Myrtle Lake

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Myrtle Lake is located approximately seven miles east of Orr, Minnesota on rolling terrain within a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest. There is a state owned public access on the east end of the lake on County Road 23. Myrtle is a Class 16 lake with a total surface area of 889 acres. The maximum depth is 20 feet; however, 97% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. Myrtle Lake has diverse fish and aquatic plant communities.

Black crappie abundance was well above the expected range for this lake type. However, black crappie abundance has often been higher, especially in the mid-1980's. In 2012, seven year-classes were present and age ranged from 2-10 years. The majority of the fish in the sample were young; age-2 fish represented 89% of the sample. Length in trap nets ranged from 3.7-12.4 inches and the mean was 5.2. Due to the many young fish in the sample, the mean weight of black crappies captured was well below the expected range found in this lake type.

Bluegill trap-net abundance was within the expected range for this lake type. Five year-classes were present and age ranged from 2-8 years. Many of fish in the sample were young; age-2 fish represented 80% of the sample. Total length in trap nets ranged from 3.2-9.2 inches and the mean was 4.8. Due to the many young fish in the sample, the mean weight of bluegill captured was slightly below the expected range found in this lake type.

Night electrofishing was used to sample largemouth and smallmouth bass on May 30-31, 2012. A total of 218 bass were captured.

Largemouth bass were captured at a rate of 66.65 per hour of on-time, which was the highest level ever recorded for any lake in the International Falls Management Area. Ten year-classes were sampled and age ranged from 2-11 years. Age-2 fish represented 74% of the sample. Length ranged from 4.4 to 17.8 inches and the mean was 8.2.

Smallmouth bass were captured at a rate of 84.71 per hour of on-time, which falls in the middle of the range for lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Seven year-classes were sampled and age ranged from 2-10 years. When combined, ages 2 and 3 represented 84% of the sample. Length ranged from 3.7-17.5 inches and the mean was 7.9 inches.

Northern pike abundance was well above the expected range for this lake type. Several year-classes were well represented. Length ranged from 10.5 to 37.2 inches and the mean was 21.9. The mean weight of northern pike captured was above the expected range found in similar lakes.

Walleye stocking records for Myrtle Lake date back to 1945 when fry were stocked. Walleye fingerlings were stocked on three occasions from 1958 to 1965. In 1967, a change back to fry was made and periodic stocking of fry continued through 1992, except in January 1984 when 532 adult walleyes (0.75lb each) were stocked. Generally, fry stocking has been unsuccessful and natural reproduction has been unable to maintain abundance above or near the middle of the expected range. Thus, starting in 2003, fingerling stocking resumed with a plan to stock every other year at an accelerated rate.

Success of stocking is dictated and confounded by many factors. It would be irresponsible to try to evaluate the success of the new stocking protocol for Myrtle Lake with too few data points. So, our goal for the first several investigations after the implementation of the new stocking protocol was to begin collecting information that when used with future investigations, will enable us to evaluate the stocking program for Myrtle Lake.

Recent investigations indicate that walleye abundance is higher than during the previous two decades, including a new record high observed in 2007. However, abundance still slightly below what is generally observed in similar lakes. Seven year-classes were present and age ranged from 1-8 years in 2012. The 2009 year-class represented 54% of the sample. Several year-classes were well represented and all occurred in odd numbered years which coincide with stocking. Total length ranged from 7.1-21.5 inches and the mean was 15.0. Mean weight was 1.38 pounds, which exceeded the top of the expected range.

Yellow perch abundance was near the upper end of the expected range for this lake type. Overall average size was small, but the length range included fish up to 10.9 inches; which should provide anglers with another harvest option.

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