Lake Mary

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What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Mary?

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Are there boat launches on Lake Mary?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Mary?

Mary Lake is a 180 acre lake located four miles southeast of the City of Howard Lake in southern Wright County. It has a maximum depth of 46 feet and a small watershed dominated by open water, row crops, and pasture. Mary Lake has an access at the south end of the lake which is owned by the Winsted Sportsman's Club and open to public use. Mary Lake is managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass and was last surveyed in 2011. Anglers can expect good fishing for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye.

Very little emergent vegetation was found. Submerged vegetation was abundant but not surveyed. In the 2011 survey, the most common submerged species included: coontail, bushy pondweed, flatstem pondweed, and Illinois pondweed. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was six feet in early August and MPCA data show an average of almost ten feet over the last ten years. Dissolved Oxygen was adequate to support fish to 19 feet in early August.

Northern Pike numbers were somewhat low compared to other lakes like Mary and similar to 2011 results, but the average size has increased. Only 12 pike were caught during the survey and ranged in length from 21.7 to 36.3 inches with an average length and weight of 26.2 inches and 4.1 pounds.

Largemouth Bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing on May 24. The catch rate of 77/hr was higher than the Sauk Rapids area daytime average of 43/hour and identical to 2011 (77/hr), but size increased. Lengths ranged from 5.4 to 19.3 inches with an average length of 11.3 inches. Of catchable size fish (>8 inches), 11% were longer than 15 inches.

Walleye fingerlings have been stocked by the lake association for many years. The Walleye catch was similar to 2011 and within the expected range of values for lakes like Mary. Lengths ranged from 10.8 to 27.2 inches with an average length and weight of 16.1 inches and 1.5 pounds. Ages ranged from two to ten years old and growth was fast, reaching 18 inches in four years. Most Walleye were two years old with an average length of 13 inches.

Bluegill numbers were higher than 2011, but still within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 1.4 to 8.0 inches with an average length of 4.7 inches. Black Crappie numbers were similar to 2011 and within the expected range of values. Crappie lengths ranged from 3.3 to 13.0 inches with an average length of 8.2 inches. Summer surveys likely underrepresent panfish abundance and size; targeted surveys near shore around spawning time would provide a better assessment of Bluegill and Black Crappie numbers and size.

Yellow perch numbers were low and declined from 2011. Lengths ranged from 4.9 to 7.6 inches with an average length of 6.1 inches. Other species sampled included: Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Lake Mary?