Lake Sarah

How big is Lake Sarah?

How deep is Lake Sarah?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Sarah?

Are there boat launches on Lake Sarah?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Sarah?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Sarah?

INTRODUCTION
Lake Sarah is a 1,093-acre lake located approximately 4 miles south of the City of Garvin in Murray County. Lake Sarah has a maximum depth of 11.0 feet and a watershed to lake ratio of 10 to 1. The lake's watershed is highly agricultural and some of the lake's shoreline has been altered by residential development. In areas with residential development, lawns are typically maintained to the water's edge and shorelines are altered with rock rip rap or sand blankets, which disrupt the natural riparian buffer. Agriculture and development in the riparian zone likely account for much of the nutrient load going into Lake Sarah, which causes poor water quality in the lake. During this survey in early June, Lake Sarah had a secchi depth reading of 2.4 feet; however, the water quality declined as the summer progressed. Lake Sarah is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch. Lake Sarah's Walleye population is one of the only Walleye populations in the Windom fisheries management area that is sustained through natural reproduction, as it has not been stocked since 1991. A recent genetics study found that Lake Sarah's Walleye are unique to the Cannon River in east-central Minnesota, which was used as an egg source decades ago. The study suggested that this "Cannon River strain" of Walleye has persisted in some southern waters despite extensive stocking of "Mississippi strain" Walleye. The study suggested that the Cannon River strain of Walleye in Lake Sarah is able to naturally reproduce, thereby creating a self-sustaining population. A population assessment was conducted the week of June 2, 2014 to monitor fish populations using four gill nets and 12 trap nets.

WALLEYE
Walleye catch rates in Lake Sarah have varied from 4.0 per gill net in 1984 to 77.5 per gill net in 1993. In 2014, Walleye were captured at a rate of 10.3 per gill net, which is significantly lower than the long term average of catch rates (32.4 per gill net) and the 2010 catch rate of 45.5 per gill net, but is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.2 to 15.3 per gill net). Despite the lower than average catch rate, the Walleye population produced a strong year class in 2014 as young-of-the-year Walleye were captured in the fall of 2014at a rate of 244.5 per hour of electrofishing, which is the fourth highest catch rate of YOY Walleye in Lake Sarah. Walleye lengths ranged from 14.9 to 27.8 inches and averaged 22.5 inches. Ninety percent of the Walleye sampled were larger than 20.0 inches in length. A balanced Walleye population will have a wide range of sizes present. Seven year classes of Walleye were sampled including 2011 (age-3), 2010 (age-4), 2009 (age-5), 2008 (age-6), 2005 (age-9), 2004 (age-10), and 2000 (age-14). Despite strong year classes being produced in 2012 (186.7 per hour) and 2013 (290.4 per hour), no age-1 (2013) or age-2 (2012) Walleye were sampled, raising concern that they did not recruit to the fishery; however, during electrofishing in the fall of 2014, several different sizes of adult Walleye were observed, suggesting that our nets may not have effectively sampled the whole Walleye population during this survey. Back calculated average length at age-3 was 16.7 inches, indicating fast growth when compared to growth in similar lakes. The strong 2014 year class should help Lake Sarah's Walleye population rebound within the next couple of years.

YELLOW PERCH
The Yellow Perch catch rate declined from 22.5 per gill net in 2010 to 7.8 per gill net in 2014, but was within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.0 to 22.5 per gill net). Yellow Perch have not been stocked in Lake Sarah, suggesting that the population sustains itself through natural reproduction. Despite being the second lowest catch rate since surveys began, Yellow Perch are abundant enough to reproduce, as 44 YOY Yellow Perch were sampled in a near shore survey conducted in early July 2014. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 6.5 to 8.3 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. Yellow Perch were skinny indicating that prey resources may not be readily available for Yellow Perch in Lake Sarah.

BLACK BULLHEAD
Black Bullhead catch rates in 2014 were the highest ever observed in Lake Sarah for both gill nets (125.0 per gill net) and trap nets (140.9 per trap net). The gill net catch rate exceeded the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (4.6 to 83.0 per gill net) as did the trap net catch rate (1.3 to 78.1 per trap net). Gill netted Black Bullheads ranged in length from 6.4 to 15.2 inches in length and averaged 7.2 inches. Trap netted Black Bullheads ranged in length from 4.2 to 14.7 inches and averaged 7.9 inches. Ninety-eight percent of Black Bullheads sampled ranged from 6.0 to 9.0 inches long, suggesting that one strong year class accounts for most of the bullhead biomass in Lake Sarah. In the 2010 survey, the Black Bullhead population was at an all-time low (5.5 per gill net, 6.8 per trap net), and was dominated by one year class that were 11.0 to 13.5 inches in length. It appears that this year class (sampled in 2010) was able to reproduce and "fill the void" that is now being filled by the 6.0 to 9.0 inch bullheads sampled in 2014. Black Bullhead abundance could be an issue because they are reaching a length that may make them less vulnerable to predation by Walleye.

BLACK CRAPPIE
Black Crappie catch rates in 2014 decreased from 2010 catch rates, going from 54.6 per trap net in 2010 to 0.9 per trap net in 2014. The 2014 catch rate of 0.9 per trap net is below the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.0 to 12.3 per trap net). Black Crappies ranged from 4.1 to 13.0 inches in length and averaged 11.0 inches. Black Crappies were very abundant in 2010, with the population consisting of three or four year classes. It is difficult to explain why they were not sampled in the 2014 survey other than the fish were not moving during the week of the survey or a sampling gear bias.

OTHER SPECIES
Common Carp abundance has remained relatively unchanged since 1998, as catch rates have not exceeded 1.1 per trap net. The trend continued in 2014 with a catch rate of 1.6 per trap net which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.7 to 5.1 per trap net).

Other species sampled included Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and White Crappie.

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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