Ringo Lake

How big is Ringo Lake?

How deep is Ringo Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Ringo Lake?

What are the closest cities to Ringo Lake?

Are there boat launches on Ringo Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Ringo Lake?

A re-survey was conducted on Ringo Lake during mid-June of 2014. Ringo is a moderate sized (735 acres), shallow (10 feet maximum depth), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Ringo is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Total phosphorus levels were moderately high (0.066 ppm) for Ringo on June 9, 2014. Water clarity was poor (secchi=1.50 feet) and brown stained on June 16, 2014, but typical for Ringo Lake. Blue-green algae blooms are common during the late summer months on Ringo Lake. Sago pondweed has been the most frequently occurring submergent vegetation species in Ringo Lake. Submergent vegetation densities were generally low throughout the lake. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, cattails) was abundant throughout the lake, especially near the islands, bay areas, and peninsulas. Shoalwater substrates consist primarily of sand, detritus, silt, and gravel. A public shore fishing area is located along the north shore of Ringo. A public access boat ramp is located along the northwest corner. The immediate watershed consists primarily of wetlands, hardwoods, agricultural row crops, gravel pits, asphalt plant, and residential housing. There were 27 homes located along the Ringo lakeshore in 2014. Several new homes were constructed along the northwest corner within the past ten years. A new housing development is occurring along the southwest side of the lake. There are seven inlets that enter Ringo Lake. The largest inlet drains a large cattail marsh area "Ringo-Nest Wildlife Management Area" into Ringo Lake. Ringo connects to the Henderson outlet via a marsh during high water. This connection is a potential watershed breach to the Middle Fork of Crow River Watershed via Nest Lake. The Ringo outlet drains into Long Lake. Water levels were high during June and July of 2014. A slow no-wake zone was put in place for lakes in Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties during June thru early July of 2014. The DNR Spicer Fisheries Office manages Ringo for walleye, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie.

Bluegill numbers were low in 2014 (1.22 fish/trapnet), but similar to the historical average of 1.87 fish/trapnet. The bluegill average size was large (0.45 pounds and 7.78 inches) from trapnets in 2014. The bluegill historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets. Bluegill growth rates were excellent.

Black crappie numbers were abundant in 2014 (13.00 fish/trapnet) compared to similar lakes, but below the historical average of 20.27 fish/trapnet. The 2014 black crappie average size was moderate (0.31 pounds and 7.84 inches) from trapnets. The black crappie historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets. There were abundant numbers of moderate sized and larger (8.00 plus inches) black crappie (7.00 fish/trapnet) in the trapnets. Black crappie growth rates were moderate. The majority of black crappie captured were from the 2012 and 2010 year classes.

Northern pike numbers were abundant in 2014 (8.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average of 4.39 fish/gillnet for Ringo. The 2014 northern pike average size was small (2.12 pounds and 21.47 inches) from gillnets. The northern pike historical average weight is 2.93 pounds from gillnets. The 2014 catch rate of moderate sized northern pike (21.00 plus inches) was high (4.00 fish/gillnet) and above the historical average (2.50 fish/gillnet). Northern pike growth rates were poor to fair. The 2011 year class comprised 45% of the 2014 northern pike catch.

Walleye numbers were low in 2014 (6.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average of 20.67 fish/gillnet. Walleye numbers were also low in the 2014 trapnets (0.78 fish/trapnet, 1.45 pounds average size). The 2014 walleye average size was moderate (1.23 pounds and 14.95 inches) from gillnets. The walleye historical average weight is 1.00 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were poor to fair for ages 1-3, but moderate for ages 4-6. The 2011 year class (fry stocked year) comprised 70% of the 2014 walleye catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Ringo is frequent, but variable for successful year classes produced. Walleye fry were recently stocked (approximately 540,000 fish) into Ringo Lake during 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. Fall electrofishing surveys have been conducted to evaluate spring walleye fry stockings. There were abundant young of year "YOY" walleye numbers captured in the 2013 (96.67 YOY/hour, 4.92 inches average length) and 2011 (210.00 YOY/hour, 4.51 inches average length) fall electrofishing surveys.

Yellow perch numbers were low in 2014 (1.50 fish/gillnet) compared to similar lakes. The yellow perch historical average catch rate is 1.45 fish/gillnet for Ringo. The yellow perch average size was moderate (0.15 pounds and 6.92 inches) from gillnets. The yellow perch historical average weight is 0.14 pounds from gillnets. Yellow perch growth rates were moderate to excellent.

Largemouth bass numbers were fair in 2014 trapnets (0.44 fish/trapnet) for Ringo. The 2014 largemouth bass average size was 2.28 pounds. Growth rates were excellent. Although hardstem bulrush stands are abundant within Ringo, poor clarity and sparse submergent vegetation generally limits largemouth bass survival and numbers.

Black bullhead numbers were low in 2014 (8.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average of 33.16 fish/gillnet. Black bullhead numbers were also low in the 2014 trapnets (8.22 fish/trapnet, 0.90 pounds average weight). The black bullhead average size was large (0.74 pounds and 10.85 inches) from gillnets. The black bullhead historical average weight is 0.46 pounds from gillnets.

Carp numbers were moderate in 2014 (3.00 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average of 3.79 fish/trapnet. The carp average size was large (6.28 pounds and 23.29 inches) from trapnets. The carp historical average weight is 3.42 pounds from trapnets.

Current fish management activities on Ringo include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the county with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Ringo Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2015 fall for young of year walleye and the 2019 summer for all fish species.

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Are there any state parks near Ringo Lake?