Wells Lake

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Wells Lake

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Introduction

Wells Lake is a 634 acre lake located in Rice County west of the city of Faribault. The lake is accessible by boat from Cannon Lake. Wells Lake is a very shallow, eutrophic lake with a maximum depth of 4 feet. Based on limnological variables and lake characteristics, Wells Lake is placed in Lake Class 43. Other area lakes with this classification include Cody Lake (Rice County), Ida Lake (Blue Earth County), and Loon Lake (Waseca County). Wells Lake is managed primarily for walleye. Although no stocking takes place, walleye and other game fish regularly migrate into Wells Lake from Cannon Lake and other lakes within the Cannon River chain. Wells Lake was surveyed the week of August 10, 2014 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying gill nets and trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters.

Walleye
Walleye abundance in Wells Lake increased from 2.1 fish/net in 2004 and 0.3 fish/net in 2009 to a record high 23.8 fish/net in 2014. The next highest catch rate of walleye in Wells Lake was in 1989 when 12.6 fish/net were sampled. This was the highest walleye catch observed among all area surveys conducted in 2014. Walleye lengths ranged from 8.3 to 26.1 inches and averaged 11.6 inches, indicating a very small size structure. Walleye otoliths were removed and aged. Ninety-nine percent of all walleye sampled were age-1, indicating a very strong year class from 2013. These young walleye most likely migrated into Wells Lake from Cannon Lake, which was stocked with over two million walleye fry in 2013. Wells and Cannon Lakes are directly connected by water under a bridge, so the likelihood of fish migration is high. The warm, shallow, productive waters of Wells Lake may serve as a nursery habitat for walleye and other young game fish to grow in early life stages before migrating throughout the Cannon River chain of lakes.

Yellow Perch
Yellow perch catch rates in Wells Lake have varied greatly throughout the survey history, as abundance is dependent on spawning success from year to year. The yellow perch catch rate in Wells Lake increased from zero fish in the 2009 survey to 29.8 fish/net in 2014. This catch rate was above the long-term average for Wells Lake (21.8 fish/net). Yellow perch lengths ranged from 5.5 to 10.8 inches and averaged 6.9 inches, indicating a small size structure of yellow perch. Yellow perch populations throughout the Cannon River chain of lakes tend to be comprised of small sizes, however some yellow perch angling takes place.

Northern Pike
Northern pike abundance in Wells Lake has been relatively low throughout the survey history. The 2014 catch rate was the highest among recent years with 2.3 fish/net, which is above the long-term average for Wells Lake (1.2 fish/net). Lengths of northern pike ranged from 16.2 to 24.4 inches and averaged 21.2 inches, indicating a small size structure. All northern pike collected in this survey were age-1 (2013 year class). This further suggests that Wells Lake serves as a nursery habitat for young fish. No northern pike stocking takes place in Wells Lake, so the population exists from either natural reproduction or migration from other lakes within the Cannon River chain.

Black Crappie
The black crappie population in Wells Lake remains in moderately low abundance with a 2014 trap net catch rate of 3.1 fish/net. This is an increase from the 2009 survey when the catch rate was 1.3 fish/trap net and compares to the long-term average for Wells Lake of 4.0 fish/net. Black crappie were also collected in gill nets in 2014 at a rate of 2.4 fish/net. Lengths of all black crappie collected in this survey ranged from 3.1 to 11.5 inches, with 39% of the catch measuring 10.0 inches or larger, indicating a quality size structure.

Bluegill
Bluegill abundance remains low in Wells Lake. The 2014 catch rate was 1.4 fish/net, which is below the long-term average of 2.0 fish/net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 4.3 to 9.1 inches, with 77% measuring less than 6.0 inches, indicating a small size structure. Bluegill populations tend to struggle in lakes with minimal macrophyte abundance, such as Wells Lake.

White Bass
White bass abundance in Wells Lake has fluctuated in recent history, with catch rates ranging from 57.8 fish/net in 1999 to 4.8 fish/net in 2009. The 2014 catch rate of white bass was 13.0 fish/net, which is high relative to other similar lakes. Not only was the catch rate relatively high in 2014, the size of white bass was also impressive. Lengths ranged from 4.6 to 17.4 inches, with 41% of the catch measuring over 10.0 inches. The Cannon River chain of lakes, including Wells Lake, have quality white bass populations and offer a valuable angling opportunity, especially with population demographics like that of Wells Lake. White bass can be caught throughout the year, including through the ice, and are considered great table fare.

Black Bullhead
Black bullhead typically thrive in shallow, eutrophic lakes similar to Wells Lake. However, the abundance in Wells Lake has remained low for years. The 2014 catch rate in gill nets was 3.0 fish/net, which is very low for Lake Class 43. The population consisted of mostly large individuals, with lengths ranging from 6.3 to 13.4 inches. Eighty-one percent of the catch measured 10.0 inches or larger. Predators, such as walleye and northern pike, will feed on young black bullhead. While many factors may influence the low abundance of black bullhead in Wells Lake, predation may play a role in keeping the numbers at bay.

Other Species
Common carp were collected in high abundance in 2014, with a total of 190 fish sampled from gill and trap nets. While common carp catch rates have varied in Wells Lake, abundance has always been relatively high. Common carp thrive in shallow, eutrophic lakes like Wells Lake. Freshwater drum and white sucker were also abundant (N = 84 and N = 25, respectively). Other fish species collected in low abundance included bigmouth buffalo (N = 5), bowfin (N = 14), channel catfish (N = 5), largemouth bass (N = 1), yellow bullhead (N = 13), and golden shiner (N = 1).

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

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