Lake Shaokatan

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INTRODUCTION

Lake Shaokotan is a 995-acre, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) class 41 lake located near the City of Ivanhoe in Lincoln County. Shaokotan has a maximum depth of 10.0 feet, with a majority of the lake between 5 and 8 feet. Shaokotan has a watershed that is dominated by agriculture. Excessive nutrient runoff from neighboring agricultural fields and developed shorelines in the past has contributed to extensive algae blooms in the lake during the summer. Lake Shaokotan's shoreline has been altered extensively, as it is one of the most residentially developed lakes in the Windom fisheries area. In areas with residential development, lawns are typically maintained to the water's edge and shorelines are altered with rock riprap or sand blankets, thereby disrupting the natural riparian buffer. Lake Shaokotan was part of a Clean Water Partnership effort involving Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MN PCA), MN DNR, local groups, and local units of government. A watershed restoration program was initiated in late 1991. Actions to reduce nutrient loading were in place by 1995. These actions resulted in a 58% reduction in phosphorus inputs into the lake. More recently, Lake Shaokotan was chosen to be included in another long term monitoring program, Sustaining Lakes in a Changing Environment (SLICE). SLICE lakes are monitored more frequently to assess the past and present physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, and to make inferences about the current health of habitats and fish in Minnesota lakes. Lake Shaokotan is managed for Walleye, Yellow Perch and Northern Pike. Walleye fry are presently stocked 2 of every 3 years (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014). Yellow Perch in Lake Shaokotan have sustained their population through natural reproduction, therefore they are not stocked. Northern Pike stocking occurred in 2004 and 2008, with some natural reproduction documented since 2008. A population assessment was conducted during the week of July 27, 2015 to monitor fish populations using 3 gill nets and 12 trap nets.

Over the past 3 years, the aquatic vegetation community in Lake Shaokotan has expanded. Aquatic Vegetation surveys were done regularly as part of the SLICE monitoring program from 2008 to 2010. The aquatic vegetation coverage expanded from 8% in 2008 to 16% in 2010. Currently, the aquatic vegetation coverage was nearly 100% during August of 2015. A committee representing the Lake Shaokotan Lake Association is currently working with the MN DNR to address the recreational conflict caused by the increase in aquatic vegetation and develop a lake vegetation management plan (LVMP). The LVMP will potentially allow the Lake Association to chemically treat up to 15% of the lake with herbicide or 50% of the lake with mechanical methods, or a combination, to remove aquatic vegetation if deemed appropriate due to sustained coverage of aquatic vegetation. The following information details the fish community information and the potential effect of increasing aquatic vegetation in Lake Shaokotan.


WALLEYE

Since 1967, Walleye catch rates have averaged 15.8 per gill net and varied from 5.3 per gill net in 1992 to 34.5 per gill net in 1983. Since 2008, Lake Shaokotan has been surveyed annually except in 2012. From 2008 to 2013 Walleye gill net catch rates exceeded the statewide expected catch rate of 15.3 per gill net for class 41 lakes. In 2015 the catch rate was above the class 41 statewide average of 7.7 per gill net at 10.3 per gill net. The 2015 trap net catch rate of 2.3 per trap net was above the expected range of catch rates for class 41 lakes statewide (0.3 to 1.7 per trap net). Walleye ranged in length from just shy of 7 inches to nearly 28 inches and averaged 20 inches in gill nets and 16 inches in trap nets. Twenty-eight percent of Walleye in the gill net and trap net sample were between 13 and 20 inches and 52% of the Walleye in the gill net and trap sample were over 20 inches. The increase in vegetation in Lake Shaokotan corresponds to a drop in gill net catch rates from 18.3 to 23.3 per gill net from 2008 to 2013 to 10.6 and 10.3 in 2014 and 2015 respectively. While the catch rates are down, the population may not be, it may simply be harder to catch the fish. The catchability of walleye in gill nets could be affected by the abundant aquatic vegetation and thereby causing walleye to avoid the net. There are good numbers of age groups of Walleye in Lake Shaokotan with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 year old fish present in the lake. Some natural reproduction does occur in Lake Shaokotan as the 1, 4, and 7 year old fish do not correspond to stocking events. A previous study conducted by the University of Minnesota also documented natural reproduction and suggested that up to 30 percent of the Lake Shaokatan Walleye population was from natural reproduction. With 28% of Walleye between 13 and 20 inches and 52% of Walleye larger than 20 inches along with an average catch rate of 10.3 per gill net, anglers should have a good chance to have good walleye angling. The 2013 and 2014 year classes appear to be high in abundance (36% of aged sample) and should help to add to the fishery as they age and become more susceptible to angler's lures.


NORTHERN PIKE

Historically, Northern Pike have occurred in low abundance in Lake Shaokotan. In 2015, the Northern Pike catch rate increased to 4.0 per gill net which is the highest catch rate observed on Lake Shaokotan. Northern Pike captured in gill nets and trap nets ranged from 9 to 36 inches and averaged 22 inches in gill nets and nearly 25 inches in trap nets. Sampled Northern Pike less than 10 inches indicated some natural reproduction occurs in Lake Shaokotan (stocking has not occurred since 2008). Condition of Northern Pike was good suggesting that food is available and abundant. A high abundance of 5 to 6 inch Yellow Perch during the 2015 assessment should provide a good prey resource for Northern Pike for several years. Northern Pike catch rates have been increasing with the emergence of aquatic vegetation in Lake Shaokotan. The future outlook for Northern Pike looks good and fishing should be excellent over the next several years.


YELLOW PERCH

Yellow Perch catch rates in gill nets are up and down from year to year in Lake Shaokotan. The historical long-term gill net catch rate average is 41.8 per gill net. The long-term catch rate average is above the statewide expected catch rate range but within the SW MN expected catch rate range. In 2015, the gill net catch rate was the 3rd highest on record at 80.0 per gill net exceeding both the statewide and the SW MN expected catch rate ranges. The trap net catch rate was the highest ever observed at 53.8 per trap net. From 1967 to 2013 the catch rate was typically within the quartile ranges. Currently, the 2015 catch rate was above the statewide expected catch rate range. Additionally, catch rates in gill nets and trap nets indicates a Yellow Perch population that may be at abundances never seen before. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5 to 10 inches with an average length of nearly 8 inches in gill nets and just shy of 6 inches in trap nets. Over the next year, the Yellow Perch should grow and provide good numbers of harvestable sized fish. Finally, the increasing aquatic vegetation provides good spawning habitat for the high abundance Yellow Perch population to sustain itself.


BLACK BULLHEAD

Black Bullhead were prevalent in Lake Shaokotan from 1983 to 2004. However, from 2008 to 2011 the catch rates only ranged from 0 to 1.7 per gill net and 0.7 to 1.0 per trap net indicating a very low population. The reduction in Black Bullhead from 2004 to 2008 is not fully understood, but may be due in part to a more stable large Walleye population that was an effective predator. Another possibility is that water quality improved during those time frames that gave the predators in the system an upper hand in abundance. In 2013, the catch rate returned to pre-2004 values with a catch rate of 168 per gill net and 90 per trap net. In 2015 the Black Bullhead catch rate declined to 45.7 per gill net and 19.8 per trap net. It appears that the Black Bullhead population was able to produce a successful spawn in 2011 or 2012 resulting in large numbers of Black Bullhead in 2013. The recent declining trend may again be due to the large Walleye population eating the Black Bullhead and suppressing their population again. The length of Black Bullhead in the 2015 sample ranged from 5 to just over 14.5 inches with an average length of 9 inches. Future densities of Black Bullhead appear to be related to the number of large Walleye in Lake Shaokotan, therefore, the population abundance of Black Bullhead may continue to decline.


OTHER SPECIES

Other species caught in Lake Shaokotan in 2015 were Bluegill, Green Sunfish, and Hybrid Sunfish. Bluegill are a low abundance member of the fish community in Lake Shaokotan. Bluegill were only stocked once with 200 adults in 1980 but continue to maintain a population. The current catch rate of 0.7 per trap net is below the expected catch rate range for class 41 lakes but the highest observed since 1983. Habitat conditions are becoming more favorable for Bluegill and the population could see continued growth as the aquatic vegetation community persists. The Green Sunfish population is currently at a high abundance with a catch rate of 3.0 per trap net. The prevalent Green Sunfish population most likely was the cause of hybridization with Bluegill. Hybrid Sunfish (Bluegill x Green Sunfish) in 2015 were caught at a rate of 0.7 per trap net. Increasing hybridization indicates stress on the Bluegill population and potentially decreased success of spawning or a lack of spawning aged fish in the population. When this happens, Bluegill are more likely to spawn with other sunfish. Bluegill ranged from 3 to 6.5 inches with an average length of nearly 4.5 inches.

Lake Shaokotan supports a healthy population of Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike. Anglers should be able to catch their limit of each species when the bite is hot. Large Walleye and Northern Pike will also be a bonus for anglers and Yellow Perch perfect for the frying pan will be more abundant over the course of the next 2 years. Anglers in SW MN should definitely target Lake Shaokotan, especially during the ice fishing season when aquatic vegetation abundance should decrease and open pockets for anglers to target. The aquatic vegetation should be viewed as a positive addition to the lake, at times it can make it difficult to recreate and boat on the lake, but it provides good habitat for fish and results in clear water in the lake. The Lake Shaokotan Lake Association along with the MN DNR will determine the best plan for managing the aquatic vegetation. In the meantime, enjoy the Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike fishing.

Prepared by Nate Hodgins

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