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Frequently Asked Questions About West Jefferson Lake, MN
- How big is West Jefferson Lake?
- How deep is West Jefferson Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in West Jefferson Lake?
- What are the closest cities to West Jefferson Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the West Jefferson Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available West Jefferson Lake?
- Are there boat launches on West Jefferson Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near West Jefferson Lake?
- What is the average air temp for West Jefferson Lake?
- Are there any state parks near West Jefferson Lake?
How big is West Jefferson Lake?
How deep is West Jefferson Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in West Jefferson Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Bluntnose Minnow, Freshwater Drum, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Spottail Shiner and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to West Jefferson Lake?
Are there places to stay in the West Jefferson Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available West Jefferson Lake?
Are there boat launches on West Jefferson Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near West Jefferson Lake?
Explore the West Jefferson Lake area in a RV
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2020 Lightning Aluminum Enclosed 5-place Snowmobile Trailer
Lakeville, MN
What aquatic invasive species are found in West Jefferson Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
West Jefferson Lake is a 441 acre lake in Le Sueur County located northwest of Elysian. West Jefferson Lake is the smallest of the Jefferson lakes chain and has a maximum depth of 24 feet. A DNR owned public access is located on the northeast corner of the lake off Le Sueur County Road 15. West Jefferson Lake is managed to provide a bluegill and crappie fishery with secondary opportunities for northern pike, largemouth bass, and walleye. West Jefferson Lake was surveyed the week of August 5th, 2013 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. The 2013 survey consisted of deploying trap and gill nets to monitor the fish community.
Fish species such as bluegill, black crappie, and black bullhead were most abundant in the net catches. Bluegills had the highest abundance; they were captured in gill nets at a rate of 3.3 fish/net, and sampled in trap nets at a rate of 27.6 fish/net, which is average for a lake of this type. Bluegill lengths ranged from 2.5 to 8.9 inches, with a mean length of 5.2 inches. Black crappie were second-most abundant in the survey, they were caught at a rate of 13.1 fish/trap net and 6.6 fish/gill net (average abundances compared to similar lakes in Minnesota). Black bullheads were sampled at 14.3 fish/gill net, this is considerably less than gill net abundances observed in 2008 (104 fish/gill net) and in 2002 (149 fish/gill net). Black bullhead lengths averaged around 10.5 inches in total length, which is generally considered acceptable to most anglers.
Northern pike abundance increased from 2008 to 2013 with gill net catch rates of 1.5 fish/gill net and 6.0 fish/gill net, respectively. Northern pike abundances were relatively high compared to similar lakes in Minnesota. Total lengths of northern pike captured during 2013 ranged from 17.5 to 29.1 inches. Northern pike fry are stocked annually to sustain the population. Most of the northern pike sampled from this survey were apparently from the 2010 and 2011 stocked year classes, when 29,211 and 22,572 fry were stocked, respectively.
Only four largemouth bass were captured in nets during the 2013 survey. However, largemouth bass typically are not effectively sampled by nets; thus, these numbers may not reflect true abundance. The Jefferson chain remains a popular largemouth bass destination and location of bass angling tournaments which indicates that the lake supports a fishable bass population. The largemouth bass captured in nets during the 2013 survey ranged in length from 8.1 to 20.3 inches. Spring electrofishing should be conducted to properly assess the largemouth bass population in the Jefferson Lake chain.
Only two walleye were sampled in this survey; one 18.0 inches in total length and the other 26.0. A walleye maintenance stocking program has been in place at West Jefferson Lake to sustain the population. Walleye fry are stocked three of every four years. Common carp were sampled at a rate (3.67 fish/gill net) above average for this lake type. Yellow perch catch rates illustrated below-average abundances for this type of lake. Other fish surveyed include bigmouth buffalo, bowfin (dogfish), freshwater drum (sheephead), golden shiner, white sucker, pumpkinseed, and yellow bullhead.
Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in West Jefferson Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.
Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural, undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.
-Prepared by: Matt Mork, Fisheries Specialist.
What is the average air temp for West Jefferson Lake?
Are there any state parks near West Jefferson Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
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More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around West Jefferson Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Middle Jefferson Lake | 1.8 mi | 667 | 8 ft |
Lake Washington | 2.6 mi | 1,519 | 51 ft |
Swede's Bay Lake | 2.8 mi | 507 | 6 ft |
Scotch Lake | 3.2 mi | 598 | 11 ft |
East Jefferson Lake | 3.3 mi | 685 | 37 ft |
George Lake | 3.6 mi | 88 | 28 ft |
Duck Lake | 4.0 mi | 290 | 25 ft |
Ballantyne Lake | 4.4 mi | 371 | 58 ft |
German Lake | 4.9 mi | 792 | 51 ft |
Lake Emily | 5.2 mi | 300 | 37 ft |