Nisswa Lake

How big is Nisswa Lake?

How deep is Nisswa Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Nisswa Lake?

What are the closest cities to Nisswa Lake?

Are there boat launches on Nisswa Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Nisswa Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Nisswa Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Nisswa 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 Nisswa Lake?

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Nisswa Lake was conducted on June 28-30, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Nearshore sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station, and site conditions (soft sediments and dense water lilies in deep water) prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish).

A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Yellow Bullhead, Bluegill, and Common Carp comprised a majority of the trap net catch by biomass, with Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead most abundant by number. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was just above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 29 lakes and the average length was 5.8 inches, with 8% over 7 inches. The number of Yellow Bullhead was also above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 29 lakes and the number of Common Carp was equal to the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 29 lakes.

The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2019 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Common Carp and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Data from this survey indicates Nisswa Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

What is the average air temp for Nisswa Lake?

Are there any state parks near Nisswa Lake?