Minnetaga Lake

How big is Minnetaga Lake?

How deep is Minnetaga Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Minnetaga Lake?

What are the closest cities to Minnetaga Lake?

Are there boat launches on Minnetaga Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Minnetaga Lake?

A standard survey of Minnetaga was conducted during early July of 2016. A fall electrofishing survey was conducted on September 12, 2016 to assess young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye abundance in Minnetaga. An initial fish survey was completed in 2007. Minnetaga is a moderate sized (791 acres), shallow (9 feet deep), turbid and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. There are two public access sites along the east shore which include a newly completed state owned gravel boat ramp and a road right away access off the county gravel road. Low water levels can make large boat access difficult at the public sites. An Aquatic Management Area is located across the road along Lake Kasota. Moderate nutrient runoff inflows are common into Minnetaga during rain events from agricultural sources via the shoreline areas, tiles, and ditches. The outlet flows into Lake Kasota (6 feet deep) which connects to other shallow lakes (Little Kandiyohi and eventually Lake Wakanda). A swinging finger fish barrier is located on the downstream (Kasota side) culvert end of the outlet. Intense blue-green algae blooms can be common in Minnetaga during the summer months. Aquatic vegetation species present are limited mostly to sago pondweed, filamentous algae and water moss. The water clarity was poor (secchi disc=1.4 feet) for Minnetaga on June 13, 2016. The water is a brown stained color. Winterkills have been relatively uncommon in Minnetaga during recent years. A partial winterkill of gamefish may have occurred during the 2007 08 winter due to low oxygen conditions; however, there were no local reports of dead fish seen along the shore in the 2008 spring. Excellent Walleye fishing had occurred prior to January of 2013 on both Minnetaga and Kasota. Nearby, connected Lake Kasota and Lake Wakanda had significant winterkills of Common Carp and Walleye during late January or early February of 2013. No significant numbers of dead fish were noted on Minnetaga during the spring of 2014. Ice out trapnets captured Walleye that were 20+ inches in size from Minnetaga during the spring of 2013.

Northern Pike numbers were low in 2016 (0.50 fish/gillnet) compared to then normal range of similar lakes. The 2007 Northern Pike catch rate was 6.00 fish/gillnet. The 2016 Northern Pike average size was large (7.91 pounds and 33.23 inches) from gillnets. Minnetaga has been a popular shore fishing area for catching large Northern Pike in the past.

Yellow Perch numbers were moderately abundant in 2016 (19.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The 2007 Yellow Perch catch rate was 28.50 fish/gillnet. The 2016 Yellow Perch average was moderate (0.32 pounds and 8.79 inches) from gillnets. There were abundant numbers of Yellow Perch 8.0 inches and larger in the 2016 survey catch. Yellow Perch growth rates were excellent. The 2013 year class comprised 69% of the 2016 Yellow Perch survey catch.

Walleye numbers were abundant in 2016 (39.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The 2007 Walleye catch rate was 9.25 fish/gillnet. The 2016 Walleye average size was small (0.84 pounds and 12.24 inches) from gillnets. There were abundant numbers of Walleye 15.0 inches and larger in the 2016 survey catch. Walleye growth rates were average. The 2014 year class comprised 73% of the 2016 Walleye survey catch. Local anglers reported excellent success catching Walleye from shore during the 2016 fall.

Walleye natural reproduction is generally insignificant in Minnetaga. Walleye movement in or out of Minnetaga is possible with connected Kasota and Wakanda Lakes. Walleye fry (about 770,000 fry per year) were recently stocked into Minnetaga from 2008 2012, 2014 and 2016. YOY Walleye abundance was low in 2016 (4.0 YOY/hour, 6.9 inches). YOY Walleye numbers were abundant (192.0 YOY/hour, 5.9 inches) in the 2014 fall electrofishing survey. No fall electrofishing surveys were conducted in 2011-2012 due to poor access and low water conditions. No yearling Walleye were captured in Minnetaga during 2014 or 2016. Walleye fry will be stocked in 2017 due to low YOY Walleye numbers in 2016.

Black Bullhead numbers were low in 2016 (4.25 fish/trapnet, 21.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal ranges for similar lakes. The 2007 Black Bullhead catch rates were 3.67 fish/trapnet and 36.00 fish/gillnet. The 2016 Black Bullhead average size was moderate (0.42 pounds).

Common Carp numbers were abundant in 2016 (15.17 fish/trapnet, 16.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal ranges for similar lakes. The 2007 Common Carp catch rates were 3.67 fish/trapnet and 7.25 fish/gillnet. The 2016 Common Carp average sizes were moderate from trapnets (4.20 pounds and 19.4 inches) and small from gillnets (1.96 pounds and 15.9 inches).

Other fish species captured during 2016 included high numbers of White Sucker (32.00 fish/gillnet). Low numbers of Bigmouth Buffalo (0.17 fish/trapnet), Black Crappie (0.25 fish/trapnet) and Channel Catfish (0.08 fish/trapnet) were also caught in 2016.

Current fish management activities on Minnetaga include monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species will be sampled in 2021. Fall electrofishing surveys will be conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

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Are there any state parks near Minnetaga Lake?