Gilchrist Lake

How big is Gilchrist Lake?

How deep is Gilchrist Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Gilchrist Lake?

Are there boat launches on Gilchrist Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Gilchrist Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Gilchrist Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Gilchrist Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Gilchrist Lake?

Lake Gilchrist is a shallow, 321-acre basin located in southeast Pope County. Maximum depth is 24.0 feet. Approximately 61% of the surface area is less than 15.0 feet in depth. The East Branch of the Chippewa River runs through the basin. Water quality and habitat conditions are variable in cumulative responses to a large watershed, river flow, and prevailing climatic conditions. Lake level has varied as much as 5.5 feet between dry and wet weather cycles. Water transparency in recent years has averaged only 4.3 feet during summer months. An abundant and diverse aquatic plant community helps sustain reasonably good water clarity. However, one plant species is an undesired aquatic exotic species. Eurasian watermilfoil was discovered in the lake in 1996. This invasive plant has expanded to nuisance levels and can make navigation difficult in the shallow southern portion of the lake.

Walleye are stocked during odd-numbers years in order to sustain a fishery. Walleye gillnet catch rates are lower than desired but within the range of "normal" for similar lakes. Size of walleye captured in gillnets ranged from 9.9 inches to 22.6 inches. Average size captured during the 2011 survey was 16.1 inches and 1.2 pounds. Approximately half of the total gillnet population sample was made up of two-year-old walleye. These fish growth fast and should approach 15.0 inches in length in 2012. Potential to catch 20.0-inch and larger walleye is very good. Twenty-one percent of walleye in the capture sample exceeded 20.0 inches in length.

Northern pike are not abundant. Gillnet catches during the 2011 survey 2006 were at the lower range of expected catches for similar lake types. Approximately 90% of pike captures were four and six-year old fish. The average weight of pike captured in 2011 was 2.5 pounds. Few fish have exceeded 28.0 inches in length.

Largemouth bass are only moderately abundant, but they tend have a larger average size than populations in many other lakes. Sixty-nine percent of the 8.0 inch and larger bass captured by electrofishing exceeded 15.0 inches in length. The largest bass measured 19.7 inches in length. Consistent annual recruitment was evidenced by presence of 10 year classes in the age-frequency distribution.

Similar to other sunfish populations such as largemouth bass and black crappie, bluegill cannot be described as abundant. Trapnet catches fell below the range of expected catches for similar lake types. Fishing quality, in terms of average size caught, is good because bluegill grow fast. Age-5 fish averaged 8.3 inches in length. Despite fairly heavy harvest, particularly during winter months, 41% of bluegill measured in 2011 exceeded 8.0 inches in length. The largest bluegill measured 9.5 inches.

Few crappie have been caught from Gilchrist in surveys due to high water temperatures during late-August surveys. Population abundance can be projected to be greater than represented by a trapnet catch rate of only 1.9-crappie/net. The lake likely does not support an abundant population black crappie, but Lake Gilchrist has the capacity to produce fish. Average length of crappie captured in the 2011 survey was 8.6 inches. The largest capture measured 12.9 inches in length.

Anglers must help contain the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil in west-central Minnesota. Lake Gilchrist is one of two lakes known to be infested with this undesirable exotic plant within Pope County. Please be responsible in preventing transfer to other lakes. Remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat and trailer when leaving any body of water.

What is the average air temp for Gilchrist Lake?

Are there any state parks near Gilchrist Lake?