Loon Lake

How big is Loon Lake?

How deep is Loon Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Loon Lake?

What are the closest cities to Loon Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Loon Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Loon Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Loon Lake

Are there boat launches on Loon Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Loon Lake?

Loon Lake of Waseca County is a 122 acre lake located within the city of Waseca. A city-managed public access is located on the south side of the lake. A fishing pier is available for use next to the public access. Additional shoreline fishing opportunities are available on the north and south sides of the lake. Loon Lake is closed to gasoline-powered motors, making it a good option for canoeing and kayaking. Loon Lake is aerated throughout the winter to help prevent winterkill of the fish population; use caution when traveling on the ice and obey signs marking thin ice areas. Loon Lake is a shallow lake with a maximum depth of only 9.0 feet. Based on lake characteristics, Loon Lake is placed in Lake Class 43. Other lakes with this classification include Crystal Lake (Blue Earth County), Gorman Lake (Le Sueur County), and Pickerel Lake (Freeborn County). Loon Lake is managed primarily for Bluegill and Black Crappie and secondarily for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish. Stocking plans include stocking managed fish species after winterkills or as otherwise warranted. Loon Lake was surveyed the week of July 27, 2015 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying three gill nets and nine trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Since Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in nets, a night electrofishing survey was also conducted on June 1, 2015 to assess the Largemouth Bass population.

Northern Pike
Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 1.3 fish/gill net, which was less than the catch rate of the previous survey conducted in 2009 (4.3 fish/gill net) and the long-term average for Loon Lake (4.4 fish/gill net). Northern Pike were also sampled in trap nets at a rate of 2.8 fish/net, which was slightly below the long-term average catch rate for Loon Lake (3.2 fish/net). The size structure of Northern Pike was small, with an average length of 16.1 inches and a maximum length of 20.9 inches. Most of the catch (93%) were age-2 fish and were likely the result of the Northern Pike stocking that took place in 2014 (N = 360 adults).

Black Crappie
Black Crappies were not present in the 2015 survey and were not stocked after the reclamation of Loon Lake in the fall of 2012. Prior to the 2012 reclamation, Black Crappies averaged 34.8 fish/trap net and size structure was generally small. The average length of Black Crappie was 4.5 inches in 2000, 7.9 inches in 2004, and 6.6 inches in 2009. According to the current management plan for Loon Lake, Black Crappie will be stocked as soon as adult fish are available.

Bluegill
The 2015 Bluegill catch rate was 4.6 fish/trap net, which was far below the long-term average for Loon Lake (60.1 fish/trap net). Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.3 to 9.2 inches and averaged 7.4 inches, indicating a good size structure. Pre-spawn Bluegill adults were stocked in 2013 and 2014 following the reclamation of Loon Lake in the fall of 2012. The presence of age-1 Bluegill in 2015 indicated that the population was naturally reproducing. Adult Bluegill will continue to be stocked in Loon Lake as needed.

Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish were sampled in 2015 at a rate of 1.7 fish/gill net. This was the first survey that Channel Catfish showed a presence in Loon Lake since 1995, when one individual was sampled (0.3 fish/trap net). The average length of Channel Catfish sampled in this survey was 18.1 inches. These fish were likely the result of the 2013 stocking event, when yearling Channel Catfish (N = 3000) were stocked following the reclamation of 2012. The Channel Catfish appeared healthy and were growing well. Channel Catfish are efficient at predating on young Black Bullheads, which were abundant in Loon Lake at the time of this survey. Adult Channel Catfish are planned to be stocked in Loon Lake to continue predating on overabundant Black Bullheads and to provide a recreational fishery.

Largemouth Bass
An electrofishing survey was conducted on the night of June 1, 2015 to assess the Largemouth Bass population in Loon Lake. Largemouth Bass (N = 30) were sampled at a rate of 23.2 fish/hour. The size structure of Largemouth Bass was small, ranging from 10.1 to 11.8 inches and averaging 10.7 inches. All aged Largemouth Bass were age-3, with the exception of one age-4 individual. These fish were from the 2013 stocking event, when Largemouth Bass were stocked at fingerling and adult life stages. The lack of fingerling-sized Largemouth Bass in the 2015 survey suggests that natural reproduction was limited. However, many of the adult Largemouth Bass appeared mature and ready to spawn at the time of this survey. Targeted electrofishing surveys on Loon Lake will continue in an effort to monitor the Largemouth Bass population and determine when additional stocking is necessary.

Walleye
Four Walleyes were sampled in gill nets in 2015 for a catch rate of 1.3 fish/net. Walleyes averaged 16.7 inches in length and were all from the same year class (age-2). Loon Lake does not have the characteristics of a sustainable Walleye fishery, so Walleye are not a managed species in Loon Lake and are not stocked by the DNR. Any Walleyes present in the lake were likely illegally transported and released.

Black Bullhead
Black Bullheads have a history of being overabundant to nuisance levels in Loon Lake. Numerous reclamation events (i.e. intended fish kills using rotenone) have taken place in an effort to reduce Black Bullhead abundance in Loon Lake, but with limited success. The 2015 survey produced a catch rate of 183.3 fish/trap net, which was less than the previous two trap net catch rates (276.1 fish/net in 2009 and 564.6 fish/net in 2004). However, the 2015 gill net catch rate of 122.0 fish/net was greater than the 2009 gill net catch rate (79.7 fish/net) and greater than the long-term average for gill nets in Loon Lake (92.8 fish/net). Most of the Black Bullheads sampled in 2015 were small, as 90% of the overall catch was less than 7.0 inches in length. Predator species that are efficient at consuming Black Bullheads, such Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, will continue to be stocked in Loon Lake in an effort to biologically control the nuisance Black Bullhead population.

Angling Summary
Although Bluegill abundance was low compared to the historic average, Loon Lake had a Bluegill population with good size structure. Also, the young Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Channel Catfish populations will continue to improve as overall size structures increase. All of these gamefish species can be targeted from the ample shoreline available and from the fishing pier on the south side of Loon Lake.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.
-Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

What is the average air temp for Loon Lake?

Are there any state parks near Loon Lake?