Page Lake

How big is Page Lake?

How deep is Page Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Page Lake?

What are the closest cities to Page Lake?

Are there boat launches on Page Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Page Lake?

Page Lake is a 375-acre shallow and fertile prairie lake located one mile north of Hancock in southeast Stevens County. Maximum depth of the natural basin is 17.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 12.0 feet. The lake has a small watershed area and thus surface water elevations are strongly influenced by volume of snowmelt and stormwater runoff. Algae blooms and suspended sediments impair water clarity during summer months. Low water clarity limits coverage and diversity of aquatic vegetation within the lake. Due to high fertility of the water fish grow rapidly and Page Lake can provide good fishing opportunities.

A standard fisheries survey was completed in July of 2023 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Page Lake supports a healthy Walleye fishery sustained through supplemental fry stockings. Gill net catch rates have decreased in recent years (5.0 Walleye/gill net), but still exceed management objectives and are well above average for similar lakes in Minnesota. Walleye grow rapidly in this productive basin and typically reach 16.0 inches after three growing seasons. The largest Walleye measured was 24.6 inches. Approximately 97% of Walleyes captured were larger than 15 inches.

Northern Pike were not observed during the 2023 survey. Low numbers of Northern Pike have been observed in past surveys, but limited vegetation combined with low water clarity greatly reduce spawning and foraging success for this species.

Twenty-four Largemouth Bass were captured during the spring electrofishing survey. The modest catch indicated a decrease in abundance from the record high 2017 survey. No bass were captured during the 2001, 2006, and 2011 electrofishing surveys. Size structure of the electrofishing catch described a quality fishery. One hundred percent of the bass were over 12.0 inches and the largest bass observed was 19.4 inches. A lack of small bass indicates poor recruitment and may result in continued declines in future catch rates.

Bluegill catch rates (17.9 fish/trap net) were the highest observed over the past four decades. Age distribution of Bluegill catches extended to age 5, but 74% of captures were young (ages 1 or 2). Consequently, average size was low (4.1 inches). Growth was rapid and did allow some individuals to reach almost 10 inches. Black Crappie catch rates declined significantly from the previous two surveys. Crappie catches were 0.0 and 0.3 fish/net for gill nets and trap nets, respectively. Although low, the 2023 catch rates resemble the historical averages for Black Crappie in Page Lake.

Yellow Perch numbers remained near record highs (119.5/gill net). Multiple Yellow Perch larger than 13.0 inches were observed; however, 93.3% of the fish were less than 8.0 inches in length. Approximately 75% of the Yellow Perch sampled were less than two years old. Fast growth combined with an abundance of young fish in Page Lake may allow for increased angling opportunities in the coming years.

Other species sampled during the 2023 survey included Black Bullhead and Common Carp. The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2029.

Are there any state parks near Page Lake?