Echo Lake

How big is Echo Lake?

How deep is Echo Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Echo Lake?

Are there boat launches on Echo Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Echo Lake?

Echo Lake is located approximately four miles north of Buyck, Minnesota. Echo Lake is 1,142 acres and the entire lake is less than 15 feet deep. Echo Lake is a Minnesota Sentinel Lake; thus, investigations will be used to determine how the lake is responding to factors such as climate change, watershed development, invasive species, and runoff.

Several species of panfish were caught. Bluegill and rock bass were captured, but rarely. Black crappie were captured more frequently, abundance was within the expected range for this lake, but well below what was found in record years. Crappie will provide some good fishing and some very large fish are present in Echo Lake. Fish up to 13.7 inches were observed in the sample.

Northern pike abundance was slightly above the typical range for this lake type. Many young fish are present. The average weight was 1.4 pounds, which is near the low end of the typical range for this lake type. Size in the sample ranged from 14.1-26.6 inches.

Smallmouth bass are present and should provide good fishing. Fish up to 15.2 inches were captured during this investigation. The average size has increased considerably in the past twenty years.

Walleye populations have exceeded the expected range for this lake in nearly every investigation conducted in the past forty years. In 2014, walleye abundance was again high and exceeded the normal range for this lake type. Many solid year-classes were observed, so the future of walleye fishing looks bright in Echo Lake. The sample showed walleyes from 8.2-24.4 inches and the average was 13.8.

Yellow perch are present but are likely more important as forage for predators than as a recreational fish for anglers. Very few fish above 9 inches were captured.

What is the average air temp for Echo Lake?