Bright Lake

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INTRODUCTION

Bright Lake is a 645-acre lake located 2.5 miles northeast of the Town of Ceylon in Martin County. The basin is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 6.0 feet observed during the survey, and a shoreline length of 4.4 miles. A thick band of cattails is present around the perimeter of the lake, with some bulrush present. The ample emergent vegetation provides spawning and nursery habitat for several species of fish. Because of its shallowness and susceptibility to winterkill, Bright Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and secondarily for Yellow Perch, both of which can tolerate relatively low dissolved oxygen levels. Fish populations maintain themselves naturally, as stocking hasn't occurred on Bright Lake since 2003. Bright Lake's connection to other lakes and wetlands (Okamanpeedan, Pierce, Clayton, and Little Tuttle) allows movement of fish among the waterbodies, likely aiding in maintaining fish populations. Because of this connectivity to the East Fork of the Des Moines Watershed, rough fish populations such as common carp, bigmouth buffalo, and black bullhead have persisted in this system of lakes. Bright Lake was surveyed the week of June 8, 2015 to monitor fish populations using 11 trap nets.


NORTHERN PIKE

The system of lakes, wetlands, and streams around Ceylon, MN, of which Bright Lake is included, has historically been a favorable system for northern pike production. Excellent Northern Pike spawning habitat exists throughout the system. The 2015 Northern Pike catch rate of 3.6 per trap net reflected these favorable conditions, as this was the second highest Northern Pike catch rate observed on Bright Lake and was higher than expected catch rates for similar lakes. Catch rates have varied from 0.3 per trap net in 1999 to 4.5 per trap net in 1994, and have averaged 2.2 per trap net since 1989. Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 10.8 to 33.0 inches and averaged 18.1 inches. Nearly every inch category between 10 and 33 was represented in the sample, indicating that natural reproduction is consistent in Bright Lake or the system of waterbodies connected to Bright Lake. Northern Pike were healthy but not plump. It appears that there is plenty of forage in Bright Lake including Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, White Crappie, and Yellow Perch; however, the poor water quality may prevent Northern Pike from successfully foraging on the abundant prey fish. Bright Lake should provide a good Northern Pike angling opportunity.


YELLOW PERCH

Yellow perch have historically occurred in relatively low abundance in Bright Lake as catch rates have ranged from 0.0 per trap net in 1999 and 2003 to 1.6 per trap net in 1994. In 2015, the Yellow Perch catch rate was 0.9 per trap net, which is slightly above the long term average of 0.7 per trap net and within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes. Size of Yellow Perch was small, with lengths ranging from 5.6 to 8.8 inches and averaging 6.9 inches. Yellow Perch were plump indicating that forage is readily available. Trap nets typically do not sample Yellow Perch well this time of year, so Yellow Perch may be more abundant that what the sample suggests. Gill nets are typically used to sample Yellow Perch, but were not used because of the shallowness of Bright Lake.


WHITE CRAPPIE

White Crappie were captured at a rate of 61.7 per trap net in 2015, which is the highest recorded catch rate in Bright Lake. Prior to 2015, catch rates varied from 0.8 per trap net in 1989 to 47.8 per trap net in 2007. The 2015 catch rate of 61.7 per trap net greatly exceeds the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes. Many of the White Crappies in Bright Lake are small; however, some fish over 10.0 inches are present (12 percent of the sample). White Crappie ranged in length from 6.0 to 12.2 inches and averaged 8.0 inches. White Crappie were plump, suggesting that the population is not stunted and that there is plenty of forage available. The small size structure is likely a result of the population being comprised of young individuals and harvest of larger White Crappie. Size of Bright Lake's White Crappie should increase after a couple of year's growth. Bright Lake currently provides a unique angling opportunity for White Crappie.


BLACK BULLHEAD

Historic catch rates of Black Bullhead have been highly variable, ranging from 2.2 per trap net in 1989 to 283.5 per trap net in 2003. In the two surveys since 2003, Black Bullhead abundance has been below the long term average of 122.0 per trap net, being captured at rates of 31.3 per trap net in 2007 and 77.0 per trap net in 2015. Black Bullhead sampled in 2015 ranged in length from 5.3 to 15.2 inches and averaged 8.9 inches.


CHANNEL CATFISH

Channel Catfish were captured at a rate of 1.2 per trap net which exceeds the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes, and is the highest recorded catch rate for Channel Catfish on Bright Lake. Prior to 2015, catch rates varied from 0.0 per trap net in 1989 to 1.0 per trap net in 1994 and averaged 0.6 per trap net. Lengths of Channel Catfish ranged from 10.5 to 21.8 inches and averaged 12.8 inches. If Channel Catfish continue to increase in abundance, it is likely that they may help control the Black Bullhead population and provide an additional angling opportunity.


OTHER SPECIES

The Bigmouth Buffalo catch rate was 3.6 per trap net. Lengths ranged from 9.8 to 29.6 inches and averaged 19.8 inches. Three Black Crappie were sampled and have historically occurred in low numbers (less than 4.5 per trap net) in Bright Lake. Common Carp abundance in 2015 (3.5 per trap net) remained consistent with 2013's catch rate of 3.7 per trap net. Common Carp ranged in length from 5.9 to 30.8 inches and averaged 15.1 inches. Five Quillback were sampled, marking the first time that they have been sampled in Bright Lake. Other species sampled included Orangespotted Sunfish (N=1), White Sucker (N=8), and Yellow Bullhead (N=9).

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 or improve water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Best management practices within the watershed (no-till farming, cover crops, buffer strips, targeted fertilizer application, reduced or metered tiling) would help reduce nutrients entering the lake. High nutrient and sediment input can cause algae blooms and reduce overall water quality. Any improvements in the watershed are likely to have positive impacts on the fishery.
Prepared by Jonah Dagel

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