Ochotto Lake

How big is Ochotto Lake?

How deep is Ochotto Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Ochotto Lake?

What are the closest cities to Ochotto Lake?

Are there boat launches on Ochotto Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Ochotto Lake?

Ochotto Lake is located in Stearns County, near Avon. The lake has a surface area of 40 acres and a maximum depth of 40 feet. The watershed is very small and mostly residential and agriculture. A public access is located in a city park on the south side of the lake. The survey was conducted in July, 2012. Northern pike, largemouth bass, sunfish species, and black crappie are present in the lake. Water quality was excellent and a diverse plant community grew to a depth of 21 feet. Twenty-four species of aquatic plants were found and emergent and floating-leaf plants such as water lilies, cattail, bulrush, and wild rice covered 37% of the lake area.

Northern pike were caught in numbers well above the expected range for similar lakes. The 2012 catch rate was higher than any previous survey. Average length was 20.1 inches and the largest northern pike caught was 27.3 inches long. Average weight was two pounds and within the expected range. Eleven percent of northern pike caught in gill nets were longer than 24 inches. Growth was average; northern pike grew to 20 inches in four years and most were three to five years old. Northern pike are abundant; the fishery would benefit if anglers kept more small pike (<24 inches) and released larger ones.

Largemouth bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing on May 23, 2012. The catch rate was 91/hr. This is well above the Montrose median value of 38/hr for daytime electrofishing. Average length was 11 inches and average weight was one pound. The largest individual caught was 21.1 inches. Growth was slow; largemouth bass reached 12 inches in six years. The catch rate in 2001 was much lower, but average size was higher. Anglers can help by keeping some smaller bass (<14 inches) and releasing larger ones.

The bluegill catch rate was lower than 2001 but within the expected range for similar lakes. Average length was six inches, higher than in 2001 (five inches). Growth was slow; bluegill reached seven inches in six years and most were five or six years old. The largest individual caught was eight inches long.

Black crappie catch rates in 2012 were low and nearly identical to 2001, but within the expected range for the lake type. Previous surveys have also had low catches. Average length was almost nine inches and growth was average; black crappie reached nine inches at age four. Most black crappie were age four and the largest individual was nearly twelve inches long.

No yellow perch were captured in 2012 and only three in 2001; previous surveys found none. Other species captured included: hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, and yellow bullhead.

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Are there any state parks near Ochotto Lake?