Middle Jefferson Lake

How big is Middle Jefferson Lake?

How deep is Middle Jefferson Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Middle Jefferson Lake?

What are the closest cities to Middle Jefferson Lake?

Are there boat launches on Middle Jefferson Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Middle Jefferson Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Middle Jefferson Lake?

Middle Jefferson Lake is a 705-acre lake located approximately 3 miles south southeast of Cleveland in Le Sueur County. No public boat ramps are located on the lake. Access is available via the channel connecting it to East Jefferson Lake where there is a DNR-maintained ramp located on the east side off Beaver Dam Road. The lake is a shallow, hypereutrophic lake characterized by low water clarity and excessive algae caused by the presence of nutrients such as phosphorus in the water. It is designated as an infested water body due to the establishment of Eurasian Watermilfoil. Given the maximum depth of 8 feet and elevated nutrient levels, Middle Jefferson Lake has been prone to periodic winterkill events in the past although none have occurred recently. The lake is primarily managed for Bluegill and Black Crappie and secondarily for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. The current management plan calls for stocking Walleye fry at a rate of 1,000 per littoral acre in odd years and Northern Pike fry annually. Middle Jefferson Lake is managed along with West and East Jefferson Lakes and German Lake as part of a chain of lakes known collectively as the Jefferson Chain. Since these lakes are openly connected to one another, fish migration must be considered and management is coordinated as such.

A standard survey was conducted the week of July 16, 2018 as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (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, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). The survey was completed to assess the fish community using 5 gill nets, 7 trap nets, and 87 minutes of boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also measured.

Bluegill were the most commonly sampled fish with the trap nets with a catch rate of 50.7/net, which indicated high numbers were present. In three surveys since 2008, this was the largest catch rate on record. The average catch rate during that time was 33.6/net. Lengths ranged from 2.8 to 8.2 inches with an average of 6.0 inches. An additional 53 Bluegills ranging from 3.7 to 8.8 inches were sampled with gill nets. Approximately 60% of the sample was 4 years old. Although size structure could improve, Middle Jefferson Lake supports a healthy Bluegill population.

Black Crappies were the most common fish sampled with gill nets with a total of 351 and a catch rate of 70.2/net, which indicated high numbers were present. Prior catch rates in 2008 (1.0/net) and 2013 (14.5/net) were much lower than in 2018. Lengths ranged from 4.3 to 12.4 inches with an average of 5.9 inches. Another 141 Black Crappies ranging from 4.2 to 11.8 inches were sampled with trap nets. Fish from both gears ranged from 1 to 6 years old with five year classes present. Most of the fish were small and young. Middle Jefferson Lake offers valuable habitat for these fish, which likely migrate throughout the chain, as they get older.

Twenty-eight Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 5.6/net which was greater than in 2008 (0.0/net) and 2013 (5.5/net). Lengths ranged from 19.3 to 29.3 inches with an average of 24.2 inches. Approximately 46% of the sample exceeded the legal minimum length of 24 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 4 years old with 4 year classes present. Over 80% of the sample was 3 or 4 years old. Northern Pike grow quickly in Middle Jefferson and likely exceed 24 inches during their third year of growth. Southern Zone Northern Pike regulations are in effect for Middle Jefferson Lake. Anglers are allowed two fish per day. All fish under 24 inches must be immediately released.

Largemouth Bass were sampled with spring boat electrofishing for the first time in 2018. Eighty-five fish were sampled with a catch rate of 58.4/hour on-time. Lengths ranged from 3.3 to 19.7 inches with an average of 9.2 inches. Of catchable size fish (? 8 inches), approximately 42% were larger than 15 inches. Middle Jefferson Lake offers quality habitat for Largemouth Bass and should be sampled with spring boat electrofishing in all future surveys.

Just 10 Walleyes were sampled with gill nets in 2018 for a catch rate of 2.0/net, indicating low numbers were present. Catch rates in 2018 were greater than in 2008 (1.0/net) and 2013 (0.0/net). Lengths ranged from 17.6 to 20.0 inches with an average of 19.2 inches. Nine of the ten fish were aged and were all 4 years old. No Walleyes were stocked in 2014 in Middle Jefferson Lake however; a number of fingerlings were stocked into adjacent West Jefferson Lake that year. It is possible these fish came from that stocking event and migrated into Middle Jefferson at some point.

A total of 43 Black Bullheads were sampled for a catch rate of 8.6/net, which was the lowest of the three surveys on record and indicated low to moderate numbers were present. Meanwhile, Yellow Bullheads increased from 0.0/net in 2008 to 3.0/net in 2013 to 16.0/net in 2018. This inverse relationship is common and is indicative of an increasingly stable environment where Yellow Bullheads are better suited. This should continue in the absence of winterkill or other lake wide disturbances.

Common Carp are also on the decline in Middle Jefferson Lake. Just 2 fish were sampled with gill nets in 2018 compared to 34.0/net in 2008 and 1.0/net in 2013. Like Black Bullheads, Common Carp thrive in highly degraded systems that experience frequent winterkill. As long as Middle Jefferson remains stable and healthy, Common Carp numbers should remain low and not interfere with game fish management.

Other species sampled in 2018 include Bowfin, Freshwater Drum, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, White Bass, Yellow Perch, and hybrid sunfish (Lepomis spp).

Water quality measurements included water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and secchi depth. Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of 1.8 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 9.6 ppm and 83.1 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 6.7 ppm and 80.8 degrees Fahrenheit at 6 feet. No thermocline was detected.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.
-Sky Wigen, specialist

What is the average air temp for Middle Jefferson Lake?

Are there any state parks near Middle Jefferson Lake?