Toad

Toad (also referred to as Big Toad) Lake is a 1,715-acre lake located in central Becker County, 21 miles east of the city of Detroit Lakes. The shoreline of the lake is moderately developed, primarily along its northern and southwestern shores. The Toad Lake Aquatic Management Area (AMA) protects 115.1 acres of land adjacent to the lake. Toad Lake's robust fishery provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, among other species. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Toad Lake in August 2021. Walleye catch rates have remained stable in Toad Lake since initial surveying in 1959, averaging about 14 Walleye per net. During the 2021 survey about 10 Walleye were caught per net on average. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 11.5 to 27.5 inches, averaging 17 inches long. Aging of fish found that a four year old Walleye in Toad Lake measured 17.2 inches, revealing fast growth relative to statewide indices. The abundance of Northern Pike in gill nets declined slightly from the 2016 survey (10.2 per net) to almost seven pike per net in 2021. Sampled Northern Pike ranged in length from 15.2 to 33.3 inches, averaging 21.5 inches long. Pike between 20 and 24 inches in length were most abundant, accounting for 69.6% of total pike catch. The 2021 average catch rate of Bluegill was about 15 fish per trap net, equivalent to the lake's historical average. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from 3.3 to 8.7 inches, averaging 5.7 inches long. Bluegill exhibit relatively slow growth in Toad Lake, reaching an average length of 4.1 inches by age four. Black Crappie catch rates have remained low in Toad Lake since initial surveying in 1959, however this species is notoriously hard to sample. The 2021 mean catch rate was one crappie per trap net. Sampled Black Crappie ranged in length from 9.7 to 12.3 inches, averaging 11.1 inches long. About one Largemouth Bass was caught per trap net. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 5.4 to 16.5 inches, averaging 7.0 inches long. Yellow Perch catch rates remain low in Toad Lake. On average, about one perch was caught per net in 2021. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5 to 11.2 inches, averaging 7.4 inches long. Additional species sampled in the 2021 survey included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Hybrid sunfish, and White Sucker. Yellow Bullhead dominated bullhead catch (3.3 bullhead per trap net) in the 2021 survey. Shoreline owners can help to maintain or improve water quality and fish habitat in Toad Lake by maintaining shoreline buffer zones and leaving stands of native aquatic vegetation intact. Anglers and recreationalists can protect Toad Lake's fishery by doing their best to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species by adhering to the clean, drain, dry process after leaving a lake.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Toad Lake was conducted beginning on June 26, 2017 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 14 sampling stations, but four stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 11 stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2016 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. Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, 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. Data from this survey indicates Toad Lake is in moderate health but vulnerable to future impairment as indicated by an FIBI score equal to the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Otter Tail River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A survey of near shore fish species was conducted by Detroit Lakes Area Fisheries Staff on Toad Lake (03010700) on August 8, 2016. Toad Lake is 1,660 acres, located 17 miles east of Detroit Lakes, MN. During this survey, 18 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with either a 50-foot or a 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. During this survey, seven sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine, and four were was sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at four sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at 18 sites. Nearshore sampling captured 23 species of fish including six species intolerant of disturbance and/or poor water quality (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, and Rocks Bass). Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Bowfin, Brook Stickleback, Central Mudminnow, Common Shiner, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Spottail Shiner, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. The near shore fish survey data is combined with gill net and trap net data from an August, 2016 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Toad Lake is located in the Ottertail River Watershed.

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

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

Toad has a maximum depth of 29 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Toad is from 2021.

Yes — Toad has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.