Mustinka River Flowage

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The Mustinka River Flowage is a 91-acre, man-made impoundment of the Mustinka River. The dam was constructed in the late 1930s. With age of the reservoir and sediment deposits, maximum depth has decreased from 18.0 feet to approximately 10.0 feet. Average depth is 4.0 feet. This shallow, productive reservoir is located four miles north of Herman in Grant County. The inlet of upper Mustinka River is on the east shoreline. A gravel boat launch is located on the northwest side of the reservoir within the Pine Ridge Park. Park amenities include the boat launch, primitive camping, picnic facilities, and a swimming beach. The park entrance is located off of Grant County Road 34. Water quality is poor during summer months due to excessive nutrient loading and suspension of bottom sediments.

A standard lake survey was completed in 2018 to assess the fish community of the Mustinka River Flowage and assess success of Walleye stockings. Walleyes proved to be abundant. Gill net catches averaged 36.5 fish/net. Capture lengths ranged from 7.1 to 21.6 inches and averaged 13.7 inches. Most of the Walleye catch was comprised of two- and three-year old fish. Age distribution of the catch extended only to age 5. Approximately 20% of the Walleye catch measured 15.0 inches or larger. The largest Walleye captured measured 21.6 inches. Five year classes were present but majority of the fish were from the 2016 year class, suggesting fry stocking worked well. Age distribution of the catch also included good numbers of three-year-old Walleyes. No stocking occurred in 2015, thus these fish are likely natural recruits.

Northern Pike were moderately abundant. Size distribution of pike catch was exceptional. Approximately 80% of Northern Pike captures exceeded 21.0 inches in length. Average length was 26.5 inches. The largest pike capture was a memorable-size fish measuring 36.0 inches.

Catches of other gamefishes were very limited. No Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch were caught. Only two Bluegills were captured. The largest measured 8.5 inches. Black Crappie were modest in comparison to high catch rates recorded during the 2008 survey. At least two age groups of crappie were reflected in length-frequency distribution of the catch, but annual recruitment appeared to be very limited in recent years. This is typical of Black Crappie populations which can undergo boom and bust fisheries as a strong year class moves through the system. Bluegill catch rates have typically been low, likely due to lack of aquatic vegetation.

Other fishes sampled in this survey included Black Bullheads, Common Carp, and White Suckers. Catches and abundance of these habitat tolerant fishes tend to be elevated when habitat conditions tend to stress gamefish populations and limit community diversity.

In sustained absence of winterkill, survey catch statistics suggest the Mustinka River Flowage will support good Walleye and Northern Pike fishing for several years.

The Mustinka River Flowage is not currently a designated infested water. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can negatively affect lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain water from their boat before leaving the access. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html

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