Limestone Lake

How big is Limestone Lake?

How deep is Limestone Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Limestone Lake?

Are there boat launches on Limestone Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Limestone Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Limestone Lake?

Limestone Lake is a 188 acre recreational development lake located in north central Wright County. Maximum depth is 34 feet. Little oxygen was present below 18 feet in mid-July. Water clarity was good and the aquatic plant community was diverse. Northern milfoil and coontail were widespread. Only a few sprigs of curly-leaf pondweed were observed at or near the surface in June. This was the first survey since 1998.

The access to Limestone Lake is adjacent to a small Wright County Park located on the northeast shoreline. The lake is located in a rural area with modest shoreline development. One campground was present on the lake. Much of the shoreline is fringed with cattails and aquatic plants, presenting excellent fisheries habitat.

Limestone Lake is managed for naturally occurring species and no walleye have been stocked since 1992. Not surprisingly then only four walleye were sampled by all gear in 2008. The gill net catch was below the expected range for similar lakes. Walleye ranged from 18 to 23 inches and averaged 20 inches and three pounds. Anglers can expect only a rare walleye in the creel.

The northern pike gill net catch was within the range of expected values. Northern pike averaged 20 inches and two pounds. Growth was within statewide averages. Fifteen percent of northern pike were longer than 24 inches. Angling for small northern pike should be good. No muskellunge were sampled during 2008, but occasionally we hear of one that moves down from Sugar Lake, a designated muskellunge lake.

Twenty-two largemouth bass were sampled by night electrofishing on May 13, 2008. The catch rate was less than other lakes in Wright County. Bass of all sizes were captured. The average largemouth was 12 inches long and weighed a little more than one pound. Growth was similar to statewide averages. Largemouth reached 12 inches between ages four and five. Even though the catch rate was somewhat low Limestone has the reputation of being an excellent lake for largemouth.

Anglers can expect good fishing for small bluegill and black crappie. Trap net catches for bluegill and black crappie were similar to 1998 and within expected ranges. Growth of bluegill was near the average for similar lakes. Black crappie reached 6.6 inches by age three.

Only eight yellow perch were sampled by gill nets and trap nets in 2008, but numbers have historically been low. The lack of yellow perch led to the decision to cease walleye stocking. In the absence of this forage species northern pike grow slowly.

Banded killifish, a sensitive species, was collected during shoreline seining. Other fish sampled in 2008 were bowfin, Iowa darter, bluntnose minnow, brook silverside, green, hybrid and pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow bullhead and white sucker.

What is the average air temp for Limestone Lake?