


Granite Lake is a 353 acre lake located south of the City of Annandale in Wright County. The lake has a maximum depth of 34 feet and is primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike. The watershed is small and primarily composed of agriculture, open water, and forest. A public access is located on the southwest side of the lake off County Road 5. The last survey was conducted in 2008. Anglers can expect good fishing for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleye.
Emergent vegetation was mainly located in the south bay and on the hump in the center of the north end. The only species found were cattails, white waterlily, and yellow waterlily. Submerged plants were not surveyed, but Eurasian watermilfoil was discovered in 2010. Water clarity was moderate: Secchi depth was 4.5 feet in mid August and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Secchi depths averaged 5.0 feet for July and August, 2014.
Walleye have been stocked regularly since 1970 and Granite Lake has been part of a statewide stocking study since 2000. Walleye fingerlings, frylings, and fry were stocked in different years and the results assessed by frequent gill netting. Catch rates were within the expected range of values for lakes similar to Granite from 2004 to 2008 and above the expected range in 2012 and 2014. Lengths in 2014 ranged from 10.0 to 28.0 inches, with an average length and weight of 19.0 inches and 2.4 pounds. Results from the stocking study, such as the best Walleye age to stock, are not yet available.
The Northern Pike catch in 2014 was more than double the catch in 2008 and above the expected range of values for similar lakes. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 9.3 to 35.0 inches and average length and weight were 25.2 inches and 3.7 pounds. Fifty eight percent of Northern Pike were longer than 24 inches.
Largemouth Bass were surveyed by daytime boat electrofishing on May 20, 2014. The catch rate (46/hr) was above the average Montrose Area daytime catch (38/hr), but below the 2008 nighttime catch (77/hr). Clear water in May and bright sun may have limited the catch; nighttime results would likely have been higher. Lengths ranged from 6.3 to 19.5 inches with an average length of 13.9 inches. Among catchable size fish (>8 inches), 48% were longer than 15 inches.
Black Crappie catches were within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Past catches have varied widely and crappies are known for up and down population cycles. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 4.5 to 11.2 inches with an average length of 7.2 inches. The Bluegill catch was lower than in 2008, but within the expected range of values. Past catches have differed greatly, similar to Black Crappies. Lengths ranged from 3.5 inches to 7.9 inches with an average length of 5.3 inches.
Yellow Perch catch rates declined since 2008 and were the lowest on record. Yellow Perch catches were high in the early 1980s, but have been declining over time, similar to the statewide trend Lengths ranged from 5.9 to 6.4 inches with an average length of 6.2 inches. Other species sampled included: Bluntnose Minnow, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Central Mudminnow, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, and Yellow Bullhead.
- Eurasian Watermilfoil

Recreational activities such as recreational boating, angling, waterfowl hunting, and diving may spread aquatic invasive species. Some aquatic invasive species can attach to boats, while others can become tangled on propellers, anchor lines, or boat trailers. Many species can survive in bilge water, ballast tanks, and motors or may hide in dirt or sand that clings to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. Fortunately, completing simple steps can prevent the transport of aquatic invasive species.
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