Elizabeth (Main Lake)

How big is Elizabeth (Main Lake)?

How deep is Elizabeth (Main Lake)?

What kind of fish can you catch in Elizabeth (Main Lake)?

What are the closest cities to Elizabeth (Main Lake)?

Are there boat launches on Elizabeth (Main Lake)?

Are there places to eat and drink near Elizabeth (Main Lake)?

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Lake Elizabeth during September 7, 2023 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to fry stocking/natural reproduction. The 2023 fall electrofishing survey was conducted at three stations for a total of 25 minutes. Water levels were low with moderate sago pondweed present. Water clarity was poor (<1 foot). Water temperature was at 77 F. We observed low/moderate numbers of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead and Common Carp in the 2023 fall electrofishing survey. Most species observed were YOY fish in addition to a few adults (Common Carp). 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).

Elizabeth is a large (1,023 acres), shallow (9 feet maximum depth), turbid, periodically aerated and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. A significant winterkill of Walleye and Common Carp with a lesser degree of Northern Pike and Yellow Perch occurred during the 2022-23 winter. Many of the dead fish were observed in the access bay adjacent to the Ella Outlet. The surface aerators were run the entire 2022-23 winter (Northeast side of Elizabeth), but the fish kill occurred primarily on the northwest side of the lake. Lake Ella also experienced a significant winterkill of Walleye and Common Carp. The Elizabeth ice out trapnetting catch (9 single frame sets during late April of 2023) consisted of numerous adult Northern Pike and Black Bullhead in addition to low numbers of adult Common Carp, Walleye and Black Crappie. Ice out test netting was conducted for potential Walleye egg take and Northern Pike propagation. Poor conditions such as high snowfall, long winter duration, low water and high aquatic vegetation contributed to the winterkill severity in many local lakes for 2022-23 winter. The aeration system did provide a refuge for some gamefish to survive in Elizabeth.

Walleye natural reproduction in Elizabeth is sporadic during most years based on previous surveys. Although, adequate windswept shoal water substrates for good Walleye spawning habitat are present in Elizabeth. Walleye egg take had occurred in recent years on Elizabeth for statewide quotas. Walleye fry (0.3-1.0 million) had been stocked generally every other year from 1983 to 2013 in Elizabeth. Spicer strain Walleye have been stocked into Elizabeth since 2005. Walleye fry are currently stocked every year during egg take operations. About 513,000 fry were stocked in 2023 and 2022. No walleye fry were stocked in 2020 due to Covid. In 2019, 251,955 Walleye fry were stocked in Elizabeth. There were 205,472 Walleye fry stocked in Elizabeth during 2018 (part of egg take return). In 2017, there were 510,003 Spicer strain Walleye stocked in Elizabeth. Approximately 1.06 million Walleye fry were stocked in 2014 (part of a 10% return for Walleye egg take) and 2013 (scheduled stocking and 10% return). Walleye fingerlings were only stocked with substantial numbers in 1996 (46,000 fish), however recruitment was poor due in part to a partial winterkill in 1997.

Moderate young of year "YOY" Walleye numbers were collected in a 2023 daytime electrofishing survey (16.80 YOY/hour, 5.66 inches). Abundant YOY (92.00 YOY/hour, 6.02 inches) were captured in a 2022 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. A fall electrofishing survey was not conducted in Elizabeth during 2021. Low YOY Walleye numbers (1.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches) were captured in 2020 fall electrofishing survey. Walleye natural reproduction success was poor in 2020. Abundant YOY (80.00 YOY/hour, 6.52 inches) and Yearling Walleye numbers (24.00 fish/hour, 10.64 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (52.00 YOY/hour, 6.78 inches) were captured in the 2018 fall electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers (30.00 YOY/hour, 6.44 inches average) were captured in 2017. Yearling Walleye numbers captured were also low (4.00 fish/hour, 10.39 inches average) in 2017. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (77.42 YOY/hour, 6.34 inches) were captured in 2016 fall night electrofishing survey. There were no yearling Walleye captured in the 2016 fall electrofishing survey. Low numbers of YOY Walleye (30.00 YOY/hour, 5.52 inches) were captured in the 2015 fall night electrofishing survey. These fish were from natural reproduction or/and movement into Elizabeth from connected Lake Ella. Walleye fry (152,000 fish) were stocked into Ella during 2015. Abundant numbers of Walleye were captured in the 2014 (567.01 YOY/hour, 5.85 inches average) and 2013 (133.13 YOY/hour, 5.51 inches average) Elizabeth fall electrofishing surveys. Yearling Walleye numbers were abundant (78.00 fish/hour, 9.67 inches average) in the 2015 fall electrofishing survey.

Adult Walleye were low (3.67 fish/gillnet, 3.16 pounds and 20.8 inches) in the most recent 2022 June gillnet and trapnet survey. The 2018 year class comprised 41% of the 2022 survey catch. However, Walleye numbers are reduced as of 2023 due to the recent winterkill. A partial winterkill of mostly Common Carp with lower numbers of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie occurred due to high snowfall accumulations resulting in low oxygen levels in late February of 2019. However, we caught abundant numbers of Walleye and other gamefish during our April Walleye egg takes in 2019, 2021 and 2022. We took 106 quarts of Walleye eggs during 2019, however the hatching/fertilization success was poor due in part to stress on fish by low winter oxygen levels and rapidly warming temperatures (>50 F) during egg take. We took 160 quarts of Walleye eggs in 2021, but the hatch was poor (25%) likely due to warm water temperatures above 50 F. during the egg take. Oxygen levels were low in February of 2022 even with the aeration system running, but no winterkill was observed. The Walleye spawning population consisted mostly of females in the 2022 egg take netting. Walleye hatch percentage was close to 69% from Elizabeth eggs due in part to ideal water temperature (44-50 F) during the 2022 spring egg take. No Walleye eggs were taken in 2020 (covid) or 2023 (winterkill).

The Elizabeth fishery will be surveyed in the 2026 summer for all fish species. Walleye fry are scheduled to be stocked annually (up to 500,000 fish). Fall electrofishing surveys will be periodically conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

What is the average air temp for Elizabeth (Main Lake)?

Are there any state parks near Elizabeth (Main Lake)?