Lake Volney

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How deep is Lake Volney?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Volney?

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Are there topographical lake maps available Lake Volney?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Lake Volney (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Lake Volney

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Introduction
Volney Lake is a 283 acre lake located in Le Sueur County southeast of the town of Le Center. A DNR-owned public access is located on the southeast corner of the lake off 185th Avenue. With a maximum depth of 67 feet, Volney Lake is the deepest lake in the area. It is also one of the clearest lakes in the area. About 46% of the lake is considered littoral (> 15 feet deep). Based on limnological variables and lake characteristics, Volney Lake is placed in Lake Class 24. Other lakes in this lake class include Madison (Blue Earth County), Mazaska (Rice County), and Reeds (Waseca County). Volney Lake is primarily managed for black crappie and secondarily managed for bluegill and walleye. Walleye are stocked according to a base stocking plan of stocking fry three out of every four years at a rate of 1,000 fish per littoral acre. Walleye fingerlings (1.5 pound/acre) are stocked every other year if a fall electrofishing evaluation deems necessary (catch rate below 30.0 fish/hour). Northern pike are also stocked according to a base stocking plan of stocking fry annually at a rate of 50,000 fry per year. Northern pike fry are stocked into an adjacent wetland northeast of the lake, rather than directly into the lake. Volney Lake was surveyed the week of June 10, 2014 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying trap nets and gill nets, as well as recording water quality parameters.

Walleye
The walleye population in Volney Lake has varied in abundance throughout the past twenty years and has been relatively low since the early 1990s. The walleye catch rate in the 2014 survey was 1.8 fish/gill net, which marked an increase from 2009 (0.8 fish/gill net). Walleye lengths ranged from 9.5 to 20.0 inches and averaged 16.0 inches. Most fish from this survey were from the 2012 year class (age-2). The average length of age-2 walleye was 14.7 inches. Walleye growth rates in Volney Lake appear to be about average compared to similar lakes in the area. The only year class missing from this survey within the past four years was 2011, when no walleye stocking took place. This suggests that little to no natural reproduction takes place in Volney Lake.

Black Crappie
Black crappie catch rates in trap nets have varied throughout the survey history of Volney Lake. In 2009, trap nets yielded 6.7 fish/net. In the 2014 survey, the trap net catch rate was 94.3, which marked a record high for Volney Lake. A vast majority of these black crappie were young, small fish, which suggests a strong year class will be working through the fishery in the coming years. Lengths of black crappie collected in trap nets ranged from 3.0 to 11.7 inches, indicating a relatively good size structure. Black crappie were also sampled in gill nets at a rate of 2.0 fish/net. These fish ranged in length from 4.2 to 12.1 inches. Although black crappie were not aged, the population appears to be comprised of numerous size classes. Like all panfish in Volney Lake, the black crappie population is sustained by natural recruitment.

Bluegill
The bluegill catch rate in 2014 was 11.8 fish/trap net, which closely resembled the long-term average for Volney Lake (12.5 fish/trap net). Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.9 to 9.1 inches, with most fish measuring between 6.0 and 7.0 inches, which indicates a relatively small size structure. The clear water and abundant macrophytes of Volney Lake provide ideal bluegill habitat and make it a quality bluegill fishery.

Yellow Perch
Yellow perch were the second most abundant fish species observed in the gill nets, ranking right behind freshwater drum. The 2014 catch rate of 9.7 fish/net was a decrease from the catch rate of 2009 (27.2 fish/net). Yellow perch lengths ranged from 6.6 to 10.0 inches and averaged 8.0 inches, indicating a relatively small size structure of yellow perch. Although yellow perch were not aged, most fish appeared to be from the same year class. Small size structures of yellow perch are common among lakes in south-central Minnesota. However, young yellow perch are often the main forage fish for predators, such as walleye.


Northern Pike
The northern pike population in Volney Lake has remained in relatively low abundance since the early 1990s, averaging only 0.7 fish/net throughout the past twenty years. The 2014 catch rate increased to 1.5 fish/net, which is average for similar lakes in the area. The lengths of northern pike ranged from 18.7 to 35.9 inches and averaged 26.2 inches, indicating a moderate size class. Starting in 2013, northern pike fry have been stocked annually in an attempt to increase the population. The fry are stocked into a connected wetland northeast of the lake.

Other Species
Freshwater drum were abundant during the 2014 survey, with catch rates of 9.8 fish/gill net and 6.4 fish/trap net. Freshwater drum have a firm, white flesh and make good table fare. Other fish species collected in this survey in low abundance included bowfin (N = 4), common carp (N = 1), and black bullhead (N = 3). Although not observed in 2014, reports of flathead catfish in Lake Volney have been received.

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 recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community 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. 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.

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Are there any state parks near Lake Volney?