Perch Lake

How big is Perch Lake?

How deep is Perch Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Perch Lake?

Are there boat launches on Perch Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Perch Lake?

Perch Lake is in lake class 5 and is located 13 miles northwest of Chisholm, MN in the Little Fork River watershed.

The gill-net catch rate for walleye increased from 1.7/net in 1997 to 3.7/net in 2006. This is the highest catch rate for walleye in Perch Lake since the initial survey in 1955. Most walleye sampled in 2006 corresponded to years of fingerling stocking. Gill-net sampled walleye ranged from 7.6 to 21.9 inches, with an average length of 15.8 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average.
The northern pike gill-net catch rate increased from 5.2/net in 1997 to 6.9/net in 2006. Gill-net sampled pike ranged from 16.3 to 28.9 inches with an average length of 24.2 inches. Average weight of pike was good at 3.0 pounds.

Smallmouth bass were first sampled in Perch Lake in 1997, with a gill-net catch rate of 2.3/net. The gill-net catch rate remained above the normal range (2.0/net) in 2006 with a catch rate of 3.3/net. Gill-net sampled smallmouth ranged from 13.2 to 18.5 inches, with an average length of 16.9 inches. Fish in the gill-net sample appeared to be mainly from the 1997 year class. Smallmouth bass were also captured in the spring night electrofishing assessment at a relatively low catch rate of 8.2/hour of on-time. Smallmouth from electrofishing had an average length of 13.9 inches. Smallmouth from both gears had growth rates similar to the statewide average. Largemouth bass were also captured in the electrofishing assessment, at a catch rate of 18.7/hour of on-time. Sampled largemouth ranged from 4.4 to 16.3 inches, with an average length of 10.3 inches. Growth of largemouth bass was similar to the statewide average.

Gill-net and trap-net catch rates for black crappie were both above their respective normal ranges, at 5.1 and 8.0/net, respectively. Trap-net sampled crappie ranged from 3.7 to 12.5 inches, with an average length of 7.1 inches. Crappie from gill nets had a similar size structure. Crappie ages 3 and 4 made up 90.6% of the trap-net sample, and growth was similar to the statewide average.

The gill-net catch rate for yellow perch dropped to 1.4/net, below the lake class normal range and the lowest on record for Perch Lake. The increased abundance of predators (walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass) since the last assessment is likely responsible for the decline in yellow perch numbers. In contrast, the record high catch rate for yellow perch (54.2/net) occurred in 1978, at a time when walleye and northern pike catch rates were near or at record lows.

The gill-net catch rate for white sucker was within the normal range at 6.1/net, while trap-net catch rate was above the normal range at 8.4/net.

Other species sampled included golden shiner and pumpkinseed sunfish.

What is the average air temp for Perch Lake?

Are there any state parks near Perch Lake?