Lake Independence

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What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Independence?

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Independence Lake is a 112-acre lake located seven miles southeast of the City of Windom in Jackson County. The lake's shallow depth (maximum of 10 feet) and improved water clarity in recent years have encouraged the growth of dense aquatic vegetation (mainly Curly-leaf pondweed and coontail) throughout the lake basin. Bulrush is also present in a couple of locations on the perimeter of the lake. The vegetation growth has benefitted the fishery by providing habitat for fish. Independence Lake is managed primarily for Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Walleye and Sunfish. Walleye fingerlings, yearlings and adults are stocked when available and have been stocked extensively in recent years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023). Independence Lake was surveyed the week of May 30, 2023 to monitor fish populations using one gill net and nine trap nets. The Largemouth Bass population was not assessed in 2023.

Walleye abundance has never been high in Independence Lake as catch rates have varied from 0.0 per gill net in 2007 to 15.0 per gill net in 1999. The Walleye catch rate in 2023 was 3.0 per gill net, an increase from the 2019 catch rate of 0.5 per gill net and within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.3 to 18.1 per gill net). Walleye lengths ranged from 16.6 to 20.1 inches and averaged 18.6 inches. It is likely that there are more Walleye present than what the nets caught because dense vegetation often negatively affects gill net catches.

Since 2003, Bluegill have occurred in low abundance (less than 2.0 per trap net) in Independence Lake. Abundance increased in 2023 to 28.2 per trap net, above the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.0 per trap net) and above the long-term average of 13.8 per trap net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.1 to 7.4 inches and averaged 5.8 inches. Sixty-four percent of the sampled Bluegill were 6.0 inches or longer and 20 percent of the sample were 7.0 inches or longer. With a growing season past, Bluegill should be approaching harvest size.

Pumpkinseed Sunfish abundance has steadily increased from 1.6, 28.2, and 42.0 per trap net in 2011, 2015, and 2019, respectively. The increase continued in 2023 with a catch rate of 87.7 per trap net, which is the highest catch rate recorded at Independence Lake. Pumpkinseed lengths ranged from 3.4 to 8.9 inches and averaged 5.4 inches. Forty-five percent of sampled Pumpkinseeds were 6.0 inches in length or greater.

Yellow Perch abundance in 2023 was down significantly from 2019, going from 223.0 per gill net to 13.0 per gill net in 2023. While abundance in 2023 is well below the long-term average of 71.9 per gill net, it is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 5.4 to 12.5 inches and averaged 9.4 inches. Many of the yellow perch captured were large, with 76 percent of them exceeding 9.0 inches.

Northern Pike have not been sampled in Independence Lake since 2003. In the2023 survey, Northern Pike were captured at a rate of 5.0 per gill net which is the highest catch rate observed at Independence Lake and is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.1 to 8.0 per gill net). Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 20.7 to 22.7 inches and averaged 21.6 inches (PSD=92). Northern Pike are likely to do well in Independence Lake because of the abundant prey and abundant aquatic vegetation. Independence Lake is within the "southern zone" of the Northern Pike zone regulations, so two Pike longer than 24 inches can be harvested. Northern Pike under 24 inches must be released.

Independence Lake is unique, in that, it does not have Common Carp or Bigmouth Buffalo. Black Bullhead were scarce as only 11 were captured in the survey. Other species sampled in low abundance included Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass.

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