Aitkin

A targeted gill net only survey was conducted on Aitkin Lake during the week of 7/10/2023 to monitor Walleye abundance and to coincide with the ongoing Walleye population estimate and Walleye movement study on connected Big Sandy Lake. Aitkin Lake is just north of Big Sandy Lake, connected via the Aitkin Lake Flowage. This natural channel from Big Sandy (~2 miles long and varying in width) is navigable, but can be quite narrow at times, especially in years of high wild rice production. Water level in Aitkin Lake is controlled at the Corps of Engineers dam on the Sandy River. Open water access to Aitkin Lake is either from Big Sandy Lake or Aitkin Lake Resort, which is the only major development on the lake. In winter, some anglers also access the lake via state lands on the east side of the lake. With the exception of some parcels in the southwest end and north side of the lake, most of the shoreline is in state ownership. Most of Aitkin Lake is shallow, heavily vegetated with wild rice, and is subject to frequent partial winterkills. A 30 foot deep basin at the northeast end of the lake maintains some oxygen in the winter and prevents total winterkills. As such, the surviving fish in the population generally exhibit faster growth rates, which often create a high quality fishery. Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch appear to be the primary species anglers seek on Aitkin Lake and it is managed primarily for Bluegill. There are special regulations for Sunfish (5 daily limit) and Walleye (14-18 inch harvest slot, with one allowed over 26 inches) for the entire Big Sandy system, including Aitkin Lake. During the 2023 survey, Walleye abundance was low with only 6 fish sampled, which is normal for Aitkin Lake. The Walleyes sampled in 2023 had an average size of 17.8 inches and 1.4 pounds, with a maximum length of 25.8 inches. Fifty percent of walleye sampled in 2023 were greater than or equal to 18 inches in length, which is more than what was observed in the 2023 Big Sandy Lake GN sample (3% ? 18 inches). Conversely, no fish under 12 inches were observed in Aitkin Lake, whereas nearly half of the 2023 sample from the Big Sandy survey were less than 12 inches. Very limited spawning habitat and frequent winterkills are restricting Walleye reproduction and survival. It is likely that the Walleye population in Aitkin Lake is dependent upon larger fish emigrating from Big Sandy Lake. Northern Pike were common in the 2023 survey and had comparable catch rates to similar lakes. The Northern Pike sampled in 2023 had an average size of 20 inches and 1.7 pounds, with fish up to 32.3 inches observed in the sample. Yellow Perch were the most abundant species sampled in Aitkin Lake. Yellow Perch abundance was within the normal range of similar lakes. The average size was 7.4 inches, and the largest observed was 10.8 inches long. Black Crappie abundance was low with only 3 fish sampled and was below the normal range when compared to similar lakes. Among the 3 fish sampled, the average length was 7.6 inches, and the maximum length was 8.3 inches. Bluegill abundance is typically estimated using trap net catches instead of gill nets, however the sizes of the few fish that were sampled were decent with an average length of 7.9 inches and included 1 fish greater than 10 inches. Channel Catfish have become more prevalent in Aitkin and Big Sandy Lakes in recent years. This species has likely become present in Aitkin and Big Sandy Lakes due to the significant flooding in 2012, and later in 2022, when the Mississippi River and Big Sandy were also the same elevation. Five Channel Catfish were sampled in the 2023 survey compared to 1 in the 2016 survey. The average length in 2023 was 21 inches, with the largest fish measuring 27.2 inches. White Sucker, Shorthead Redhorse, Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), and a few Largemouth Bass were also sampled during this survey.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted on August 15, 2016 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations 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 14 stations with four sites sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used at five stations, and conditions prevented the use of seines at six sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 14 native species of fish including species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance (Blacknose Shiner and Iowa Darter). Data from this survey is combined with data from a standard game fish survey completed in July 2016 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) that describes the overall health of the lake. The FIBI score for Aitkin Lake based on this survey is above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes and indicates a healthy fish community. Data from this survey will be included as part of a process to assess the condition of surface waters of the Mississippi River - Grand Rapids watershed.

A special assessment targeting near shore fish species was conducted on July 13, 2016. The near shore fish survey data is combined with gill net and trap net data from a July 2016 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake (14 stations) and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Species information was gathered as part of a statewide project to evaluate the fish IBI for Minnesota lakes. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 stations, but three sites were sampled from the boat due to unstable footing. A 50-foot seine was not used, a 15-foot seine was used at 11 stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at 3 sites. Nearshore sampling captured one intolerant fish species, the Iowa darter. Aitkin lake falls within lake class 35 based on the Schupp lake classification used by MnDNR and within Group 5 lakes for evaluating IBI data. IBI scores range from 0 to 100 and the draft impairment threshold for this group of lakes is 24 (CI 9-39) and the potential exceptional quality level is set at 61. The IBI score, using standard gill net and trap net data from the 2016 standard assessment, calculated from this survey was 43 and is above the threshold. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. Aitkin Lake is located in the Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Watershed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass in Aitkin. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Aitkin. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Aitkin has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Aitkin is from 2023.

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