Lake Erie

How big is Lake Erie?

How deep is Lake Erie?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Erie?

Are there boat launches on Lake Erie?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Erie?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Erie?

A population assessment was conducted at Erie Lake in 2014 to monitor the fish population. A total of 11 species, plus Hybrid Sunfish, were sampled in the gill nets and trap nets. The lake was stratified on 6/16/14 with the dissolved oxygen concentration falling below 2.0 mg/l at 21'. Game fish tend to avoid water with less than 2.0 mg/l of oxygen, so don't fish too deep at this time of the year. Water clarity was good with a secchi disk reading of 9.0 feet that day. The exotic plant, Eurasian Watermilfoil, was found in Erie Lake in 2014. Anglers are reminded to remove all vegetation from their boats and trailers when leaving the lake.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Northern Pike (7) for a catch rate of 1.2/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake. The 2012 catch rate was also low at 2.7/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12) were mostly low, ranging from 0.7 to 11.2/net with an average of 3.1. Historically, recruitment could be classified as low (<5/net) at Erie Lake. Gill netted Northern Pike were 21.5 to 30.1 inches long with an average of 27.3. The 2014 population was similar to past assessments, with there being low numbers of nice sized fish.

Trap nets sampled low numbers of Black Crappie (22) for a catch rate of 2.4/net. This catch rate was within the normal range for a lake of this type. The 2009 catch rate was also low (1.0/net). Catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 25.4/net with an average of 4.8. The last four catch rates have been below the historical average. Trap netted Black Crappie were 3.2 to 12.1 inches long with an average of 7.0. Gill nets also sampled low numbers of Black Crappie (30) for a catch rate of 5.0/net, which was also within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 gill net catch rate was 8.0/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12) were mostly low, but fairly stable. They ranged from 0.3 to 8.0/net with an average of 3.7. Gill netted Black Crappie were 5.5 to 9.1 inches long with an average of 6.4.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Walleye (8) for a catch rate of 1.3/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type and the second lowest on record at Erie Lake. The 2009 catch rate was also low at 1.8/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12), under various stocking regimes and a period of no stocking, were variable ranging from 1.0 to 11.3/net with an average of 4.7. In 2014, gill netted Walleye were 13.7 to 25.6 inches long with an average of 19.3. Walleye were estimated to be age-2 to age-13 with 8 year-classes being present. All year-classes were ranked as being weak. Non-stocked year-classes accounted for 75% of the gill net aged Walleye, indicating that some natural reproduction was occurring at Erie Lake. In 2014, growth was good, with Walleye reaching 16.0 inches after four summers of growth. The current stocking regime of 2 pounds of fingerlings/littoral acre (acres less than 15 feet deep) every-other-year was initiated in 2010. Preliminary evaluation of the new stocking regime and contributions (2 fish) of the two stocked year-classes (2010 and 2012) indicated that the stocking was having little effect on gill net catch rates at Erie Lake. Gill net catch rates in 2000, 2004, and 2009, during years when Walleye stocking was discontinued (1993 to 2009) ranged from 1.8 to 11.3/net with an average of 5.4/net. Predation by high numbers of Largemouth Bass may be limiting survival of stocked Walleye fingerlings at Erie Lake.

Trap nets sampled high numbers of Bluegill (760) for a catch rate of 84.4/net which was above the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was nearly identical at 82.3/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12) were variable, ranging from 18.5 to 329.3/net, with an average of 81.7. In 2014, trap netted Bluegill were 2.8 to 5.9 inches long with an average of 4.2, indicating a poor size structure. Bluegill were age-2 to age-6 with five year-classes being present. Age-3 and age-4 fish accounted for 93% of the trap net aged fish. Growth was slow. Sunfish anglers can expect plenty of action, but not too many keepers from Erie Lake.

Electrofishing sampled high numbers of Largemouth Bass (73), for a catch rate of 30.2/hr and this was the lowest catch rate ever recorded at Erie Lake. The 2009 electrofishing catch rate was 47.2/hr. Historic catch rates from 1991 to 2014 (n=17) ranged from 30.2 to 105.1/hr with an average of 59.1. Largemouth Bass were 2.8 to 19.3 inches long with an average of 14.2. Approximately 79% of the fish captured were between 12.0 and 16.9 inches, indicating a quality size structure that should appeal to anglers. Largemouth Bass were age-1 to age-11 with 11 year-classes being present. Growth was moderate. Despite the lower catch rate in 2014, Erie is still one of the better Largemouth Bass lakes in Meeker County.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Yellow Perch (27) for a catch rate of 4.5/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was higher at 20.7/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12) were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 39.2/net with an average of 10.8. Yellow Perch were small, ranging from 5.1 to 6.2 inches long with an average of 5.7.

Trap nets and gill nets failed to sample Common Carp in 2014. Historic trap net catch rates (n=12) from 1975 to 2014 were all low, ranging from 0.0 to 0.8/net with an average of 0.1. Historic gill net catch rates were also low ranging from 0.0 to 0.5/net with an average of 0.1.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Black Bullhead (1) for a catch rate of 0.2/net, which was below the normal range for a lake of this type. The 2009 catch rate was also low at 0.5/net. Historic catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12) were all low, ranging from 0.0 to 2.8/net with an average of 0.7. Trap nets sampled 4 Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.4/net which was below the normal range. Trap net catch rates from 1975 to 2014 (n=12) were all low ranging from 0.0 to 0.8/net. Trap netted Black Bullhead were 10.8 to 14.7 inches long with an average of 12.7.

What is the average air temp for Lake Erie?