Mill Pond

How big is Mill Pond?

How deep is Mill Pond?

What kind of fish can you catch in Mill Pond?

Are there boat launches on Mill Pond?

Are there places to eat and drink near Mill Pond?

Austin Mill Pond is a small 19.0 acre impoundment located on the Cedar River which runs through the Town of Austin in Mower County. There is a MNDNR owned concrete public access located on the north end of the impoundment. Austin Mill pond provides ample shore angling opportunity as there is a fishing pier located on the south side of the impoundment and a walking trail on the north side of the impoundment. Austin Mill pond has a maximum depth of 17 feet. The water was clear during the assessment and had a secchi depth reading of 4.0 feet. A dissolved oxygen profile was taken and ranged from 9.4 ppm at the surface to 8.6 ppm at 8.0 feet. The sport fish community consists of northern pike, channel catfish, black crappie, and bluegill. Walleye fingerlings and adults were stocked in 2007, but stocking is currently not being used as a management option. A population assessment was conducted on 8-13-2012 to monitor the fish community in Austin Mill Pond using 1 gill net and 6 trap nets.

Bluegill and black crappie are the primary management species at Austin Mill Pond. Black crappie abundance was low as indicated by a catch rate of 2.0/trap net, which is below average when compared to similar lakes. Black crappie abundance has steadily declined since the 1992 survey decreasing from 24.1, to 14.7, to 4.8, to 2.0/trap net in 1992, 1998, 2007, and 2012, respectively. Black crappies ranged in length from 4.5 to 9.1 inches and averaged 8.0 inches.

Bluegill abundance was also low (6.0/trap net) in 2012, which is below average when compared to similar lakes. The 2012 bluegill catch rate was consistent with historical catch rates which have been between 2.1 and 7.8/trap net. The bluegills were small, with 83% being less than 5.0 inches long. The largest bluegill captured was 8.5 inches long.

Northern pike were captured at a rate of 4/gill net which is low compared to similar lakes, but was the highest catch rate of pike observed on this water body. Northern pike ranged in length from 15.5 to 22.6 inches and averaged 19.2 inches.

Two channel catfish were captured in the gill net (2.0/gill net) and were 21.2 and 22.6 inches in length. White sucker, yellow perch, shorthead redhorse, black bullhead, pumpkinseed, rock bass, and yellow bullhead were also captured but occurred in low abundance.

What is the average air temp for Mill Pond?

Are there any state parks near Mill Pond?