Lake Florida

How big is Lake Florida?

How deep is Lake Florida?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Florida?

What are the closest cities to Lake Florida?

Are there boat launches on Lake Florida?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Florida?

What are the fishing regulations for Lake Florida?

There are specific fishing regulations Lake Florida that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Florida?

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye on Florida was conducted during September 19, 2023. Three stations were sampled for a total of 30 minutes. Submergent vegetation densities were moderate. Water clarity was moderate (2.3 feet). We observed abundant numbers of Largemouth Bass, Shiners/Darters, Black Crappie and Bluegill. 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).

Florida is a moderate sized (705 acres), moderate depth (40 feet maximum), good water clarity (10 feet secchi on 7/8/19), and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Submergent and emergent aquatic vegetation species are abundant within Florida. Invasive species such as Eurasian Watermilfoil (2009) and Zebra Mussels (2016) are present in Florida. There are abundant numbers of Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike during most years in Florida.

The Walleye population in past years for Florida was due primarily to fingerling or yearling stockings based on previous surveys. Moderate adult Walleye numbers (5.33 fish/gillnet) were caught in the 2019 summer survey. Multiple year classes (2017, 2016 and 2014) comprised 63% of the 2019 Walleye summer survey catch. Although past Walleye fingerlings stockings have been successful, a less expensive Walleye fry stocking was attempted in 2017. Additional fry stockings occurred in 2019, 2021 and 2023 in order to evaluate a change in Walleye stocking strategies for Florida and several other area lakes (Games, Andrew, Monson and Eagle). Walleye fingerling/yearling stockings are contingent the same year if the fry stockings are unsuccessful as documented by fall electrofishing. Florida was recently stocked with Walleye in 2009 (16,632 fingerlings, 927 pounds), 2010 (4,740 yearlings, 158 pounds), 2011 (19,233 fingerlings, 965 pounds; 1,410 yearlings, 290 pounds), 2013 (23,502 fingerlings, 1,130 pounds), 2015 (113 fingerlings, 21 pounds; 3,943 yearlings, 1,597 pounds; 76 adults, 63 pounds), 2017 (256,823 Spicer strain fry; 18,170 fingerlings, 1,069 pounds), 2019 (267,702 Spicer strain fry; 12,421 fingerlings, 1,160 pounds; 126 adults, 28 pounds), 2021 (267,702 Spicer strain fry; 2,945 fingerlings, 351 pounds; 174 adults, 75 pounds) and 2023 (201,248 fry; 1,078 fingerlings, 501 pounds; 160 yearlings, 34 pounds; 10 adults, 10 pounds). Walleye fry were stocked from a truck fish tank with a stocking tube at the Lake Florida public access site, unlike successful (>50 YOY/hour) fry stocked lakes such as Games and Andrew. These successful lakes were stocked by boat with 5-6 jugs (each 5 gallon size jug containing oxygen, water and fry) in the deeper portion near the middle of the lake during 2017. Predation upon fry by other fish (i.e. Bluegill or other species) may be greater in the near shore areas of moderate to excellent clarity lakes like Andrew, Games and Florida. Both fry stocking methods have been successful in shallow and turbid lakes during the past. However, Walleye fry had poor results when stocked in the middle and deepest part of Florida during 2023 and 2019, but were successful in Andrew.

No YOY or Yearling Walleye were captured in the 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. Low numbers of 2+ age fish were captured. Low YOY Walleye numbers were caught in 2019 (2.40 YOY/hour, 5.24 inches) and 2017 (20.57 YOY/hour, 6.22 inches average length) fall night electrofishing surveys as compared to other Spicer Area lakes. However, YOY Walleye catch rates of 10-30 fish per hour may be adequate for providing a moderate year class in larger or clearer lakes. Two prior fall electrofishing surveys were conducted during the mid 1990's, but no YOY Walleye were caught.

Current fish management activities on Florida include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, participating in local watershed initiatives, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Florida fishery will be surveyed in the 2024 summer for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for Lake Florida?

Are there any state parks near Lake Florida?