Slough Lake

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INTRODUCTION
Slough Lake (West Dead Coon) is a 162.0-acre located 3.5 miles to the southeast of the City of Arco in Lincoln County. Historically, Slough Lake was a wetland, but water levels began to increase in the mid-1980's, similar to other lakes in that area (Lake Wilson, Wood, and East Twin). Since the increase in water level, Slough Lake has a maximum depth of 13.0 feet and has decent water quality with a secchi depth of 5.0 feet in September of 2014. Slough Lake is managed primarily for yellow perch and secondarily for walleye and black crappie. Slough Lake has not been stocked since 2003, when adult walleyes were stocked. Boat access to the lake is through the Wildlife Management Area on the northwest side, but is difficult because it is not concrete and is shallow. A population assessment was conducted the week of September 9, 2014 to monitor fish populations in Slough Lake.

YELLOW PERCH
In the initial survey in 2002, yellow perch were captured at a rate of 302.5 per gill net. In 2014, yellow perch were captured at a rate of 24.0 per gill net, which is more realistic, given that the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes is 2.7 to 25.0 per gill net. Yellow perch were small as lengths ranged from 6.3 to 8.6 inches and averaged 7.6 inches. Yellow perch were plump, indicating that forage is abundant. Yellow perch have not been stocked in Slough Lake by the MNDNR, so this appears to be a naturally reproducing population that is able to sustain itself.

WALLEYE
A population of walleye continues to be present in Slough Lake despite not being stocked since 2003. A catch rate of 1.5 per gill net was observed during the initial survey in 2002. In 2014, the walleye catch rate increased significantly to 8.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.3 to 18.1 per gill net). Walleye ages were estimated from otoliths. Five year classes of walleye were sampled including 2013 (age-1), 2011 (age-3), 2009 (age-5), 2008 (age-6) and 2007 (age-7) which means that some degree of natural reproduction is occurring or walleye are being illegally stocked, as it is very unlikely that fish can get into Slough Lake from Dead Coon Lake. Growth of walleye in Slough Lake was similar to growth observed in other class 43 lakes, with mean back calculated lengths at age being 9.3 inches at age-1, 13.5 inches at age-2, 16.1 inches at age-3, 18.4 inches at age-4, 20.2 inches at age-5, 21.2 inches at age-6, and 21.3 inches at age-7. Lengths of walleyes caught in gill nets ranged from 12.7 to 27.6 inches and averaged 22.5 inches, and in trap nets ranged from 6.0 to 25.4 inches and averaged 17.6 inches. Black bullheads and yellow perch account for much of the walleye forage base in Slough Lake. It appears that Slough Lake supports a fishable walleye population.

BLACK CRAPPIE
Three black crappie were sampled during the 2014 survey, marking the first time that they have been sampled in a survey on Slough Lake. The black crappie were small, ranging from 3.0 to 3.8 inches in length. Black crappie appear to occur at a very low abundance in Slough Lake.

BLACK BULLHEAD
Abundance of black bullhead has remained stable since the initial survey in 2002 (138.0 per gill net), as black bullhead were captured at a rate of 169.5 per gill net in 2014. The 2014 catch rate is above the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (30.3 to 150.6 per gill net). Black bullhead ranged in length from 5.8 to 10.3 inches and averaged 9.0 inches.

OTHER SPECIES
One bluegill was captured in a trap net, marking the first time that this species has been documented in Slough Lake. The bluegill was likely illegally introduced by an angler.

Although not sampled in the survey, reports of channel catfish being caught at Slough Lake were received during the spring of 2014, with one of the channel catfish being caught by a MNDNR Fisheries staff member. Again, channel catfish were likely illegally introduced by an angler. To avoid unintended introductions, anglers should be diligent about disposing of unused bait in the trash, and should report unpermitted movement of fish.

Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain or improve water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Best management practices within the watershed (no-till farming, cover crops, buffer strips, targeted fertilizer application, reduced or metered tiling) would help reduce nutrients entering the lake. High nutrient and sediment input can cause algae blooms and reduce overall water quality. Any improvements in the watershed are likely to have positive impacts on the fishery.

Prepared by Jonah Dagel

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