Norway Lake

How big is Norway Lake?

How deep is Norway Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Norway Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Norway Lake?

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Norway Lake

Are there boat launches on Norway Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Norway Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Norway Lake?

A standard survey was conducted on Norway Lake during late July of 2015. Norway is a large sized (2,339 acres), moderately deep (33 feet maximum depth), multi basin (West Norway, Big Norway, Little Norway), and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. West Norway basin (approximately 1,300 acres) is a shallow (<10 feet deep), turbid, and windswept basin with high nutrient levels. Little Norway basin (150 acres) is a protected and shallow (<10 feet deep) basin with abundant aquatic vegetation. Little Norway basin connects to Games Lake via a narrow outlet channel. The Big Norway basin (approximately 900 acres) is 33 feet deep maximum with moderate aquatic vegetation densities and moderate water clarity. Norway receives moderate recreational and angling use in the summer from local residents, visitors to the resorts, and lakeshore homeowners. The immediate watershed is mostly agricultural row crops with lesser amounts of residential development, wetlands and hardwood stands. There are 8 inlets that flow into the various Norway basins and an outlet channel that flows into Games Lake. Two large inlets (Kandiyohi County Ditches 27 & 29) drain significant agricultural runoff into the West Norway basin. Nutrient levels are variable generally from high to moderate in the lake. Water levels were low during the spring and fall, but normal during the 2015 summer.

Water clarity was fair to poor during July of 2015 (secchi reading=3.4 feet). Blue-green algae blooms are common and sometimes intense during late summer especially in the West Norway basin. The Engen Northern Pike Spawning Area (1979 acquired) is located on the southwest shore of the West Norway basin. There are two Norway Aquatic Management Area "AMA" tracts (Larson and Little Norway). The Larson Tract (2011 acquired) is located along a channel between the main and West Norway basins. The Little Norway Tract (2014 acquired) is located on the southwest side of Little Norway and north side of the main basin. Emergent vegetation consists of scattered stands of cattails and hardstem bulrush in all three basins. Submergent vegetation density is usually light to moderate consisting mostly of sago pondweed, bushy pondweed, wild celery, muskgrass, northern milfoil, Eurasian watermilfoil, coontail, clasping-leaf pondweed and water moss within the shallow areas (< 15 feet deep). Eurasian watermilfoil was found scattered throughout the West Norway basin in August of 2001 and in the Big Norway basin during 2005. Eurasian watermilfoil is currently present at low to moderate densities in all three basins and recently in connected Games Lake (2014). Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, silt, gravel, rubble, and boulder in Norway. Norway is managed for Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie.

The Upper Shakopee Creek Watershed includes Norway and several downstream connected lakes (Games, Swan, Henchien, Middle, Andrew and Florida). The two large Kandiyohi County Ditches (CD 27 & 29) upstream of Norway are considered the headwaters of Shakopee Creek. An intensive watershed study of water flow and nutrient runoff was conducted on Andrew, Games, and Norway Lakes in addition to associated inlets from 1996-1998. Presently, a group of private landowners and public conservation agency personnel are involved in the Shakopee Creek Watershed Project. The Shakopee Creek Watershed group continues to monitor water quality and flows in the watershed, and encourages landowners to implement best management practices through grant funding, utilizing existing government programs, education, and technical assistance.

Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2015 (6.40 fish/gillnet) compared to the Norway historical average (17.33 fish/gillnet). The 2015 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.11 pounds and 6.3 inches) from gillnets.

Northern Pike numbers were low in 2015 (0.40 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range and Norway historical average (5.07 fish/gillnet). Northern Pike catches have been below 1.0 fish per gillnet the last three surveys. The 2015 Northern Pike average size was large (8.60 pounds and 34.1 inches) from gillnets. Norway has a history of producing large Northern Pike per local reports. There is adequate Northern Pike spawning habitat within Norway and adjacent upstream wetland areas, however natural reproduction or recruitment has been poor in recent years. The Engen Northern Pike Spawning Area "NPSA" had been used to produce modest Northern Pike fingerling numbers in past years. However, the spawning area structure was in need of repair in recent years. The Engen NPSA water control structure and dike was repaired with cooperation from the West Central Chapter of the Minnesota Darkhouse & Angling Association in 2012. However, low water prevented the use of Engen NPSA in 2014 and 2015. Northern Pike were recently stocked from a variety of sources in 2013 (383 fingerlings, 98 adults; Engen NPSA), 2014 (702 adults; winter rescue source) and 2015 (9,532 fingerlings; New London Hatchery Pond Production).

Bluegill numbers were moderate in 2015 (15.18 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 20.86 fish/trapnet. The 2015 Bluegill average size was small to moderate (0.15 pounds and 5.7 inches) from trapnets. However, there were also moderate numbers of large (8.0-10.2 inches) Bluegill captured in the 2015 trapnets.

Black Crappie numbers were abundant (18.41 fish/trapnet), but the average size (0.15 pounds and 5.8 inches average) was small in 2015, due in part to the young and large 2014 year class. The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 9.74 fish/trapnet. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.28 pounds from trapnets. There were moderate numbers of Black Crappie greater than 8.0 inches captured in the 2015 trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were moderate in Norway

Largemouth Bass numbers were moderate (30.40 fish/hour) in the 2015 spring electrofishing survey. The 2015 Largemouth Bass average size (1.07 pounds and 11.7 inches) was also moderate. There were low numbers of Largemouth Bass greater than 15.0 inches in the 2015 spring electrofishing catch. The previous Norway spring electrofishing survey for Largemouth Bass was conducted during 2001 (71.43 fish/hour, 12.4 inches average length).

Walleye numbers were moderately abundant in 2015 (8.40 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range and Norway historical average (6.92 fish/gillnet). The 2015 Walleye average size was moderate (1.36 pounds and 15.2 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.67 pounds from gillnets. There were abundant numbers of Walleye greater than 15.0 inches in the 2015 survey nets. The 2012 year class comprised almost half of the 2015 Walleye gillnet and trapnet catch. Walleye natural reproduction is sporadic and usually marginal in Norway. The Walleye population has been maintained by various Walleye stockings. Fall electrofishing surveys have been used to monitor natural reproduction or Walleye stocking success (fry, fryling). Young of Year "YOY" (fingerling size) Walleye numbers in fall electrofishing surveys were abundant during 2010 (72.00 YOY/hour, fry stocking and natural); moderate in 2012 (32.00 YOY/hour, fry stocking and natural) and 2014 (50.00 YOY/hour, fryling stocking and natural); low in 2011 (14.00 YOY/hour, natural), 2013 (4.00 YOY/hour, natural) and 2015 (16.00 YOY/hour, natural). Yearling Walleye numbers were moderately abundant (14.00-22.00 fish/hour) in 2010-2012 and 2014, but low in 2013 (0.00 fish/hour) and 2015 (4.00 fish/hour) fall electrofishing surveys.

Walleye fry (1.6 - 3.8 million) were stocked recently in Norway from 2007-2010 and 2012. Walleye frylings were stocked in 2011 (16,779 fish) and 2014 (33,373 fish). Marked (fryling stocked) fish accounted for 0% and 42% respectively of the 2011 and 2014 YOY Walleye fall electrofishing catch rates. A combination of Walleye fingerlings, adults and yearlings were stocked in 2008 (85,235 fingerlings, 1,864 pounds), 2009 (11,651 yearlings, 987 pounds; 318 fingerlings, 91 pounds; 360 adults, 287 pounds), 2011 (15,477 fingerlings, 737 pounds; 1,400 yearlings, 200 pounds; 3 adults, 6 pounds) and 2012 (16,842 yearlings, 802 pounds).

Black Bullhead numbers were almost nonexistent in 2015 survey nets (0.06 fish/trapnet, 0.00 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rates are 1.64 fish/trapnet and 3.53 fish/gillnet for Norway. The 2015 Black Bullhead average weight and length were 0.22 pounds and 7.4 inches from trapnets.

Freshwater Drum "Sheepshead" were overly abundant in 2015 (46.60 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range and Norway historical average (21.03 fish/gillnet). It was the second recorded highest catch for Norway. The 2015 Freshwater Drum average size was small (0.71 pounds and 10.93 inches) from gillnets. The Freshwater Drum historical average weight is 1.07 pounds from gillnets.

Common Carp numbers were low in 2015 (0.71 fish/trapnet) compared to the Norway historical average (1.61 fish/trapnet). The 2015 Common Carp average size was large (10.94 pounds and 28.32 inches) from trapnets. The historical average weight is 9.72 pounds from trapnets.

Current fish management activities on Norway include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring and preventing the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil in connected waters, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for other potential invasive species introductions, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, participating in the Shakopee Creek Watershed Project, operating the Engen Northern Pike Spawning Area, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Norway fishery will be sampled in the 2019 summer for all fish species and 2016 for YOY Walleye.

What is the average air temp for Norway Lake?

Are there any state parks near Norway Lake?