Round

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Round Lake (01-0070-00) was conducted on August 19, 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. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 3 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 5 stations. Three stations were not seined due deep water, soft sediment, or dense emergent vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 8 species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (e.g., Rock Bass) and zero that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 6/2/2025 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 what is expected 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 Round Lake is healthy as indicated by a FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Round 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 Round Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Round Lake is a186-acre lake located about three miles northwest of McGregor. A public access is present on the southwest side of the lake. The shoreline is lightly developed and has a firm sand bottom ringed primarily by bulrush, which provides spawning habitat for Yellow Perch, Sunfish, and Black Crappie. Coarse woody habitat is also prevalent along the shoreline, adding to the diversity of habitat. Coldwater habitat is also present in Round Lake, allowing the survival of Tullibee (Cisco). To promote a healthy ecosystem, lakeshore owners are encouraged to protect both of these beneficial nearshore habitats and the deep coldwater region with good watershed stewardship practices. A standard survey was conducted the week of 6/2/2025 to assess the fish assemblage. Walleye occur naturally in Round Lake, likely due to migrating fish from the Sandy River, but abundance has been below average for this lake type in most surveys to date, including 2025. Walleye were captured at a rate of only 0.7 per gill net, the same rate as the past two surveys. Walleye stocking has been attempted over the last 15 years with no success. It appears that Walleye management in Round is more dependent upon management of the Sandy River system than any additions of fry or fingerlings we have stocked. Northern Pike relative abundance has remained low and has remained stable in Round Lake during recent surveys. The gill net catch rate in 2025 was 3.5 per gill net, down from the all-time high of 6.2 per gill net in 2021. Size structure of Northern Pike was unimpressive, with fish averaging 20.3 inches in length. No Northern Pike were captured over 26.0 inches, which seems unusual since these larger fish had been increasing in abundance in every survey since 2000. Anglers can help improve the health of the fish community and Northern Pike size structure by harvesting smaller Pike and releasing the larger ones. Black Crappie relative abundance was up from 2021 based on the gill net catch rate (5.67 per net). Gill net-captured Black Crappie averaged only 5.6 inches, with a maximum observed length of 8.6 inches. Size structure of Black Crappie captured in trap nets was much better, with fish observed up to 12.4 inches and averaging 8.8 inches. This disparity was likely due to the timing of sampling, as mature (larger) Black Crappie were actively spawning in shallow water during the survey. Bluegill catch rates in trap nets increased from 2021 (3.2 per net) to 15.9 per net in 2025. A quality size structure was observed, with Bluegill averaging 8.1 inches in length. Forty-nine percent of Bluegill sampled were over 8.0 inches, with fish up to 9.3 inches observed. To maintain Bluegill size structure in Round Lake, anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest and release larger fish, especially during the spawning period. Cisco (Tullibee) are also present in Round Lake. In the past, Tullibee numbers have been above average in this lake, and peaked at over 18 per net in the gill net in the early 1990's but then plummeted to only 2 per net by 2009. In 2025, catch rates were 7.0 per net, which is near the lake average and above what is typical for this type of lake. This species is particularly sensitive to environmental changes (climate and watershed), which may have played a role in their past decreasing abundance. When available, Tullibees provide an excellent source of forage for game fish, especially Northern Pike and Walleye. 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 08/19/2025) to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health. Eight nearshore fish species were sampled during the IBI survey including Bluegill, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Additionally, two Rusty Crayfish were documented during backpack electrofishing. Observations of Rusty Crayfish will continue to be monitored in future surveys as the invasive species can have harmful impacts on aquatic vegetation and fish habitat.

A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 5, 2024, to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was determined to be 22.9 degrees C. Overall oxy-thermal habitat was poor with only a few TDO points barely over the critical threshold for Tullibee. Comparing profiles collected from 2009-2024, oxy-thermal habitat for Tullibee survival was present each year, with the least favorable conditions occurring in 2012, 2016, and 2024. The 2021 and 2023 profiles had the best conditions of all years surveyed, presumably due to lack of runoff from drought like summer conditions. Aside from 2021 and 2023, which were good conditions, the lake typically provides "fair" habitat compared to other lakes in Aitkin area that are monitored for Tullibee habitat. Because the area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of cold-water habitat.

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

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

Round has a maximum depth of 52 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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