Fox Lake

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INTRODUCTION
Fox Lake is a 176-acre lake located in Murray County approximately 4.5 miles north of the City of Currie. Fox Lake has a maximum depth of 8.5 feet and has poor water quality (secchi depth=1.2 ft.), likely a result of a highly agricultural watershed. Because of its shallowness and high biological oxygen demand (BOD), frequency of winterkill has been often, as it was opened for liberalized fishing 17 times since 1950. An "Ice Eater" aeration system was installed in the northwest corner of the lake in 2010 to help decrease the frequency and severity of winterkills. Since installation, winterkill on Fox Lake has been minimal. It is believed that there is some sort of connection between Fox Lake and Bloody Lake (although not visually apparent), as water was observed draining west to east under the road during high water in the spring of 2014; however, it is not known if this connection is passable by fish. Currently, Fox Lake is managed as a "pike/perch" fishery, with yellow perch being the primary management species, and northern pike and black crappie being the secondary management species. Northern pike fingerlings are stocked one out of three years, with recent stockings occurring in 2007 and 2010. A population assessment was conducted during the week of July 7, 2014 to monitor fish populations using two gill nets and nine trap nets.

YELLOW PERCH
Since the initial survey done in 1996, yellow perch catch rates have ranged from 14.5 per gill net in 2002 to 77.0 per gill net in 1996. In 2014, yellow perch were captured at a rate of 16.0 per gill net which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Yellow perch have not been stocked in the recent past, indicating that this population is able to sustain itself through natural reproduction. Lengths of yellow perch ranged from 5.0 to 11.0 inches and averaged 6.5 inches. Yellow perch were plump, suggesting that a good forage base for yellow perch is available. Establishment of a top-level predator such as northern pike or walleye would help to increase the size structure of the yellow perch population, and provide an additional angling opportunity.

BLACK CRAPPPIE
Fox Lake has historically been known for its above average crappie angling which was a result of the strong 2001 year class. As a result of this year class, the catch rate of black crappie in 2002 was 76.4 per trap net. As this strong year class died off, it appears little to no reproduction occurred, as the 2014 catch rate fell to 2.1 per trap net. The 2014 catch rate of 2.1 per trap net is near the low end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net), indicating that it is a low abundance population in Fox Lake. Four crappies greater than 12.0 inches were sampled in trap nets, indicating that some spawning brood stock is still available in the lake. The other 15 crappies sampled were 4.5 to 5.5 inches long. Despite low population abundance, it appears that natural reproduction is occurring, as a near shore survey conducted during this survey sampled 517 young-of-the-year (YOY) black crappies in 10 seine hauls, which is indicative of a strong year class. If the strong 2014 year class is able to survive through the winter, expect good crappie angling in three to four years.

NORTHERN PIKE
Zero northern pike were sample in the 2014 survey on Fox Lake. Historically, northern pike have occurred in extremely low abundance, with the only one northern pike being sampled in the 1996 survey. If a connection passable by fish existed between Bloody Lake and Fox Lake, one would expect a slightly more abundant northern pike population because Shetek Lake (connected to Bloody Lake) is stocked extensively with northern pike fingerlings. Stocking will continue to try to jump start the northern pike population in Fox Lake.

BLACK BULLHEAD
Despite the lack of a top-level predator in Fox Lake, the black bullhead population has remained in check, being captured at rates of 51.5 per gill net and10.7 per trap net, which are within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes. Lengths of black bullhead in gill nets ranged from 4.8 to 10.9 inches, and in trap nets ranged from 4.6 to 12.3 inches and averaged 7.6 inches. Fox Lake should continue to provide a good angling opportunity for black bullheads.

OTHER SPECIES
Two channel catfish (5.6 and 23.5 inches) were sampled in the 2014 survey marking the first time that they have been documented in Fox Lake. If a passable connection exists, they could have moved from Bloody Lake into Fox Lake, or they were illegally introduced. To avoid unintended introductions, anglers should be diligent about disposing of unused bait in the trash, and should report unpermitted movement of fish.

Bigmouth buffalo were captured at a rate of 1.0 per trap net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.2 to 1.04 per trap net). Bigmouth buffalo ranged in length from 16.8 to 25.3 inches and averaged 21.9 inches. Nearly 850 YOY bigmouth buffalo were sampled in the near shore survey, indicating that natural reproduction or immigration of YOY fish is occurring in Fox Lake.

Other species sampled include brown bullhead, common carp, walleye (N=2), and yellow bullhead.

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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