Lake Fremont

How big is Lake Fremont?

How deep is Lake Fremont?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Fremont?

Are there boat launches on Lake Fremont?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Fremont?

Fremont Lake is a general development lake located in northeast Sherburne County, near Zimmerman. The lake is shallow, mostly 6-7 feet, with low to moderate water clarity (secchi depth 3.7 feet). Dissolved oxygen was adequate throughout the water column. These conditions are favorable for widespread aquatic plant growth. Curly-leaf pondweed, an exotic that was first found in Fremont Lake in 1957, was found growing at or near the surface on 61 acres, 12.4% of the lake in June of 2008. Canada waterweed, a native submersed plant, was found in 82% of samples in 2002.

Fremont lake is susceptible to winterkill. During the winter of 2000-2001, winterkill was observed on many area lakes, including Fremont. Ice-out trap netting indicated that few game species remained. Later in the spring, adult northern pike, bluegill, and black crappie were stocked. An aeration system was subsequently purchased in 2001. Mild winters did not necessitate its use until winter 2007-08, but a partial kill still occurred. It remains to be seen whether the equipment can keep Fremont Lake alive during severe winters. Shallowness (lake volume) will limit the fishery.

This was the first full survey since 1993 and winter-kill species dominated the net catches.

Northern pike were common and the largest was just over 26 inches. Only two gill nets were set because of the shallow lake depth, but caught pike at a rate of 7/net, which was at the high end of the normal range for similar lakes. Fremont Lake has a history of producing large northern pike (up to 18 pounds).

Black bullheads were captured at a rate of 29.4/trap net. This was below the average, but still within the normal range for similar lakes and abundant for Sherburne County lakes. Bullheads were small and 7-8 inches in length. Bullheads would need to grow to 10 inches in order to interest commercial harvest.

Carp were present in high numbers at catch rates of almost 10/trap net. Carp ranged in length from 10 to 26 inches and averaged 18 inches. More than 700 young of the year carp were captured during shoreline seining. This was evidence of a recruitment response. Winter kill conditions seem to illicit successful spawning from carp, and this is a definite detriment to the lake.

Golden shiner were abundant and spawning during the survey in early June. Fish were caught in trap nets at a rate of 27/net, which was more than 50 times the average rate for similar lakes. In the absence of yellow perch golden shiner become important forage for northern pike.

Other sport species captured at low levels of abundance were black crappie and bluegill. These remnant survivors will provide progeny for future populations in Fremont Lake.

What is the average air temp for Lake Fremont?