Mink Lake

How big is Mink Lake?

How deep is Mink Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Mink Lake?

Are there boat launches on Mink Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Mink Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Mink Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Mink Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Mink Lake?

Mink Lake is 301 acre lake located three miles northwest of the City of Maple Lake in Wright County. Mink Lake and Somers Lake are connected by a navigable channel and were reclaimed in 1994 due to an overabundance of Common Carp. An aeration system is deployed as needed, but Mink Lake experienced a partial winterkill in 2001. Special regulations currently in place include possession limits of 5 sunfish, 5 crappie, and 3 Walleye. The minimum size limit for Walleye is 17 inches, Largemouth Bass have a 12-20 inch protected slot limit with one over 20 inches allowed in possession, and Northern Pike have a 24-36 inch protected slot limit with one over 36 inches allowed in possession. The last survey was conducted in 2011.

Mink Lake has a small watershed and primary land uses include row crops, pasture, and open water. Water clarity is poor and MPCA data show a 10 year average Secchi depth of 3 feet. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish down to 15 feet. Aquatic vegetation has not been surveyed since 2006, when coontail and Canada waterweed were the dominant submergent species. Cattail and white waterlily were the primary emergent species, but covered less than 3% of the lake. Curly-leaf pondweed continues to be widespread in spring and early summer.

Largemouth Bass were captured by nighttime electrofishing in late May in low numbers, but good size. Lengths ranged from 6.7 to 20.3 inches with an average length of 14.3 inches. Seventy-nine percent of bass were 15 inches or longer and 3% were 20 inches or longer. Growth was not evaluated in 2016, but was average in 2011; Largemouth Bass reached 11.5 inches by age 4.

Walleye numbers have decreased in recent surveys, despite continued fingerling stocking, but were within the expected range of values for lakes similar to Mink. Walleye size was large; lengths in 2016 ranged from 13.7 to 28.0 inches with an average length of 22.8 inches. Only nine Walleye were captured in the survey, representing 4 age classes. High pike numbers likely hinder fingerling survival.

Northern Pike numbers in 2016 were the highest recorded and above the range of expected values for lakes similar to Mink. Northern Pike numbers have increased in recent surveys, but pike size has remained large. Lengths in 2016 ranged from 13.6 to 35.2 inches with an average length of 25.7 inches; 78% were longer than 24 inches and 8% were longer than 30 inches. Anglers can help improve the fishery by harvesting smaller pike (<24") and hopefully increasing Walleye survival.

Bluegill numbers in 2016 were within the expected range of values, but lower than 2011. Lengths in 2016 ranged from 3.2 to 8.0 inches with a mean length of 5.0 inches. A survey targeting Bluegill near shore during spawning was conducted in late May. Bluegill numbers were high, but most were small; only 1% of Bluegill were eight inches or longer. Results from the targeted survey will be summarized in a separate report.

Black Crappie numbers were well above the expected range of values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 4.4 to 12.8 inches with an average length of 6.3 inches. Recent catches have varied widely from 13.3/gill net in 2001 to 193.4/gill net in 2006.

Yellow Perch catch rates have fluctuated widely, likely influenced by Northern Pike abundance. The catch in 2016 was within the expected range of values and similar to 2011. Perch ranged in length from 5.1 to 8.5 inches with an average length of 6.4 inches.

Common Carp were first found in 2001 and were small and numerous. Since then their numbers have been very low (2 total in 2016) and no small carp have been captured. Pumpkinseed was the only other species captured in 2016.

An Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) survey was also conducted on Mink Lake in August; results will be summarized in a separate report.

What is the average air temp for Mink Lake?