McKinney

McKinney Lake is a moderately fertile 60 acre basin located in northwestern Aitkin County near the town of Swatara. The shoreline surrounding the lake has minimal residential development along the south and east/northeast shorelines with the majority of the lake margin encompassed by mixed hardwood forest interspersed with conifers and marshland. Water depths of 15 feet or less constitute three-forths of the lake's area. Despite the abundance of shallow water depths, a fish winterkill of any degree has never been documented in DNR Fisheries records. Currently, the lake is managed primarily for northern pike and bluegill sunfish with largemouth bass and black crappie as the secondary management species.As per the evaluation goals of the current management plan, a population assessment was conducted during the summer of 2001 to evaluate the present status of the fish community and the water quality. Northern pike numbers and average size (1.8 pounds) were normal for this type of lake. Measured northern pike ranged from 12.3 to 34.2 inches in length. Growth at all ages was normal. Bluegill sunfish were below normal in abundance, but their average weight was above normal with lengths extending from 5.7 tp 8.4 inches. Above average growth at ages 1-3 was determined. McKinney Lake's black crappie were normal in abundance and ranged from 6.1 to 10.0 inches in length. Largemouth bass were not captured by selected netting gear during this survey, but past reports from anglers indicated that largemouth have been caught. Future surveys should include spring night electrofishing to more effectively sample largemouth bass abundance and size structure. The sampled fish community also consisted of dog fish (bowfin), brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch. Yellow perch, an important forage species for northern pike, were sampled at below normal abundance levels. When compared to the 1991 catch, sampled perch numbers decreased considerably.Anglers may encounter moderately or quality sized northern pike, bluegill sunfish, and black crappie, but numbers are not abundant. Selective harvest, by keeping the smaller fish for eating and releasing the larger ones, is encouraged. Releasing the larger fish will help maintain or improve the current quality of the fishery and provide future angling opportunities for others who would like to catch a memorable sized fish. Since McKinney Lake is moderately fertile, shoreline property owners and land users within the watershed can maintain or improve the lake's current water quality by protecting the existing abundance of natural shoreline; re-establishing buffer strips of native plants along developed shoreline; updating outdated or failing septic systems; using phosphorus free fertilizer (if needed) on surrounding lawns, gardens, or crop land; utilizing farming practices that reduce run-off; limiting aquatic plant removal or disturbance; and limiting construction of impervious surfaces near the shoreline.

The gill net index for white sucker was above the lake class 29 third quartile. The trap net indices for bowfin, brown bullhead, and black crappie were above their respective lake class 29 third quartiles. The trap net indices for rock bass, pumpkinseed and bluegill were below their respective lake class 29 first quartiles. Northern pike (29 of 29 aged) ranged from one to six years of age. Growth rates for the fourth, fifth and sixth annual increments were slower than normal. Bluegill (26 of 28 aged) ranged from two to four years of age. The growth rate for the first annual increment was slower than normal. The growth rates for the other annual increments were faster than normal. Black crappie (30 of 31 aged) ranged from one to six years of age with strong year classes indicated for 1987 and 1988. Growth rate were normal for all annual increments. Yellow perch (28 of 59 aged) ranged from three to eight years of age with a strong year class indicated for 1988. The growth rate for the first annual increment was slower than normal. Growth rates for all other annual increments were normal.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish in McKinney. 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 McKinney. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

McKinney has a maximum depth of 33 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in McKinney is from 2001. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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