Middle Lake

How big is Middle Lake?

How deep is Middle Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Middle Lake?

What are the closest cities to Middle Lake?

Are there boat launches on Middle Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Middle Lake?

A standard survey of Middle Lake was conducted in June of 2019. 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).

Middle is a moderate to small sized (368 acres), shallow (11 feet maximum depth), non-aerated and productive lake located between Norway and Andrew lakes in northwestern Kandiyohi County. Historically, Middle Lake was known as an excellent waterfowl hunting lake. Low dissolved oxygen can be a persistent problem during some late winters (i.e. heavy snowfall conditions) for Middle resulting in winterkill of various fish species. A partial winterkill of Northern Pike occurred along the west side of Middle in March of 2011. A partial winterkill (i.e. Sunfish species and Largemouth Bass?) probably occurred during February of 2019, although dead floating fish were not initially apparent in Middle. Winter dissolved oxygen levels were below 0.25 ppm on March 8, 2019. Residential development (2 homes) is minimal, in addition to a few homes or farm sites across roads adjacent to the lake. There are two public access sites, which includes a carry-in canoe access via Sibley State Park on the east shore and a public gravel boat access adjacent to an Aquatic Management Area along the southwest shore. The immediate watershed consists mostly of hardwood areas associated with nearby Sibley State Park, wetland areas, agricultural row crops south of the lake and nearby residential lake homes on Andrew and Norway lakes. Nutrient levels were high (total phosphorus=0.055 mg/l, chlorophyll-a=43.2 ppb) during June of 2010 for Middle. Nutrient inputs are primarily from agricultural row crop runoff via several intermittent inlets along the south shore. Water clarity was excellent (10.00 feet) on June 10, 2019. Dissolved oxygen was near 12 ppm at depths from 1-9 feet. Emergent vegetation (cattail species, hardstem bulrush, cane, reed canary grass) densities are abundant within and along the shoreline of Middle. Submergent vegetation species were limited and moderate in density during 2010. The most common occurring submergent species present within Middle were bushy pondweed, flat-stem pondweed, floating-leaf pondweed, muskgrass and northern milfoil in 2010. In 2015, filamentous algae, coontail and northern milfoil were abundant and inhibited navigation in Middle. In 2019, frequently occurring aquatic vegetation included bushy pondweed, Canada waterweed, filamentous algae, northern milfoil, water moss, coontail, flat-stemmed pondweed, floating pondweed and sago pondweed. The most common occurring shoalwater substrates include sand and silt. Water levels were above normal in 2019. There are several intermittent marsh connected inlets along the north and east shores. The outlet connects to Lake Andrew. The outlet connection frequently resulted in fish species moving into Middle Lake (i.e. Northern Pike, Common Carp, etc.) to spawn in the spring and early summer when flows are adequate. There was a swinging finger fish barrier structure on the outlet culvert, but it was ineffective during high flows. A new stainless steel barrier with a one piece front plate composed of small slots, instead of individual swinging fingers, was installed during the 2019 spring. Middle Lake was directly connected to Norway Lake in the past along the county road, but this connection has not been present for many years since the road was upgraded. Middle Lake has only two recorded fish stockings which occurred during May-June of 1997 with adult Bluegill (945 fish, 135 pounds) and Black Crappie (81 fish, 45 pounds). Middle Lake had been a popular lake for winter Black Crappie fishing in past years when winter oxygen levels were adequate to sustain fish survival over several years. Middle is presently managed as a boom and bust fishery primarily for Northern Pike in conjunction with the DNR shallow lakes program.

Northern Pike numbers were moderate in 2019 (5.00 fish/gillnet). Northern Pike abundance was high in 2015 (19.00 fish/gillnet, 22.87 inches) and 2010 (18.33 fish/gillnet, 20.48 inches). The 2019 Northern Pike gillnet average size was small (1.81 pounds and 20.50 inches). Only one Northern Pike greater than 23.00 inches was captured in the 2019 survey nets. Northern Pike growth rates were slow in Middle. The 2016 year class comprised 82% of the 2019 Northern Pike survey catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Middle 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.

Bluegill were not sampled in survey nets during 2019. Bluegill abundance was high in 2015 (136.11 fish/trapnet, 4.58 inches). Bluegill likely succumbed to winterkill in Middle Lake during February of 2019. There were no other sunfish species such as Pumpkinseed or Hybrid Sunfish present in the 2019 survey nets. Abundant numbers of Pumpkinseed (12.78 fish/trapnet), Green Sunfish (4.89 fish/trapnet) and Hybrid Sunfish (14.89 fish/trapnet) were captured in 2015. These sunfish species were generally small sized (0.07-0.14 pounds average size) in 2015.

Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2019 (3.00 fish/gillnet. The 2015 Yellow Perch catch rate was 5.00 fish/gillnet. The 2019 Yellow Perch gillnet average size was small (0.08 pounds and 5.56 inches). The 2016 year class comprised 100% of the 2019 Yellow Perch survey catch. Yellow Perch growth rates were slow in Middle.

Black Bullhead numbers were low in 2019 (7.00 fish/gillnet). Black Bullhead abundance was high in 2015 (207.00 fish/gillnet). The 2019 Black Bullhead gillnet average size was moderate (0.60 pounds and 10.20 inches). No Yellow Bullhead were present in the 2019 survey nets. Yellow Bullhead abundance was 1.67 fish/gillnet in 2015.

Common Carp were not captured in the 2019 and 2015 survey nets. Common Carp abundance in high the 2010 survey (5.00 fish/gillnet, 3.11 fish/trapnet). Three Golden Shiners were captured in the 2019 survey nets. Bowfin were not present in the 2019 survey nets. Bowfin abundance was 1.89 fish/trapnet in 2015.

Current fish management activities on Middle include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Middle Lake fishery will be assessed in the 2024 summer for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for Middle Lake?

Are there any state parks near Middle Lake?