Lac Qui Parle Lake

How big is Lac Qui Parle Lake?

How deep is Lac Qui Parle Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lac Qui Parle Lake?

What are the closest cities to Lac Qui Parle Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Lac Qui Parle Lake?

Are there boat launches on Lac Qui Parle Lake?

Show Boat Launches

Are there places to eat and drink near Lac Qui Parle Lake?

Show Places to Eat and Drink

What are the fishing regulations for Lac Qui Parle Lake?

Show More Fishing Regulations

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lac Qui Parle Lake?

Lac qui Parle Lake is a large (5,589 acres) class 41 lake in west central Minnesota located in Lac qui Parle, Chippewa, and Swift Counties. It is an impoundment of the Minnesota River, which is its major inlet and outlet. The lake is primarily managed for walleye and northern pike, but also provides fishing opportunities for yellow perch, crappie, and channel catfish. Walleye abundance appears to have declined for a second year in Lac qui Parle Lake. Walleye gill net catch per unit effort (CPUE) was 29.3 per net in 2005, 13.8 per net in 2006, and was only 6.2 per net during this survey. This catch rate is the lowest observation since 1989 and is well below the average range for Lac qui Parle Lake. Walleye averaged 16.5 inches long and 1.7 lbs. Three-year-old fish were the most abundant, with average growth. The decreased catch rate of walleye appears to be due to loss of fish from the 2001 year class coupled with inconsistent year classes. Based on walleye that have been aged from gill nets, the 2001 year class made up 37% of the sample in 2005 and 31% of the sample in 2006. During this survey, however, only 19% of the walleye were from the 2001 year class. The catch rate of young-of-year (YOY) walleye in 2001 was an unprecedented 1,012 YOY walleye per hour electrofishing. Since 2001, the number of YOY walleye per hour of electrofishing averaged only 12 per hour. This lack of YOY walleye has prompted the stocking of fingerling, yearling, and adult walleye into Lac qui Parle from 2004-2006. These stockings have likely kept the walleye population from declining further in Lac qui Parle. Walleye fry were stocked into Lac qui Parle in 2007. Prior to stocking, the fry were marked with oxytetracycline (OTC). Fall electrofishing for YOY walleye conducted during this survey resulted in 68 YOY walleye per hour, the highest catch rate since 2001. Evaluation of the OTC marks indicated that only 7.4% of the YOY walleye were stocked fish. To supplement the walleye population, 2,251 yearlings and 582 adults were stocked into Lac qui Parle in the spring and fall of 2007. Walleye frylings are planned to be stocked into Lac qui Parle in 2008. If the fryling stocking is unsuccessful and forage is abundant, walleye fingerlings will be stocked in the fall of 2008. Future assessments will allow for continued evaluation of the success of these stocked fish. Northern pike gill net CPUE (5.1) was similar to 2006 (4.8). This catch rate is within the interquartile range for Lac qui Parle (3.4-8 per net) but is still below the historic average catch of 5.9 per net. Pike sampled in 2007 averaged 3.8 lbs. and 25.6 inches long, similar to the average size in 2006 of 3.5 lbs. and 24.4 inches long. Pike from six year classes were sampled, but the 2005 year class (two years old) were the most abundant. Growth was fast compared to the Lac qui Parle average. White bass abundance in gill nets was lower than previous years. Gill nets sampled 13.4 white bass per net during this survey compared to 30.1 per net in 2006. Despite the decline, the 2007 catch rate was much higher than the upper quartile (5 per net) for Lac qui Parle. Average size was 10.3 inches and 0.5 lb. All white bass were less than three-years-old with the 2005 year class being the most abundant. Growth was slightly below average for Lac qui Parle. Black crappie CPUE in gill nets increased to a record high 16.8 per net in 2007. This increase is primarily due to an abundant 2005 year class. This year class made up 84% of the black crappie sampled. Black crappie average size increased from 7.7 inches long and 0.3 lb. in 2006 to 8.4 inches and 0.4 lb. in 2007. Growth was below average until age 2, after which growth was above average. Anglers should expect good fishing for black crappie during the next few years. Gill net CPUE of channel catfish declined from the record high 8.1 per gill net in 2006 to 5.9 per net in 2007. This catch rate is close to the upper quartile (6.4 per net) established for Lac qui Parle Lake. Catfish up to 29 inches long were sampled, but 55% were 15 inches or less. Other game fish species sampled in low abundance were bluegill, rock bass, white crappie, and yellow perch. Freshwater drum were sampled (55.3 per net) at record levels in 2007. Drum were small, with 90% being ten inches or less. Other common non-game fish sampled were black bullhead, common carp, white sucker, and redhorse. Future management activities planned for Lac qui Parle include monitoring of winter dissolved oxygen levels and fishing pressure, fish stocking as needed, fall population assessments and electrofishing for YOY walleye, and sampling for viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS).

What is the average air temp for Lac Qui Parle Lake?

Are there any state parks near Lac Qui Parle Lake?