Roemhildts Lake

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Roemhildts Lake

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Introduction
Roemhildts Lake is a small, 71 acre lake located in Le Sueur County northwest of Elysian. Roemhildts Lake has a maximum depth of 60 feet and about 44 acres of littoral area. A DNR-maintained public access is located on the northwest corner of the lake. Roemhildts Lake is one of the clearer lakes in the area and has very little residential development. The lake is home to an abundant and diverse aquatic plant community, including northern watermilfoil, water lilies, coontail, and numerous pondweed species, which provide valuable fish habitat. Most of the riparian zone is wooded and intact. Roemhildts Lake is classified in Lake Class 30 based on limnological variables and lake characteristics. Other lakes in this classification include George Lake (Blue Earth County), Steele Lake (Le Sueur County), and Kelly-Dudley Lake (Rice County). Roemhildts Lake is managed primarily for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Bluegill and secondarily for Black Crappie. No fish stocking takes place in Roemhildts Lake.

Roemhildts Lake was surveyed the week of July 5, 2016 by the MN DNR as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program. This survey included deploying 3 gill nets and 9 trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Since Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in nets, electrofishing was conducted on May 16, 2016 to assess the Largemouth Bass population. Roemhildts Lake is scheduled to be surveyed again in 2022.

Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass are unique in that they are not effectively sampled in regular survey gears (gill and trap nets). To sample an index of the population, targeted sampling using an electrofishing boat is required. Electrofishing was conducted on May 16, 2016 to target and assess the Largemouth Bass population in Roemhildts Lake. Given the small size of the lake, the entire shoreline was electrofished. The catch rate was 106.3 fish/hour, which was higher than the long-term average of 88.8 fish/hour. Two fish were also sampled in gill nets (0.7 fish/net). The size structure was generally small, as the lengths ranged from 3.3 to 16.7 inches and averaged 9.3 inches. The woody debris along the shoreline, diverse aquatic vegetation, and relatively clear water in Roemhildts Lake provide ideal Largemouth Bass habitat. The Largemouth Bass population persists through natural reproduction. Spring electrofishing surveys targeting Largemouth Bass will complement each Standard Survey that is completed on Roemhildts Lake (every six years).

Northern Pike
The Northern Pike gill net catch rate was 4.7 fish/net, which was slightly higher than the long-term average for Roemhildts Lake (3.9 fish/net). Throughout survey history, the Northern Pike population level has remained steady, ranging only from 1.7 to 6.0 fish/gill net since 1981. Northern Pike were also sampled in trap nets, but in low abundance (0.6 fish/net). The lengths of Northern Pike averaged 21.4 inches and ranged from 14.2 to 31.4 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 7 years old. Most (71%) of the aged fish were age-2. The average length at capture was 17.4 inches at age-2 and 20.0 inches at age-3.

Bluegill
Bluegills were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 34.2 fish/net, which was lower than the long-term average for Roemhildts Lake (43.5 fish/net). Bluegills were also sampled in gill nets at a rate of 6.0 fish/net. Lengths ranged from 2.9 to 9.3 inches and averaged 6.7 inches. Eighty percent of all Bluegills measured quality length (6.0 inches) or larger. Ages ranged from 1 to 7 years old. The average length at capture was 3.4 inches at age-1, 3.7 inches at age-2, 4.6 inches at age-3, 5.7 inches at age-4, 7.0 inches at age-5, 7.7 inches at age-6, and 7.8 inches at age-7. Numerous year classes were present, which suggested that Bluegill natural reproduction is not limited in Roemhildts Lake.

Black Crappie
Black Crappie abundance has remained low throughout survey history. The 2016 catch rate was 1.2 fish/trap net, which was below the long-term average for Roemhildts Lake (3.4 fish/net). The lengths of Black Crappies averaged 9.0 inches and ranged from 7.0 to 11.2 inches, which suggested a respectable size structure. Black Crappies ranged from 2 to 6 years old. The average length at capture was 7.4 inches at age-2 and 9.0 inches at age-3. Black Crappies are not stocked in Roemhildts Lake.

Other Species
Pumpkinseed sunfish were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 3.4 fish/net, which was above the long-term average of 1.2 fish/net. Pumpkinseed lengths averaged 6.7 inches and ranged from 5.3 to 7.4 inches. Hybrid sunfish were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 7.1 fish/net and averaged 7.1 inches. Hybrid sunfish are common in lakes with strong Bluegill and Pumpkinseed populations. A total of 79 Yellow Bullheads were sampled in gill nets (3.0 fish/net) and in trap nets (7.8 fish/net). These fish averaged 12.2 inches. Yellow Bullheads prefer lakes with clearer water, like Roemhildts Lake. Other fish species sampled in low abundance included Yellow Perch, Bowfin, Common Carp, and Brown Bullhead.

Angling Summary
With its clear water, abundant vegetation, and mostly unaltered shoreline, Roemhildts Lake offers a valuable fishing experience that is getting more difficult to find in southern Minnesota. Largemouth Bass abundance was high at the time of this survey and there was lots of structure to target fish. Bluegill were also worth targeting, as fish 6.0 inches and longer were plentiful.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

-Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

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