Shumway

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Shumway Lake was conducted on July 28, 2025, by Aitkin area fisheries staff. Sampling sites (N=10) were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations, two of which were sampled via boat due to deep water, soft sediment, or dense emergent vegetation. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 5 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 3 stations. Three stations were not seined due to deep water, soft sediment, or dense emergent vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 7 species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (e.g., Iowa Darter) and zero that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 6/9/2025 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based score of biotic integrity (FIBI). The FIBI score uses fish community data to quantify a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish, Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to expected values for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov web site. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Shumway Lake appears healthy as indicated by a FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Shumway Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. These survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Grand Rapids watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Shumway Lake by preventing the spread of invasive species and minimizing environmental impacts when visiting Savana Portage state park.

A standard survey (2 gill nets, 9 trap nets) was conducted on Shumway (Green) Lake the week of June 5, 2025, to provide an update of the current fish community. Shumway is a 68 acre lake located within Savanna Portage State Park in northeastern Aitkin County and allows electric motors only. The park's main campground is located on the southwest corner of the lake with a nature trail that follows the shoreline. Access to the lake can be reached just north of the campground on the west side of the lake. A majority of the lake's shoreline is forested, which provides anglers with more solitude. Anglers will find opportunities to catch Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. The Northern Pike population is in favorable condition with above average size structure, an improvement from previous surveys. The 2025 gill net catch rate (5.0 per gill net) was within the typical range when compared to lakes with similar habitat and is median for Shumway Lake. Pike ranged from 22.6 to 34.0 inches and averaged 30.0 inches and 6.1 pounds. The Northern Pike size structure was above the typical range of similar lakes. Ninety percent of the gill net catch was greater than 26.0 inches. Anglers are encouraged to release the larger Pike as they generally have beneficial effects on fish communities. Springtime electrofishing was performed for the first time on 5/23/2025 to target Largemouth Bass, since they do not sample well in standard survey gear. A total of 37 Largemouth Bass were captured for a catch rate of 44.4 per hour. Size averaged 12.6 inches and 1.4 pounds, with fish up to 19.0 inches observed. No Largemouth Bass were sampled in gill nets or trap nets, although numbers of juveniles were sampled in seine and backpack electrofishing catches of the IBI sampling (Targeted Survey 07/28/2025). Black Crappie catch rates increased from the previous survey in 2015 with few individuals over 9 inches. Black Crappie catch rates in 2025 (12.5 per gill net, 17.8 per trap net) were above the typical range when compared to similar lakes and were considerably more abundant than in the previous survey in 2015 (1.3 per gill net, 7.0 per trap net). Crappie sampled in gill nets averaged 8.4 inches and ranged from 7.2 to 9.6 inches. Crappie sampled in trap nets averaged 8.3 inches and ranged from 4.4 to 14.1 inches. No fish were observed between 10 and 14 inches. Bluegill numbers increased substantially compared to historical levels with few individuals over 8 inches. Bluegill catch rates jumped to 68.0 per trap net in 2025 and were above the typical range when compared to lakes with similar habitat. Historically, catches have only ranged from 0.0 to 1.5 per trap. Bluegill averaged 6.1 inches, with fish up to 8.7 inches observed. Other species sampled during the standard survey included Pumpkinseed Sunfish and Yellow Perch. Pumpkinseed catches in 2025 (1.6 per trap net) were similar to what was observed in 2015 (2.11 per trap net ). Pumpkinseeds averaged 7.4 inches, with fish up to 8.6 inches observed. Yellow Perch catch rates (5.0 per gillnet) were in the normal range when compared to similar lakes, but higher than we have observed on Shumway since 1987. Perch lengths ranged from 6.0 to 6.7 inches. In addition to the standard survey work, IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling using backpack electrofishing and seining was also conducted in 2025 (Targeted Survey 07/28/2025) to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health. Seven nearshore fish species were sampled during the IBI survey including Black Crappie, Bluegill, Central Mudminnow, Iowa Darter, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch.

Green or Shumway Lake is located within Savanna Portage State Park in northeastern Aitkin County and allows electric motors only. The park's main campground is located on the southwest corner of the lake with a nature trail that follows the shoreline. Access to the lake can be gained just north of the campground on the west side of the lake. A majority of the lake's shoreline is forested, which provides anglers with more solitude. Anglers will find opportunities to catch northern pike, black crappie, pumpkinseed and the occasional largemouth bass or bluegill. The northern pike population is in favorable condition for lakes of this type and has remained relatively stable over theyears. The 2015 catch (8.3/gill net) was higher than the previous survey and is within the normal range for this type of lake. The largest northern pike sampled was 32.8"; they averaged 21.1 inches and 2.1 pounds. Black crappie catch rates increased substantially since the previous survey in 2006. The average crappie is about six inches long with occasional individuals reaching 12 inches. Shumway Lake has a long history of northern pike and walleye stocking dating back to the 1960s; however, no fish of any species have been stocked since 1996. Stocking is used only periodically to augment the current fish population after winterkills.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill in Shumway. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Shumway. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Shumway has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Shumway is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Shumway in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.