George

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in George Lake was conducted on July 16 - 17, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program 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 all ten stations. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including 5 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured nine species of fish, including 2 species that are tolerant of disturbance (Common Carp and Green Sunfish). Bluegill (49%) and Pumpkinseed (13%) comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill (21%), Yellow Bullhead (15%), and Northern Pike (15%) comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (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, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Common Carp and Green Sunfish). 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. Fisheries IBI program staff conducted a survey of lakeshore habitat on George Lake on July 26th, 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The survey consisted of 27 sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. The average lakewide habitat score indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is poor (53.1/100). The average developed site had very poor habitat quality, while undeveloped sites generally had moderate habitat quality. These results are very similar to a survey completed in 2013. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in George Lake may be adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score near the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that George Lake is fully supporting aquatic life, but vulnerable to impairment if stressors are not mitigated. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Rum River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in George Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Lake George is a round and shallow basin (79% littoral) that lies in the Anoka sand plain. The lake is relatively clear and supports a diverse aquatic plant community which provides ample habitat for the resident fish population. Above average water quality makes this a popular recreation lake. Basin characteristics place Lake George in lake class 29. Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass are the primary management species in the lake. The DNR has attempted to establish a Walleye population in the past with no success and currently no stocking is conducted. The survey utilized gill net and traps nets deployed in June primarily to inform an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) survey done in conjunction with this effort. Northern Pike were sampled by gill nets at a rate of 18.6 fish per net. While this rate greatly exceeds the 75th percentile for the lake class, it is typical relative to historical surveys. Fish size was smaller than average for the lake class but typical for the lake with a mean length of 19.5 inches and a range of 13.3 to 28.2 inches. Black Crappie were sampled by trap nets at a rate of 0.8 fish per net. This is well below average for the lake class but typical relative to historical surveys. Fish size exceeded the 75th percentile for the lake class with a mean length of 9.7 inches and a range of 8 to 10.9 inches. Even larger fish were sampled by gill nets with the majority of fish over 10 inches long, the longest of which measured 14.6 inches. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 5.7 fish per trap net. This is quite low relative to both the lake and the lake class. Size was typical with fish ranging from 2.2 to 7.9 inches and averaging 5.7 inches in length. Other species sample included: Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

Located 2 miles southeast of Saint Francis, MN, George Lake is a 488-acre lake with a maximum depth of 32 feet. A survey targeting near shore fish species was conducted by IBI Program Staff on George Lake on 15 - 16 July 2015 to assess populations of non-game species and small sport fish. Ten 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including many species intolerant of disturbance such as Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Silverside, Green Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Spotfin Shiner, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches were used with gillnet and trapnet catch data from a survey on 16 - 19 June 2014, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of the health of George Lake. The fish IBI score for George Lake was just below the impairment threshold developed for similar lakes, but given other recent nearshore surveys that scored at or just above the threshold, insufficient information is available to determine impairment status. A preliminary review of stressors found watershed (33% disturbed land cover) and riparian (2013 Score the Shore Survey score: 50/100; approximately 18 docks per kilometer of shoreline) characteristics near or surpassing levels thought to impact the fish community. Based on this information we also recommend that George Lake be recognized as "Vulnerable" to future impairment with additional watershed and/or shoreline disturbance. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. George Lake is located in the Rum River Watershed.

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

George has a maximum depth of 32 feet and a mean depth of 5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — George has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.