East Solomon Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in East Solomon Lake?

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A standard survey was conducted on East Solomon Lake during late June of 2020. 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).

East Solomon is a moderate sized (658 acres), multi basin, shallow (14 feet maximum depth), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. East Solomon is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. East Solomon is connected to a shallow aerated lake (Long Lake) via an inlet and a shallow non-aerated lake (West Solomon Lake) via an outlet. The immediate shoreline area is composed primarily of undeveloped hardwood trees. Aquatic vegetation densities are moderate to low consisting mostly of sago pondweed, clasping-leaf pondweed, Canada waterweed, curly-leaf pondweed, water moss, filamentous algae, and coontail. Emergent vegetation densities are moderate consisting of primarily hardstem bulrush, cattail species, arrowhead group, and reed canary grass. There are two large mid-water bulrush stands. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, gravel, rubble, silt, and boulder in East Solomon. Total phosphorus levels were high (0.086 ppm) on June 9, 2014. Water clarity was fair on July 6, 2020 (secchi=3.7 feet). Water clarity usually decreases substantially by mid-summer due to blue-green algae blooms. Water levels were low during 2020. Low winter oxygen levels were documented during February of 2019 despite the operation of the aeration system, but no winterkill was noted. An extensive fish kill of Black Crappie occurred during the late summer/early fall of 2012. Low water levels and hot air temperatures were the norm during the late summer and early fall of 2012. The Black Crappie kill was probably due to a combination of factors such as a bacterial disease (i.e. Columnaris) and/or low dissolved oxygen conditions. The 2012-13 winter was harsh and protracted resulting in partial winterkills on some waters. However, this was not the case for East Solomon because adequate numbers of gamefish were captured in follow up ice out test netting during 2013. East Solomon is managed for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie. East Solomon has been a popular fishing lake especially for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Walleye and quality Largemouth Bass. Walleye fishing has been relatively poor on East Solomon during recent years.
Black Crappie numbers were abundant (14.70 fish/trapnet), but the average size was small (0.07 pounds and 4.95 inches) in 2020. The Black Crappie historical catch rate is 5.34 fish/trapnet. Abundant numbers of small sized Black Crappie were also present in the 2020 gillnets (10.33 fish/gillnet). The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.33 pounds from trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were excellent for ages 1-3. The 2019 year class comprised 96% of the 2020 Black Crappie catch.

Bluegill numbers were abundant in 2020 (51.90 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical catch rate is 10.31 fish/trapnet. The 2020 Bluegill average size was small (0.13 pounds and 5.34 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.30 pounds from trapnets. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.98 inches.

Largemouth Bass spring electrofishing survey was not conducted in 2020. Largemouth Bass abundance was low (11.47 fish/hour, 1.82 pounds average weight) in the previous 2014 spring electrofishing survey. Largemouth Bass numbers were abundant in the 2020 trapnets (2.60 fish/trapnet). The 2020 Largemouth Bass average size was small (0.68 pounds and 7.78 inches) from trapnets. A 20.87 inch Largemouth Bass was captured in the 2020 trapnets.

Northern Pike numbers were abundant in 2020 (8.33 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical catch rate is 2.94 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Northern Pike average size was small (2.34 pounds and 21.45 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 4.51 pounds from gillnets. The largest Northern Pike captured was 36.22 inches in the 2020 survey. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for East Solomon in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches or two larger than 26 inches.

Walleye numbers were low in 2020 (5.00 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical catch rate is 8.96 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Walleye average size was large (3.72 pounds and 21.76 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.57 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were excellent for ages 1-6. The 2015 and 2013 year classes (fry stocked years) comprised 44% and 17% respectively of the 2020 Walleye catch. Walleye natural reproduction in East Solomon is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys.

Fall electrofishing surveys have been conducted to evaluate Walleye fry stockings in East Solomon. Walleye fry have been stocked (500,000-1,200,000 fish per stocking) recently into East Solomon during 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017-2019. Moderate young of year "YOY" Walleye numbers (48.00 YOY/hour, 6.84 inches) were captured in the most recent 2019 fall electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye were absent in 2018 and 2017 fall electrofishing surveys. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (49.09 YOY/hour, 5.23 inches) were captured in the 2015 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (360.00 YOY/hour, 6.26 inches) were captured in 2013 fall electrofishing survey. The East Solomon Lake fall electrofishing Walleye historical average catch rate and length are 102.57 YOY/hour and 6.52 inches respectively.

Yellow Perch numbers were abundant in 2020 (24.00 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 10.32 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.11 pounds and 6.17 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight was 0.15 pounds from gillnets.

Black Bullhead numbers were moderate in 2020 (17.67 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate is 12.49 fish/gillnet for East Solomon. The 2020 Black Bullhead average size was large (1.19 pounds and 12.32 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.65 pounds from gillnets.

Common Carp numbers were low in 2020 (0.70 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 2.57 fish/trapnet for East Solomon. The 2020 Common Carp average size was large (10.13 pounds and 27.76 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 6.94 pounds from trapnets.

Current fish management activities on East Solomon 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 East Solomon fishery will be sampled in the 2025 summer for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for East Solomon Lake?

Are there any state parks near East Solomon Lake?