Snelling Lake is located in Fort Snelling State Park, one of the most popular state parks in Minnesota. Many shore-fishing locations exist, including a fishing pier on the north end of the lake. This shallow, class 43 lake is heavily vegetated with a variety of native aquatic vegetation as well as exotic curly leaf pondweed and Eurasian water milfoil. No gas boat motors are permitted. Snelling Lake is equipped with an aeration system that is run to prevent winterkill in winters when oxygen levels fall low. A population assessment was conducted during June 2009 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish in the lake.
Snelling Lake has historically had a high density bluegill population (averaging 66/trap net over the previous 3 population assessments) At 54 per trap net in 2009, bluegill abundance was again high and size structure and mean weight (0.15 lbs) were low. Fifty-one percent of bluegill were less than 6 inches and the remaining 49% were between 6 and 6.8 inches. Mean length was 5.9 inches. Ages 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 were represented and growth was slower than average compared with other similar West Metro Area lakes.
The northern pike population has remained relatively stable over the previous 4 assessments dating back to 1995. In the 2009 assessment, 7.5/gill net were collected. Ninety-three percent were 21 inches or greater and 27% were 28 inches or greater. The largest pike measured 32.5 inches and 6.7 lbs. Northern pike reached 19.3 inches by age 3, indicating growth is similar to other similar West Metro Area lakes.
One largemouth bass was sampled, however, passive sampling gears, such as trap nets and gill nets, are not effective methods for collecting largemouth bass, so the data presented for this species is not indicative of relative abundance. Electrofishing is the typical method for largemouth bass assessments but was not conducted during this survey.
Pumpkinseed abundance continues to be high (9.3/trap net). Other species sampled in low abundance included black crappie, yellow perch, bowfin, green sunfish, and black, brown, and yellow bullhead.
- Eurasian Watermilfoil
Recreational activities such as recreational boating, angling, waterfowl hunting, and diving may spread aquatic invasive species. Some aquatic invasive species can attach to boats, while others can become tangled on propellers, anchor lines, or boat trailers. Many species can survive in bilge water, ballast tanks, and motors or may hide in dirt or sand that clings to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. Fortunately, completing simple steps can prevent the transport of aquatic invasive species.
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