Nord

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Nord Lake was conducted on June 24, 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 10 sampling stations, 3 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 one station. Four stations were not seined due to deep water, soft sediment, or dense emergent vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (e.g., Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (e.g., Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an 8/19/2024 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 any 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 Nord 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 Nord 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-Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Nord Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Nord Lake is a medium-sized lake located in southwestern Aitkin County, a little over three miles southeast of Aitkin. There is a state-owned public access with a concrete log ramp located on the southeast end of the lake off of Aitkin County Road 12 (Deer Street). The lake is surrounded by forest and bog and is classified as a Northern Pike and Bluegill lake. A Walleye fishery is maintained through annual fall fingerling stocking. The lake is known by local anglers for producing abundant but small Northern Pike and Bluegills. The lake also has a reputation for providing consistent action for quality-sized Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike abundance in 2024 (6.0 per gill net) was down from the prior assessment in 2019 (10.0 per gill net) and the second lowest Northern Pike catch observed among historical assessments. The most recent Northern Pike gill net catch was in the typical abundance range when compared to similar lakes. The average length of Pike was 18.5 inches with 20 percent longer than 24.0 inches. This was an improvement from 2019, when Pike averaged 16.5 inches with 8 percent longer than 24.0 inches. Pike as large as 33.4 inches were also sampled, indicating that they can grow to desirable sizes. Largemouth Bass catch rates in 2024 (3.6 per gill net) were above the normal range for this type of lake. Largemouth Bass sampled in gill nets averaged 12.1 inches and 1.0 pound, while Bass sampled in trap nets averaged 13.7 inches and 1.8 pounds. Bass as large as 20.1 inches were sampled in this survey. Nord Lake is stocked with Walleye fingerlings on an annual basis. The gill net catch rate in 2024 (1.6 per net) was shy of the management goal (2.0 per net) for the third consecutive survey, but was still in the typical range when compared to lakes with similar habitat as well as within the range for past surveys on Nord Lake. Although Nord Lake is not a typical destination for Walleye anglers, size structure of the Walleye population is desirable, with an average size of 19.4 inches. Fifty percent of Walleye sampled in 2024 were greater than 20 inches. Further, Walleye as long as 28 inches were observed during the spring assessment, offering some quality sizes to anglers that do catch Walleye. The gill net catch sampled 8 year classes of Walleye ranging from 2 to 15 years old, indicating that stocked fish are surviving. Bluegill in Nord Lake are generally on the small side and grow slowly. In previous surveys Bluegill abundance had leveled off after showing an increasing trend from 1995 to 2009 however, Bluegill catches in 2024 (9.1 per trap net) were the lowest on record and were below the typical range when compared to similar lakes. Bluegill averaged 6.6 inches in the standard survey trap nets, with fish up to 8.6 inches observed. The significant decline in Bluegill catch rates is likely the result of a difference in survey timing by about 2 months. Additional trap nets (special trap nets) were fished in late May 2024 to sample panfish. Those special trap nets had a higher catch rate (46.2 per trap net), which was similar to the recent surveys on Nord Lake in the normal June time period. Bluegill in those spring trap nets ranged from 3.4 to 8.8 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. Hybrid sunfish, which grow slightly faster than Bluegills, can sometimes be found in reasonable numbers and sizes and offer panfish anglers opportunities for some larger fish. Hybrid Sunfish as large as 9.5 inches were observed during the May netting. Black Crappie abundance in 2024 (3.0 per gill net) was up a bit from 2019 (2.1 per gill net) and was in the typical range when compared to similar lakes and previous surveys. The 2024 spring assessment had higher catch rates (4.6 per trap net) than the standard survey with a few quality-sized fish observed. Black Crappie sampled in the standard survey ranged from 4.3 to 12.2 inches and averaged 9.3 inches, while the spring assessment sampled Black Crappie that ranged from 7.8 to 14.9 inches and averaged 9.5 inches. The 2024 Yellow Bullhead catch rate (43.1 per gill net) was the second highest catch on record and above the typical range when compared to similar lakes. Previous catches have averaged 17.0 per gill net and have ranged from 2.9 to 76.0 per gill net. Brown Bullhead were also observed in the current survey, but in much lower densities.

Nord Lake is a medium sized lake located in southwestern Aitkin County, a little over three miles southeast of Aitkin. There is a state owned public access with a concrete log ramp located on the southeast end of the lake off Aitkin County Road 12 (Deer Street). The lake is surrounded by forest and bog and is classified as a Northern Pike and Bluegill lake. A Walleye fishery is maintained through fall fingerling stocking every year. The lake is known by local anglers for producing abundant but small Northern Pike and Bluegills. The lake also has a reputation for providing consistent action for good sized Largemouth Bass. Results from the 2019 assessment indicate Northern Pike abundance remains high, which is not unusual and is similar to previous surveys. Ideally, this lake would have a lower total abundance of Northern Pike with a greater number of fish longer than 24". Pike abundance is probably limiting Walleye fingerling survival to some degree. The average length of pike was just 16.5" with a mere 8 percent being longer than 24". Pike as large as 36.4" were sampled indicating that they can grow to desirable sizes. Anglers are encouraged to release pike greater than 24" to increase angler catch rates of larger pike and also help maintain a balanced fish community, especially since larger northern pike have been shown to consume smaller pike in this lake. Largemouth Bass gill net catch rates were in the normal range for this type of lake. In addition to the regular survey, spring night time electrofishing was also done. Bass were abundant with a catch rate approaching 80/hr, which is a high rate for this area and they seem to have increased in abundance overtime. Sizes ranged from 7.3 to 18.3" and averaged about 13" and 1.3 pounds. Nord Lake is stocked with Walleye fingerlings on an annual basis. The catch rate of 1.8 Walleye per gill net was a slight increase from the previous survey and is within the normal range for similar lakes. Although Nord Lake is not a typical destination for Walleye anglers, and likely has relatively low angling catch rates, the size structure of the Walleye population is desirable with an average size of 17" and 25% of Walleye sampled greater than 20". Bluegill catches were comparable to the previous survey 5 years ago and abundance seems to have leveled off after showing an increasing trend from 1995-2009. Abundance of Bluegill is within the normal range for similar lake types. Sunfish in Nord Lake are generally on the small side and grow slowly, but some Bluegills larger than 8" were observed in 2019. Hybrid sunfish, which grow a little faster than Bluegills, can sometimes be found in reasonable numbers and sizes as well, but did show a decrease in abundance this survey. Black Crappie abundance decreased slightly each survey since 2000, but is still within the normal range for this type of lake. Black Crappies ranged from 4.3 to 10.2" with an average of 8.0".

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

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

Nord has a maximum depth of 29 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Nord is from 2024.

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