Kohlmeier Lake in Steele County is a 32 acre lake located within the city of Owatonna. A city owned public access is located on the east side of the lake off 18th street southwest. A fishing pier is located on the north end of the lake off Swimming Pool Road. A local ordinance covering the lake allows for electric trolling motor use only.
A fisheries population assessment was conducted the week of July 7th, 2008 to monitor the fish community. Gill netting was difficult due to heavy curlyleaf pondweed growth. Gill net catches were comprised mostly of black bullhead (28.5 fish per net), bluegill (8.5 fish per net), yellow bullhead (4.5 fish per net), and black crappie (4.5 fish per net). Two northern pike, one hybrid sunfish, and a largemouth bass were also caught in the gill nets.
Trap netting was difficult from slow sloping shorelines and seasonal low water. Trap net catches were overwhelmed with bluegill. Bluegills were trap netted at a rate of 190.6 fish per net. Size range was poor, between 3.4 and 6.0 inches. Average size was 4.7 inches. Hybrid and green sunfish were netted at a rate of 5.0 and 2.8 fish per trap net respectively. Other fish captured in the trap nets at trace levels were white sucker, largemouth bass, black crappie, and walleye. Bluegill size structure in Kohlmeier lake exhibits characteristics of a stunted population.