normal during the summer of 2015. Emergent vegetation (bulrush) is sparse in Florida. Submergent vegetation densities within the lake are moderately abundant within the shallow (<15 feet deep) areas. A few stands of Eurasian watermilfoil was discovered in 2009, with several stands present in 2010 covering less than 15% of the water 15 feet deep or less. Currently, Eurasian watermilfoil stands are moderately abundant within the shallow areas. Zebra mussel veligers were first sampled in water samples taken during the late summer of 2016. DNR personnel will continue follow up sampling for veliger and adult zebra mussels in Florida. Shoalwater substrates are primarily sand, gravel and rubble along with a few areas with silt, muck, and clay. Florida has been managed for Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Black Crappie.

The nearby connected Florida Sloughs often act as an excellent spawning/nursery area for various fish species such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Common Carp, and Black Bullhead. A swinging finger fish barrier is attached to the outlet sill. However, small sized fish (fingerlings/yearlings) can easily move between the steel fingers of the barrier. High spring flows can also reduce the effectiveness of the barrier by allowing adults passage in or out of the Florida Sloughs.

Northern Pike numbers were overly abundant in 2015 (25.67 fish/gillnet) as compared to the normal range and Florida historical average (7.08 fish/gillnet). The 2015 Northern Pike average size was small (1.58 pounds and 19.4 inches) compared to the historical average (2.12 pounds) from gillnets. There were no Northern Pike greater than 28.00 inches captured in the 2015 gillnet and trapnet catch. Northern Pike growth rates are slow in Florida. Small Northern Pike can often move into Florida Lake via the outlet from the Florida Sloughs during high water events. Present high Northern Pike numbers are probably negatively affecting numbers of other fish species such as Yellow Perch and small sized Walleye.

Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2015 (0.67 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range and Florida historical average (32.95 fish/gillnet). Yellow Perch abundance was considerably higher (49.40 fish/gillnet) in the previous 2010 survey.

Walleye numbers were moderate in 2015 (5.67 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range, but below the Florida historical average (10.82 fish/gillnet). The 2015 Walleye average size was moderately large (2.28 pounds and 17.6 inches) compared to the historical average (1.72 pounds) from gillnets. The Walleye population is due primarily to stocking. Florida was recently stocked with Walleye in the 2009 (22,299 fingerlings, 2,008 pounds), 2011 (19,233 fingerlings, 965 pounds; 1,410 yearlings, 290 pounds), 2013 (23,502 fingerlings, 1,130 pounds) and 2015 (4,135 fingerlings, yearlings and adults combined, 1,681 pounds). In recent years, larger sized Walleye fingerlings, yearlings and adults have been stocked to increase survivability in lakes with higher Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass populations like Florida.

Largemouth Bass numbers were high in 2015 (2.67 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range. The 2015 Largemouth Bass average size was small (0.78 pounds and 11.1 inches) from gillnets. Abundant off shore stands of Eurasian milfoil provide favorable habitat and cover for various fish species such as Bluegill, Black Crappie, Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass in Florida.

Black Crappie numbers were low in 2015 (0.40 fish/trapnet) compared to Florida historical average (4.07 fish/trapnet). The 2015 Black Crappie average size was moderate in the trapnets (0.44 pounds and 8.49 inches), but larger in gillnets (0.63 pounds, 9.82 inches).

Bluegill numbers were abundant (49.90 fish/trapnet), but the average size was small (0.14 pounds, 5.5 inches). The Bluegill historical average catch rate and size was 31.56 fish/trapnet and 0.15 pounds respectively in Florida. There were very few Bluegill captured over 7.0 inches, however two Bluegill captured in survey nets were almost 10 inches.

Other fish species of interest captured in the 2015 survey included moderate numbers of Black Bullhead, abundant numbers of yellow bullhead, low numbers of Freshwater Drum "Sheepshead" and Common Carp. Both Yellow and Black Bullhead average sizes were moderately large (10.0 plus inches). Freshwater Drum average size was also large (17.1 inches).

Current fish management activities on Florida include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, monitoring invasive species abundance and treatments, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Florida fishery will be surveyed in the 2019 spring for Largemouth Bass and 2019 summer for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for Lake Florida?

Are there any state parks near Lake Florida?