Mud Lake

How big is Mud Lake?

How deep is Mud Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Mud Lake?

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Are there places to eat and drink near Mud Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Mud Lake?

Mud is a 53 acre lake with 98% (52 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake is located just south of Twig, MN and has no public access. Prior to this survey, Mud had never been surveyed by DNR Fisheries. Mud was surveyed during the summer of 2011 to gather baseline information about fish populations and aquatic habitat.

A total of 14 largemouth bass were sampled with electrofishing equipment. The catch rate of largemouth bass was 10.1 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. Largemouth bass average length was 14.8 inches and growth was fast compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2002 through 2010 were represented in the sample, with a strong 2005 year-class.

Northern pike abundance was 3.0 per gillnet lift and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 22.6 inches and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. A total of 17 northern pike were also captured in the trapnets, with fish up to 40.1 inches sampled. All year-classes from 2003 to 2010 were represented except 2004.

Bluegill abundance was 4.4 per trapnet lift and was average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of sampled bluegills was 6.0 inches and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2005 to 2009 were represented.

Black crappie abundance was 0.8 per trapnet lift and was average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie mean length was 7.5 inches but not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. Recruitment appears sporadic, with only the 2005, 2006 and 2010 year-classes represented.

One large 26.7 inch walleye was captured in the trapnets. This fish likely emigrated from Pike Lake which is connected to Mud Lake by the Pine River.

Zero yellow perch were captured in the gillnets. A total of five yellow perch were captured in trapnets. Average length of perch was 6.2 inches but not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. Perch from the 2006 and 2008 year-classes were represented.

Other fish species sampled included black bullhead, Iowa darter, central mudminnow, creek chub, golden shiner, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish and white sucker.

Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate and water quality. Twenty-one aquatic plant species or species groups were identified along 10 transects. Coontail, bladderwort, star duckweed and white waterlily were the most frequently found plants (100% of transects) followed by narrow-leaf pondweed, northern milfoil and yellow water lily (90% of transects). The most common substrate types were muck, detritus and sand which were identified along 100%, 80% and 40% of the transects, respectively. Results of laboratory water analysis indicate Mud is a slightly acidic, moderately hard water lake with low fertility.

Oxygen concentrations too low to support most game fish species were observed in water depths greater than 4 feet. Decomposition of abundant submerged vegetation, warm water temperatures, and minor contributions of atmospheric oxygen due to low lake fetch contributes to this condition.

Mud Lake was included in an index of biotic integrity (IBI) assessment in 2011. In addition to standard gillnets and trapnets, beach seines and backpack electrofishing equipment were used to index species richness of the nearshore lake habitat.

What is the average air temp for Mud Lake?

Are there any state parks near Mud Lake?