Lake Emily

How big is Lake Emily?

How deep is Lake Emily?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Emily?

Are there boat launches on Lake Emily?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Emily?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Emily?

Lake Emily is a shallow 2,377-acre, highly-productive basin located in southwestern Pope County. Maximum depth is 6.0 feet. Despite a low average depth, winterkill events have been rare. Groundwater exchange, springs, and combined stream flows in the Little Chippewa River and from Lake Minnewaska help sustain adequate dissolved oxygen levels to support fish life during winter months.

Notable fish habitat changes were evident in Lake Emily in 2016. A Eurasian water milfoil infestation in the east end of the lake has greatly expanded. Whether coincidental or a causative response to a more recent infestation of zebra mussels, less wind-induced suspension of fine sediments because of expanded plant growth, or a greater proportion of available phosphorous being tied up in rooted plant growth rather than green algae, water transparency has increased to exceed 3.0 feet. Extensive submergent plant growth was evident and common throughout the remainder of the basin. Abundant aquatic vegetation negatively affected recreational opportunities and methods of fishing. Bacterial decomposition of plant matter under periods of ice cover may also increase threat of winterkill.

A fisheries survey was completed in June of 2016. An electrofishing survey was conducted during the day on June 2 to gain estimates of Largemouth Bass abundance and population size structure. The netting component of the standardized survey was completed June 6-9, 2016. A combination of eight gill nets and 15 trap nets were used to describe fish community attributes.

Walleye remained moderately abundant. Gill net catches averaged 6.5 Walleyes/net, which represents a decrease in estimated population abundance from that of the 2010 survey. Average size of captures was 16.9 inches with a maximum length of 28.2 inches. Growth was rapid with Walleye reaching 16.0 inches by age 3. Age distribution of captures extended to age 10. Walleye fry are stocked in even-numbered year to sustain a fishery. Cohorts of seven age groups were delineated in the catch, whichconfirmed that fry stockings are supplemental to some inconsistent natural reproduction or immigration via the Little Chippewa River. Lake Emily supports both Black and White Crappie populations. Some hybridization of crappies was also documented. Black Crappie were sampled in moderate numbers. Captures averaged 11.6 inches. White Crappie proved to be less abundant. Only six White Crappies were captured during the netting survey. Average size exceeded that of Black Crappie at 13.3 inches. Northern Pike catches were modest at an average catch rate of 5.5 fish/gill net. Pike captures averaged 21.8 inches. The largest Northern Pike measured exceeded 34.0 inches. Largemouth Bass and Bluegill persist in Lake Emily but these gamefishes are not yet abundant due to harsh habitat conditions that include poor water transparency and the past paucity of submergent vegetation. These populations may benefit from greater water clarity and increasing aquatic plant diversity and coverage within the lake.

Lake Emily supports a unique fishery within the Glenwood Fisheries Management Area. It is the only lake that supports a fishable population of Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish and an occasional White Bass are believed to have moved into Lake Emily from the Minnesota River system. Channel Catfish catches during the 2016 survey approached that of Walleyes and Northern Pike with an average catch rate of 5.0 catfish/gill net. Average size of Channel Catfish captures was 21.6 inches and 3.7 pounds.

A single White Bass was caught during the survey. The first capture of White Bass occurred in 2010. White Bass have maintained a low population abundance in Lake Emily.

Lake Emily is designated as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels. These infestations are relatively recent. Eurasian watermilfoil was first found in Lake Emily in 2014. The lake is downstream of Lake Minnewaska and was thus added to the infested waters list for zebra mussels in 2012. Significant habitat changes are occurring following these infestations. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to other lakes.

What is the average air temp for Lake Emily?

Are there any state parks near Lake Emily?