Eagle Lake

How big is Eagle Lake?

How deep is Eagle Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Eagle Lake?

What are the closest cities to Eagle Lake?

Are there boat launches on Eagle Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Eagle Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Eagle Lake?

Eagle Lake is a 463 acre recreational development lake located 3 miles north of the City of Big Lake. The lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet and was designated as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil in 2005. Twenty one species of aquatic plants were identified with submersed plants growing to a maximum depth of seven feet. Curly-leaf pondweed grew at or near the surface on 5.8% of the surface area. The lake is primarily managed for largemouth bass and the DNR has not stocked walleye since 1991; however the lake association has stocked walleye fingerlings since 2000 and annually since 2007. There is one public access located on the NW side of the lake off of CR 75.

The catch of northern pike was significantly higher than in 2002, but within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Northern pike sampled during the survey ranged from 16 to 32 inches with an average length and weight of 23 inches and 2.9 pounds. Growth of northern pike was similar to the statewide average with northern pike reaching 23 inches by age 5.

Walleye fry were stocked by the DNR multiple times between 1971 and 1991, but due to limited success stocking was discontinued after 1991. The Eagle Lake Association began stocking walleye fingerlings in 2000 and since 2007 have stocked walleye fingerlings annually. The catch rate of walleye was higher than 2002, but within the ranged of expected values for similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 8 to 25 inches with an average length and weight of 17 inches and 1.9 pounds. Growth of walleye was fast with walleye reaching 16 inches by age 4.

Largemouth bass were sampled during daytime electrofishing on May 2, 2012. A total of 62 largemouth bass were captured in 1.2 hours for a catch rate of 53/hour. This was higher than the median catch rate for daytime electrofishing in the Montrose area (37.8/hr). Largemouth bass ranged in length from 6 to 19.5 inches with an average length and weight of 12 inches and 1.1 pounds. Growth of largemouth bass was average, reaching 12 inches by age 4.

The trap net catch of black crappie was below expected values for similar lakes; however, the gill net catch was over 2.5 times higher than expected values for similar lakes. Black crappie collected ranged in length from 4 to 10 inches with an average length and weight of 8 inches and 0.3 pounds. Growth of black crappie was slow, reaching 8 inches in 5 years.

Bluegill catch (12.7/trap net) was higher than in 2002 (4.8/trap net), but within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Bluegill ranged in length from 2 to 7 inches, with an average length of 5 inches. Growth of bluegill was slow with bluegill reaching 7 inches in 6 years.

Other species sampled during the survey included: black, brown and yellow bullhead, banded killifish, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, bowfin (dogfish), brook silverside, common carp, fathead minnow, green, hybrid, and pumpkinseed sunfish, Johnny darter, Iowa darter, tadpole madtom, yellow perch, and white sucker.

What is the average air temp for Eagle Lake?