Latimer Lake

How big is Latimer Lake?

How deep is Latimer Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Latimer Lake?

What are the closest cities to Latimer Lake?

Are there boat launches on Latimer Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Latimer Lake?

Latimer Lake is a eutrophic or fertile lake in Todd County whose fish community is dominated by Northern Pike, small Black Crappies, and Black Bullheads. Water clarity has been an issue for the lake with heavy algae blooms being common by mid-July and lasting until fall. The lake does support gamefish which provide angling opportunities, species such as Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleye as well as Bluegills.
The lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Walleye with Black Crappie and Bluegills being secondary management species. Walleye fingerlings typically are stocked in odd-numbered years and while numbers appear to be within the normal range when compared to similar type lakes, the catch rate was below the management goal. With the poor water clarity through the summer, night fishing for Walleye is probably not necessary. Anglers who do hook into a Walleye are likely to catch a nice one as the average size caught in the summer survey was about 3 pounds. Northern Pike numbers have increased since the last survey which may have a negative impact on the recruitment of the Walleye fingerlings to the adult population. Despite the higher numbers, some nice sized pike were observed in the survey up to 33 inches. Average size for the pike in the survey was 22 inches or 2.5 pounds although the fish did show slow growth rates. Anglers should continue to harvest small Northern Pike which are more abundant and release those over 24 inches in length to help the fish community balance.
Yellow Perch numbers are within the normal range when compared to similar type lakes but higher numbers could benefit both the Northern Pike and Walleye. Perch can be an important prey species for the two predator species plus higher numbers could help reduce pike predation on Walleye fingerlings. Black Crappie can become abundant in turbid lakes and this is the case in Latimer. Numbers are well above those found in lakes of similar type and small fish dominate the population. Few of the crappie caught in the summer survey were over 9 inches in length due primarily to poor growth rates. A reduction in abundance through fishing or natural means will be required to improve the size structure of the crappie population. Bluegill numbers were also high but the size structure of the population may be more appealing to anglers. Average size of the fish caught was about 6 inches with few over 7 inches in length. Pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish are also present but most of them were under 6 inches in length. Largemouth Bass are present in low numbers and provide limited opportunity for anglers but some large fish are present.
The Black Bullhead population has been historically high acting as an indicator of the poor water quality as they are more abundant in lakes with turbid water. Although the average size was under 9 inches some Black Bullhead up to 12 inches were observed. Some Brown Bullhead were also caught but were much lower in abundance than the Black Bullhead. Some of the Brown Bullhead did reach lengths of almost 13 inches. Neascus or black spot was common on Yellow Perch and Northern Pike, as well as a few Walleye caught in the survey. Neascus is a trematode or parasite that is usually found in the skin of the fish. The life cycle of the parasite also includes snails and fish-eating birds, such as herons and bitterns. Filleting the fish removes most of the parasites and cooking will kill the rest. Humans cannot be infested by neascus. Some of the Yellow Perch also were infested with yellow grub.
Water quality problems in Latimer Lake likely result from a combination of factors which include an agricultural watershed, heavy development along the west shore, and in-lake nutrients. Shoreline buffers along the inlets and the lakeshore would help to filter some of the incoming nutrients from the watershed and lawns.

What is the average air temp for Latimer Lake?

Are there any state parks near Latimer Lake?