Whipple Lake

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A targeted survey including nearshore, trap net, and gill net sampling was completed during the week of June 27th, 2022 in Whipple Lake 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 or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, a 15-foot seine was used at four stations, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 10 species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blacknose Shiner and Iowa Darter) and zero species that are tolerant of disturbance.

Six trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill (55%) and Yellow Bullhead (22%) comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number, and Yellow Bullhead (33%), Bluegill (22%), and Northern Pike (19%) comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Black Bullheads sampled per net was more than double the 75th quartile for similar lake class 32 lakes. The number of Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullheads sampled per net were all above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 32 lakes. Conversely, the number of Yellow Perch sampled per net were at the 25% quartile for similar Lake Class 32 lakes.

Four gill nets were set in open water locations. Black Bullhead (26%), Yellow Bullhead (22%), and Northern Pike (24%) comprised a majority of the gill net catch by number, and Northern Pike (52%), Yellow Bullhead (16%), and Black Bullhead (16%) comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Black Bullheads sampled per net was more than five times the 75th quartile for similar lake class 32 lakes. The number of Black Crappies and Northern Pike sampled per net were more than double the 75th quartile for similar lake class 32 lakes. The number of Largemouth Bass sampled per net was above the 75% quartile, and number of Yellow Bullheads sampled per net was above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 32 lakes. Conversely, the number of Yellow Perch sampled per net were at the 25% quartile for similar Lake Class 32 lakes.

The fish data collected during the June 27th, 2022 nearshore, trap net, and gill net surveys were combined 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., Blacknose Shiner and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead). 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 provides supporting evidence that the fish community in Whipple Lake is adversely impacted by stressors as indicated by an FIBI score below 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.

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