Lone

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lone Lake was conducted on 06/25/2024 by Aitkin Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites 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 ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. One station was not seined due to unstable footing. Nearshore sampling captured 23 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Kilifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 06/10/2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biotic integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure 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, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Black Bullhead). 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 website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Lone Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score exceeding the impairment threshold, and equal to the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Lone Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The 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 Lone Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Lone Lake is located in southern Aitkin County approximately 7 miles south of the city of Aitkin. The lake is of relatively low productivity, is 448 acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet and has excellent water clarity, making it desirable for residents and recreational users. Good shoreland management is integral to maintaining good water clarity and quality, as well as maintaining healthy fish populations.The aquatic plant community is an important component found in the shoreland areas. Emergent plants and coarse woody habitat are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and provide essential spawning habitat for bass, panfish and Yellow Perch. Submergent plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species. Lone Lake has a long history of Walleye fingerling stocking, dating back to 1949. The frequency has varied over the years with fingerlings being the main life stage used. Though the lake is known to produce some quality-sized Walleyes, fingerling stocking was seldom able to get the abundace to its management goal of 3.0 to 5.0 per gill net. Beginning in 2017, Walleye fry stocking was attempted in order to boost those numbers. Unfortunately it has since been found inadequate to maintain the abundance of Walleye in the lake and so Walleye fingerling stocking will resume. Walleye gill net catches during previous surveys have averaged 1.9 per gill net and ranged from 0.3 to 4.4 per gill net. The Walleye catch was low in 2024 (0.8 per gill net) and was below the management goal. Average length of gill net-caught fish was 18.8 inches, with fish up to 20.9 inches in the sample. In addition to the standard survey, a targeted panfish survey in spring 2024 captured a 30.4 inch Walleye, illustrating the capability of Lone Lake to produce larger fish. Walleye anglers will likely find their best success during low light periods or at night due to the high water clarity. Northern Pike continue to be abundant (13.2 per gill net) and were above the typical range when compared to lakes with similar habitat. The most recent gill net catch was within the range of past catches (3.7 to 24.7 per gill net) and similar to the long-term average (12.2 per gill net). Average length and weight was 19.0 inches and 1.5 pounds. It appeared that the Northern Pike size structure has declined since the previous survey with only 8 percent of fish larger than 24.0 inches, compared to 28 percent in 2019. The Bluegill catch rate in the standard survey (14.1 per trap net) was similar to previous standard survey catches and in the expected range for similar lakes. Bluegill size structure was good in 2024, with fish up to 9.0 inches observed. Forty-six percent of the trap net catch was at least 7.0 inches and exceeded the management goal of 25 percent. In addition to the 2024 standard survey, a spring assessment was conducted for a better representation of the panfish population. The spring assessment had a similar but slighlty lower Bluegill catch rate (10.1 per trap net) compared to the standard survey, however, 65 percent of the catch was 7 inches or greater, with Bluegill as large as 8.9 inches observed. Hybrid Sunfish were also present in decent numbers and typically grow larger than Bluegill, which can add a quality component to the panfish population in Lone Lake. In 2024, Hybrid Sunfish as large as 9.5 inches were sampled. Black Crappie catch rates in 2024 (0.6 per gill net, 0.9 per trap net) were in the typical range when compared to previous assessments and lakes with similar habitat. Although Black Crappie are not overly abundant, size structure is good. Seventy-seven percent of Black Crappie sampled during the standard survey and 88 percent of Black Crappie sampled during the spring assessment measured at least 9.0 inches, both exceeding the management goal of 25 percent. Black Crappie in the 2024 gill net catch averaged 11.7 inches and ranged from 8.0 to 14.0 inches. Likewise, the spring panfish assessment sampled quality-sized Black Crappie that averaged 11.3 inches and ranged from 7.7 to 14.2 inches. Growth was good compared to other area lakes, with fish reaching 8.8 inches at age 4. Yellow Perch are an important forage fish for Walleye and Northern Pike in Lone Lake and are found in average densities for this lake type. The 2024 catch rate (1.7 per gill net) was similar to the previous assessment in 2019 (1.8 per gill net) and slightly below the 20 year average (2.3 per gillnet). Yellow Perch averaged 7.9 inches and ranged from 5.6 to 10.1 inches. Largemouth Bass catch rates in 2024 (2.1 per gill net) increased slightly from 2019 (1.7 per gill net) and were above the normal range for lakes with similar habitat. Bass captured in gill nets averaged 11.3 inches and ranged from 5.0 to 16.7 inches. Growth was relatively slow (10.5 inches at age 4), but more than half (53%) of all Largemouth Bass sampled in gill nets measured at least 12", exceeding the management goal. Spring night time electrofishing was also performed in 2024 with 230 Largemouth Bass sampled for a catch rate of 115.0 per hour, indicating a fairly high abundance for this area and an increase from 2019 (84.0 per hour). From the 2024 electrofishing sample, 47 percent were larger than 12.0 inches, with a maximum length of 19.5 inches. Other species sampled during the standard survey included: Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rockbass, White sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. In addition to the standard survey work, IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling using backpack electrofishing and seining was also conducted in 2024, to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health. Seventeen nearshore fish species were sampled during the IBI survey including Blackchin Shiner, Banded Killifish, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Jonny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Mimic Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Lone Lake is located in southern Aitkin County approximately 7 miles south of the city of Aitkin. The lake is 448 acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet and excellent water clarity making it desirable for residents and recreational users. The aquatic plant community is integral to maintaining good water clarity and quality as well as maintaining healthy fish populations. Emergent plants, as well as coarse woody habitat, are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and to provide essential spawning habitat for bass, panfish and Yellow Perch. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species. Lone Lake has a long history of Walleye fingerling stocking, dating back to 1949. The frequency has varied over the years with fingerlings being the main life stage used. Though the lake is known to produce some nice Walleyes, fingerling stocking was seldom able to get the population to its management goal of 3-5/gill net. Therefore, an experimental Walleye fry stocking plan was developed beginning in 2017. Fall electrofishing was conducted in 2017 to document fry survival and only 1 YOY Walleye was caught in an hour of effort. Walleye gill net catches during the previous nettings have ranged from 0.3 to 4.4/gill net with mean and median values of 1.9 and 1.7/gill net, respectively. The Walleye catch remained low in 2019 at 1.33/gill net, and is below the management goal of 3-5/gill net. Average length and weight were 15.3" and 1.2 lbs. Walleye anglers will likely find their best success during low light periods or even at night due to the high water clarity. Northern Pike continue to be abundant at 9.9/gill net. Past catches have ranged from 3.7 to 24.7/gill net with an average of 12.0/gill net. Average length and weight were 20.9" and 2.5 lbs with 28% measuring at least 24". Large Northern Pike are known to prey upon small abundant Northern Pike in some systems and can have positive impacts on the size structure of the population and the fish community. The size structure has shown nice improvements over the last two surveys, therefore, catch and release of larger pike is strongly encouraged. The 2019 Bluegill catch rate of 17.8/trap net is normal for the lake class with past catches ranging from 3.2 to 43.9/trap net. The growth rate of Bluegill is slower than normal when compared to that of other lakes in the county, however, some fish are able to grow to quality sizes. In 2019, 34% of Bluegill sampled were longer than 7". Hybrid Sunfish are also present in decent numbers and typically grow larger than Bluegill which can add a quality component to the panfish in the lake. Black Crappie catch rates were as high as we have observed for Lone Lake, with a 2019 catch rate of 2.0/gill net. This doesn't indicate an overly abundant population but the size structure is good. Growth was good compared to other area lakes, with fish reaching 8.5" at age 4. In 2019, the average size of Black Crappie caught was 10.3", and fish approaching 13" were observed. Yellow Perch are an important forage fish for Walleye and Northern Pike in Lone Lake, and are found in average densities for this lake class. The 2019 Yellow Perch catch rate of 1.8/gill net is typical of past catches, which average 2.9/gill net. Largemouth Bass gill net catch rates increased slightly to 1.7/gill net in 2019 and are in the normal range for similar lake types. Growth was relatively slow (10.2" at age 4), but more than half (53%) of all Largemouth Bass sampled in gill nets measured at least 12", exceeding the management goal for the lake. Spring night time electrofishing was also done in 2019 and 147 were caught for a catch rate of 84/hr, indicating a fairly high abundance for this area. From the electrofishing sample 56 percent were larger than 12 inches with a maximum length of 16.7 inches.

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

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

Lone has a maximum depth of 60 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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