Nashwauk Lake

How big is Nashwauk Lake?

How deep is Nashwauk Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Nashwauk Lake?

What are the closest cities to Nashwauk Lake?

Are there boat launches on Nashwauk Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Nashwauk Lake?

Nashwauk Lake (also known as Moose Lake) is a 144-acre lake located 7 miles northwest of Nashwauk in the Mississippi River watershed. Nashwauk Lake has a maximum depth of 53 feet and moderately clear water (7-foot Secchi depth). Nashwauk Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and panfish. The Fisheries Lake Management Plan was last revised in 2006. Goals of the plan were to maintain a Northern Pike gill net catch at 5.0 fish/net with 40% longer than 21 inches and 10% longer than 28 inches. Additional goals were to provide angling opportunities for Black Crappie, Bluegill and Largemouth Bass through natural reproduction. A standard survey was conducted in June of 2022 to determine the status of the fish community. The survey was truncated at 4 gill nets and 6 trap nets to avoid unneeded mortality of Tullibee. Similar but inconsistent numbers of nets have been used in past surveys.

Tullibee appear(s) to be the predominant fish species in Nashwauk Lake and have occurred in high numbers compared to similar lakes in all surveys. The 2022 gill net catch of 88.3 per net was the highest observed. Sampled Tullibee ranged from 6.2 to 16.3 inches, with an average of 10.0 inches. Scales and otoliths were collected to estimate ages. Seven age-classes were represented with fish from age 1 to age 8 present. Fish averaged 12.9 inches after five years of growth. Nearly 45% of the fish examined had the parasite commonly called the Whitefish grub.

The Northern Pike catch was low compared to similar lakes and lower than previous surveys of Nashwauk Lake. Low pike densities are desirable because they often result in populations with faster growth and favorable size quality. Gill-net sampled pike ranged from 16.3 to 37.3 inches and averaged 22.9 inches. Too few were captured to evaluate the size structure goals. Six age-classes were sampled with fish from age 2 to age 10 present. Growth estimates appeared slow considering the availability of Cisco as prey. Fish averaged 19.6 inches after four years of growth.

Nashwauk Lake has produced moderate catches of Bluegill with moderate to good size quality. The 2022 trap net catch was typical compared to similar lakes and resembled past surveys. Size structure was good as Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.2 to 9.1 inches and averaged 6.4 inches. Ten age-classes were sampled with fish from age 2 to 11 present. Growth appeared slow with Bluegill averaging 7.9 inches after eight years of growth.

Black Crappie have been present in low numbers on Nashwauk Lake and only five were sampled in 2022. Sampled crappie ranged from 7.5 to 11.9 inches. The sampled fish ranged from 4 to 8 years old and required more than six years to exceed 10 inches. Although large crappie have occasionally been observed, low numbers may limit the popularity of the fishery.

Very few Walleye have been captured in test nets in Nashwauk Lake and none were sampled in 2022. Records indicate Walleye fry were stocked twice, once in 1986 and in 1988, but a fishery was not established. Yellow Perch appeared to be a minor component of the fish community and very few have been sampled. No perch were captured in the gill nets in 2022 and only six were captured in trap nets.

Other species sampled in test nets included: Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, and White Sucker.

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Are there any state parks near Nashwauk Lake?