Carey Lake

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Carey Lake, also known as DuPont Lake, is located about five miles east of Hibbing, MN and within the St. Louis River Watershed. The small lake is 139 acres (100% littoral) with a maximum depth of 13.5 feet and 2 miles of shoreline. All of the shoreline is within the 1,100 acre Carey Lake Park and Recreational Area, controlled by the City of Hibbing. There is a small boat access on the east side with limited parking availability. There is a <10 hp outboard restriction on the lake and seaplane base on the southwest side. There is one seasonal outlet (Carey Creek) to Dempsey creek. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked five times at a rate of 1 pound/littoral acre (139 pounds) since 2003.

Northern pike were the most numerous fish sampled in gill nets, at a rate of 16.0/net, almost double the expected range (3.0-8.3/net) for lakes similar to Carey. The catch represents a historic high, surpassing the previous high of 4.0/net in 1977. Size structure appeared favorable with lengths from 16.6 to 37.2 inches and an average of 21.5 inches. Scale and bone analysis identified ages 2-10 present indicating consistent recruitment. Averaged back-calculated growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 23.9 inches by age 5. Neascus (black spot) was observed on 6 of 43 externally examined fish.

Walleye were sampled at a rate of 2.2/gill net, within the expected range and the previous assessment (2.0/net, 1997). Lengths were typically from 14 to 20 inches with one 7.4 inch fish sampled. Scale and bone analysis identified three ages of fish, corresponding to the stocked years of 2011, 2007, and 2005. Average growth was slow, below the statewide average. Walleye averaged 16.2 inches by age 6 in Carey Lake.

Black crappie were sampled at a rate of 13.5/gill net, exceeding the expected range (0.5-5.5/net) and the previous assessment (6.2/net). Crappie were also sampled at a rate of 1.3/trap net, within the expected range, yet down from the previous assessment (12.1/net). Size structure was moderate in the gill net sample and also being comparable to the trap net sample and the previous assessment. Lengths ranged from 4.2 to 9.7 inches with an average length of 6.5 inches. Scale analysis identified ages 1-8 in the sample indicating consistent recruitment. The 2010 year class was dominant, comprising 33% of the aged sample, while the other year classes were fairly consistent. Average back-calculated growth was determined to be slow, below the statewide average for all ages. Black crappie averaged nine inches by age 8.

Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 2.7/trap net, near the low end of the expected range and down from the previous assessment (10.9/net). Size structure was poor as lengths ranged from 3 to 7.4 inches with an average of 5 inches.

Other species sampled included brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

As part of IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) near shore sampling, Jonny darter, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, and yellow perch were sampled in one seine hauls. Backpack electrofishing sampled Iowa darter, Jonny darter, black bullhead, bluegill, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, fathead minnow, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, spottail shiner, and yellow perch in 10 stations.

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