Reeds Lake

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Reeds Lake

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Status of the Fishery
Introduction
Reeds Lake is a 193 acre lake located in Waseca County 2 miles east of the city of Elysian. Reeds Lake has a maximum depth of 58 feet and 110 acres of littoral area. A county-maintained public access is located on the southwest side of the lake. Reeds Lake has a small watershed with minimal agricultural run-off and is one of the clearest lakes in the Waterville Fisheries Management Area. Residential development surrounds much of the lake, but most of the riparian zone remains intact and aquatic vegetation is abundant, which provides valuable fish habitat. Reeds Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Bluegill and crappie species. The base stocking plan for Reeds Lake includes stocking Northern Pike fry annually into a nearby pond, which are removed each fall for stocking into Reeds Lake as fingerlings. All other fish species are the result of natural reproduction.

Reeds Lake is designated as an infested water due to the presence of Eurasian water-milfoil, which was first documented in the lake in 2014. Eurasian water-milfoil limits recreational activities by forming dense mats on the water surface and disrupts aquatic ecosystems by competing with and displacing native plants. Eurasian water-milfoil is spread primarily by the introduction of plant fragments, which can easily be transported by boaters. Always be sure to clean all aquatic plant material and drain all water from boats, trailers, and equipment before leaving the lake access.

Reeds Lake was surveyed the week of June 20, 2016 by the MN DNR as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program. This survey included deploying 4 gill nets and 12 trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Since Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in nets, electrofishing was conducted on May 24, 2016 to assess the Largemouth Bass population. Reeds Lake is scheduled to be surveyed again in 2022.

Northern Pike
Northern Pike were sampled in very high abundance in the 2016 survey. The gill net catch rate was 25.5 fish/net, which was above the long-term average for Reeds Lake (12.5 fish/net) and far above the catch rate of the previous survey in 2011 (4.6 fish/net). Pike were also sampled in trap nets at a rate of 1.4 fish/net. The size structure was generally small, with an average of 20.5 inches and a range of 16.1 to 29.7 inches. About 39% of the sample were 21 inches or longer. Ages ranged from 1 to 8 years old. Most (76%) of the aged fish were age-2, which suggested that the 2014 stocking effort was successful. The average length at capture was 16.1 inches at age-1, 19.5 inches at age-2, 19.7 inches at age-3, and 22.3 inches at age-4. Northern Pike fry are stocked into a nearby pond annually, which are collected as fingerlings and stocked in to Reeds Lake when available. Most recent stocking events took place in 2014 and 2015.

Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in traditional gears, like gill and trap net. As a result, targeted sampling using an electrofishing boat is required to assess the population. Electrofishing was conducted on May 24, 2016 to target and assess the Largemouth Bass population in Reeds Lake. The catch rate was 83.1 fish/hour, which was greater than the long-term average for Reeds Lake (44.2 fish/hour). Although in low abundance, Largemouth Bass were also sampled in gill nets and trap nets (1.8 and 0.6 fish/net, respectively). The size structure of Largemouth Bass was respectable, with total lengths ranging from 4.1 to 19.8 inches and averaging 10.5 inches. The abundant and diverse aquatic vegetation, woody debris along the shoreline, and relatively clear water in Reeds Lake provide ideal Largemouth Bass habitat. Largemouth Bass are not stocked in Reeds Lake, so the population persists through natural reproduction. Spring electrofishing surveys targeting Largemouth Bass will complement each Standard Survey that is completed on Reeds Lake (every six years).

Bluegill
Bluegills were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 50.8 fish/net, which was lower than the long-term average for Reeds Lake (137.5 fish/net) and was the lowest catch rate on record. Bluegills were also sampled in gill nets at a rate of 22.3 fish/net, which was higher than the long-term average for Reeds Lake (11.6 fish/net). Bluegill lengths averaged 5.5 inches from trap nets and 6.8 inches from gill nets (5.7 inches, collectively). The largest individual that was sampled measured 8.0 inches, which suggested that the Reeds Lake Bluegill population exhibits a small size structure. Bluegill ages ranged from 1 to 11 years old. The oldest fish (11 year old) was only 8.0 inches long, which suggested a very slow growth rate. The average length at capture was 2.3 inches at age-1, 3.1 inches at age-2, 3.8 inches at age-3, 5.0 inches at age-4, 5.8 inches at age-5, 5.8 inches at age-6, 7.1 inches at age-7, 7.2 inches at age-8, and 7.0 inches at age-9. The Bluegill in Reeds Lake are the result of natural reproduction.

Crappie Species
Reeds Lake produces 2 crappie species, the Black Crappie and the White Crappie. The 2 species of crappies look similar, but certain characteristics can tell them apart. Black Crappies are generally darker overall and typically have 7 or 8 dorsal spines. White Crappies have silver sides with light black vertical barring and typically has 5 or 6 dorsal spines. Black Crappies are more widely distributed throughout Minnesota and are typically found in deeper, clearer waters than White Crappies. Black Crappies were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 11.5 fish/net. This catch rate was above the long-term average for Reeds Lake (9.4 fish/net). Black Crappies were also sampled in trap nets at a rate of 4.5 fish/net, which was slightly above the long-term average (4.0 fish/net). The lengths of Black Crappie from both gear types ranged from 4.6 to 13.0 inches and averaged 7.7 inches. This size structure was similar to that of the 2011 survey, when the overall average length was 8.2 inches. Black Crappies were aged using scales and otoliths. The average length at capture of Black Crappies was 5.3 inches at age-2, 7.5 inches at age-3, 6.6 inches at age-4, 8.2 inches at age-5, and 9.1 inches at age-6.

The White Crappie gill net catch rate was 13.5 fish/net, which was above the long-term average for Reeds Lake (5.8 fish/net). White Crappies were sampled in trap nets in low abundance (0.4 fish/net). The size structure was small, with an average length of 6.5 inches. White Crappies were aged using scales and otoliths. The oldest individual was 5 years old and measured 11.6 inches. The average length at capture of White Crappies was 6.1 inches at age-2, 6.8 inches at age-3, and 11.3 inches at age-5. Neither of the crappie species are stocked in Reeds Lake.

Other Species
A total of 91 Yellow Bullheads were sampled in gill nets (12.8 fish/net) and trap nets (3.3 fish/net). The average length of Yellow Bullheads was 10.8 inches. Yellow Bullheads are typically found in lakes with higher water clarity, like Reeds Lake. Other fish species sampled in low abundance included hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and White Sucker.

Angling Summary
At the time of the 2016 survey, Northern Pike were very abundant and should provide good angling. However, most of the Pike were generally small. Reeds Lake provides an excellent opportunity for Largemouth Bass angling. Bass numbers were high and the size structure was respectable in 2016. Although the size structures of panfish was small, anecdotal reports of very large crappies caught through the ice exist.

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

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