Circle Lake

How big is Circle Lake?

How deep is Circle Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Circle Lake?

What are the closest cities to Circle Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Circle Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Circle Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Circle Lake

Are there boat launches on Circle Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Circle Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Circle Lake?

Circle Lake (624.0 acres) is located in Rice County near the Town of Lonsdale. Residential development has disturbed and altered much of the shoreline on the south and east side of the lake. Remaining natural shoreline is limited to the northwest bay, the island, and the west side of the lake. In areas with residential development, lawns are typically maintained to the shores edge with much of the lakeshore being stabilized with rock rip rap or sand blankets, thereby disrupting the natural riparian buffer. A DNR-owned boat ramp is located in the northwest corner of the lake providing access for the public. The sport fish community consists of black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass. Walleye fry have been stocked in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010, and the current management plan calls for them to be stocked at a rate of 1000 fry per littoral acre in even numbered years. Yellow perch, bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, and northern pike populations are maintained through natural reproduction. A population assessment was conducted on 6-18-2012 to monitor the sport fish community in Circle Lake using 3 gill nets and 8 trap nets.

Water quality measurements were collected 6-18-2012. Circle Lake was beginning to experience an algae bloom as the water appeared light green in color, and had a secchi depth reading of 2.5 ft. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 9.4 ppm at the surface to 2.8 ppm at 10.0 ft deep and did not appear to be thermally stratified.

Primary management species in Circle Lake include bluegill, black crappies, and yellow perch. During the past two decades, bluegill occurred at relatively low abundance as catch rates have not exceeded 10.0/trap net (2007). In 2012, the bluegill catch rate increased to 21.0/trap net, which is high when compared to similar lakes. Five bluegill year classes were sampled (2007-2011) with age-1 bluegills representing 52% of bluegills collected. Bluegill size structure was small, with lengths ranging from 2.9 to 9.7 inches and averaging 4.9 inches. Circle Lake bluegill exhibit fast growth, as bluegill averaged 3.6 inches at age-1, 4.5 inches at age-2, 6.2 inches at age-3, 7.0 inches at age-4, and 9.7 inches at age-5.

In 2012, black crappies were captured at rate of 13.3/trap net, which is slightly higher than similar lakes, and at a rate of 42.0/gill net, which is extremely high when compared to similar lakes. Past black crappie catch rates have been highly variable with trap net catch rates ranging from 0.0/trap net in 2001 to 90.0/trap net in 1988, and gill net catch rates ranging from 0.0/gill net in 2001 to 150.4/gill net in 1983. Black crappie size structure was small, as 70% of the fish captured were age-1. Black crappies ranged in length from 3.5 to 9.8 inches and averaged 5.4 inches. Black crappies exhibited relatively slow growth, averaging 4.4 inches at age-1, 5.3 inches at age-2, 7.4 inches at age-3, 8.0 inches at age-4, and 9.0 inches at age-5.

Yellow perch were captured at a rate of 140.7/gill net, which is the highest observed catch rate on Circle Lake and up from 6.7/gill net in 2007. Yellow perch were 5.1 to 11.2 inches in length and averaged 7.2 inches. Five year classes were sampled (2007-2011), with age-3 and age-4 yellow perch representing nearly 70% of the sample.

Walleye catch rates decreased from 21.7/gill net in 2007 to 11.7/gill net in 2012, but still was above average when compared to similar lakes. Three year classes of walleye were present and corresponded to 3 stocking events in 2007, 2008, and 2010. Walleye size structure was good, with lengths ranging from 11.4 to 21.1 inches and averaging 17.0 inches. Forty-eight percent of gill netted walleye were greater than 18.0 inches in length. Walleye grow fast in Circle Lake as they averaged 14.8 inches at age-2.

The northern pike gill net catch rate decreased from 6.0/gill net in 2007 to 3.7/gill net in 2012, but still was greater than any catch rate observed since 1983. The 2012 catch rate of 3.7/gill net is about average when compared to similar lakes. Four year classes were sampled which included 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Northern pike averaged 23.4 inches in length, with the largest measuring 29.5 inches.

Gill net and trap net common carp catch rates decreased drastically since 2007. In gill nets, catch rates decreased from 47.7/gill net in 2007 to 1.0/gill net in 2012, which is low when compared to similar lakes. In trap nets, catch rates decreased from 51.8/trap net in 2007 to 6.8/trap net in 2012. Common carp were large, ranging from 17.1 to 30.9 inches in length and averaging 23.8 inches. Furthermore, common carp abundance dropped significantly from the 2007 survey suggesting that the population is being suppressed.

Black bullheads have historically been extremely abundant in Circle Lake; however, in 2012 black bullhead abundance was low. Approximately 52.0 black bullheads were captured per gill net and 24.7 per trap net, which are low compared to similar lakes. Black bullhead lengths ranged from 4.3 to 12.0 inches and averaged 9.1 inches.

The bigmouth buffalo catch rate (2.6/trap net) was the highest observed on Circle Lake, which is high compared to similar lakes. The majority of bigmouth buffalo were small, measuring 13.0 to 15.0 inches. Other species captured in the nets but occurring in low numbers include freshwater drum, white bass, white sucker, yellow bullhead, bowfin, creek chub, golden shiner, hybrid sunfish, and largemouth bass.

Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.

Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils.

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 water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

What is the average air temp for Circle Lake?

Are there any state parks near Circle Lake?