Ringo Lake

How big is Ringo Lake?

How deep is Ringo Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Ringo Lake?

What are the closest cities to Ringo Lake?

Are there boat launches on Ringo Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Ringo Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Ringo Lake?

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye on Ringo during September 7, 2023. Fall electrofishing was conducted at two stations for a total of 25 minutes. The water temperature was 77 F. during the 2023 fall electrofishing survey. Submergent vegetation densities (sago pondweed, northern milfoil and coontail) were light in 2023. Water clarity was poor (0.5 feet). Blue-green algae bloom was moderate. We observed moderate numbers of adult Walleye, Common Carp, Bigmouth Buffalo, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch in the 2023 fall electrofishing survey. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e., spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e., standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass).

Ringo is a moderate sized (735 acres), shallow (10 feet maximum depth), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Blue-green algae blooms are common during the late summer months on Ringo Lake. Clarity is often poor especially during late summer in Ringo. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, cattails) was abundant throughout the lake, especially near the islands, bay areas, and peninsulas. Shoalwater substrates consist primarily of sand, detritus, silt, and gravel. Water levels were low during 2021-23.

Walleye natural reproduction occurs in Ringo, but is sporadic based on previous surveys. Walleye fry were recently stocked (300,000-540,000 fish) into Ringo Lake during 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023. Approximately 351,600 Spicer Strain Walleye fry were stocked in 2023.

Low YOY Walleye numbers (7.20 YOY/hour, 6.22 inches) were caught in the 2023 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (56.00 YOY/hour, 6.9 inches) were captured in the 2022 fall daytime electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye are probably more numerous than documented in 2022 and 2023 due to daytime electrofishing being less effective than nighttime electrofishing for catching YOY Walleye. The YOY Walleye numbers were low (4.00 YOY/hour, 7.7 inches) in the 2021 fall night electrofishing survey due to natural reproduction. There were moderate young of year "YOY" Walleye numbers captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey (40.00 YOY/hour, 7.0 inches). Abundant YOY Walleye numbers were captured in 2017 (88.00 YOY/hour, 6.0 inches), 2015 (60.00 YOY/hour, 6.0 inches) and 2013 (96.67 YOY/hour, 4.9 inches) and 2011 (210.00 YOY/hour, 4.5 inches average length) fall night electrofishing surveys. The Ringo Lake fall electrofishing historical average catch rate and length are 88.62 YOY/hour and 6.0 inches respectively. The highest fall electrofishing catch rate of YOY Walleye occurred in 1994 (520.00 YOY/hour, 4.6 inches average length) during a fry stocked year. The highest fall electrofishing catch rate for YOY Walleye due solely to natural reproduction occurred in 1995 (129.00 fish/hour, 6.2 inches average length).

Walleye abundance in 2020 summer survey (14.50 fish/gillnet) was below the historical average catch rate (19.90 fish/gillnet) for Ringo. The 2020 Walleye average size was moderate (1.52 pounds and 15.9 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.07 pounds from gillnets. The 2020 Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.0 inches plus) was high (10.00 fish/gillnet). The 2017 Walleye year class comprised 58% of the 2020 Walleye catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Ringo is frequent, but often variable for producing successful year classes. Walleye fry are scheduled for annual.

Current fish management activities on Ringo include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the county with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Ringo Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2025 summer for all fish species and periodically for YOY Walleye by fall electrofishing.

What is the average air temp for Ringo Lake?

Are there any state parks near Ringo Lake?