Many Point

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Many Point Lake, which lies within the boundaries of the White Earth Reservation, was conducted on August 2-7, 2023, 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 eighteen sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due soft sediments and dense vegetation. A 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample seven stations. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-two species of fish including nine species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Muskellunge, and 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 July 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and 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 website.

Many Point Lake, at 1,701 acres, is in northeast Becker County approximately nine miles northwest of Ponsford. It lies within the boundaries of the White Earth Indian Reservation, and more than half of the shoreline is owned by the Boy Scouts of America. The Otter Tail River enters along the northwest shore and exits the southeast corner where it flows to Round Lake. Many Point Lake contains a diverse fish community in part due to its good water quality and diverse physical habitat. Many Point is one of the few lakes in the Detroit Lakes area that receives regular Muskellunge stocking and supports transient Lake Sturgeon. A standard survey was completed in Many Point Lake on 07/10/2023 to assess the fish community. Walleye abundance has been steadily increasing over the past three surveys. In 2023, the Walleye catch rate was nine fish per gill net, surpassing the historical average of five fish per net. Walleyes averaged 16 inches in length and ranged from 7 to 28 inches. Most of the Walleye population resides in what is commonly referred to as the catchable size. Although trophy-sized Walleyes have been routinely captured in Many Point Lake, 33% of the Walleyes measured in 2023 were between 14 and 18 inches. Catch rates for Northern Pike have been steadily falling since 2013, when gill nets caught a record number 14 fish per gill net. The 2023 catch rate was six pike per gill net, with fish ranging in size from 14 to 35 inches. Forty percent of the pike measured were longer than 24 inches and 18% of the pike measured were longer than 28 inches. The abundance of Bluegill has historically fluctuated from low to moderate levels since surveys began in Many Point Lake. The 2023 catch rate was 56 fish per net, which was the highest value observed since 1978. Very few, if any, Bluegills longer than eight inches have been caught in trap nets during past surveys, and 2023 was no exception. Bluegill caught in trap nets averaged five inches in length and the longest fish captured measured only eight inches. Gill nets did capture a Bluegill that was 8.5 inches long, but it was found to be 17 years old. Muskellunge have been stocked into Many Point Lake since 2006. The 2023 survey was not geared to adequately assess the musky population, but two fish were captured that measured 17 and 29 inches long. A more targeted musky survey occurred in 2018, when a total of 113 fish were captured that ranged in size from 35 to 50 inches long. The 2018 data was used to estimate the number of musky in Many Point Lake and calculations resulted in an estimate of 338 fish or 0.2 fish per surface acre. A coordinated effort among state, federal, and tribal natural resource agencies has resulted in Lake Sturgeon being reintroduced into the Red River Basin. One of the stocking locations was Round Lake, which is downstream of Many Point Lake. It appears these sturgeon are travelling upstream, over the Many Point Dam that was modified to allow fish passage in 2008. Although no Lake Sturgeon were caught in the 2023 survey, previous surveys have encountered fish up to 40 inches long. Yellow Perch abundance has rebounded substantially in the last couple of surveys, and 2023 was the highest catch rate on record at 37 fish per gill net. The average catch rate for Many Point Lake is 29 perch per gill net. Yellow Perch averaged seven inches in length and ranged from five to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie abundance appeared to be similar to past surveys. The average length of Largemouth Bass caught in trap nets was nine inches, and Black Crappie caught in trap nets averaged 10 inches long. Cisco occur at moderately low levels, but their average size is usually small. Lake Whitefish have also been sampled occasionally in past surveys, but none have been found recently. Other fish species captured during the 2023 survey included Bowfin, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Many Point Lake, at 1,701 acres, is located in northeast Becker County approximately nine miles northwest of Ponsford. It lies within the boundaries of the White Earth Indian Reservation, and more than half of the shoreline is owned by the Boy Scouts of America. The Otter Tail River enters along the northwest shore and exits the southeast corner where it flows to Round Lake. Many Point Lake contains a diverse fish community in part due to its good water quality and diverse physical habitat. Many Point is one of the few lakes in the Detroit Lakes area that receives regular Muskellunge stocking and also supports transient Lake Sturgeon. The 2018 Walleye catch rate was 7.1 fish per gill net, surpassing the historical average 5.7 fish per net. Walleye abundance has been stable over the past three surveys. Sampled Walleyes averaged 17.0 inches in length, and ranged from 10.7 to 28.3 inches, which was similar to the previous survey in 2013. The majority of the Walleye population resides in what is commonly referred to as the catchable size. Although trophy-sized Walleyes have been routinely sampled in Many Point Lake, 46% of the Walleyes were between 14.0 and 17.9 inches. Nine year classes were sampled with the oldest fish being 11 years old. Northern Pike were relatively few in number before the mid 1980's, but increased dramatically by the 1988 survey and have since remained higher than the lake's average. The 2018 catch rate was 9.5 fish per gill net, falling below 10.0 fish per net for the first time in twenty years. Lengths of sampled Northern Pike ranged from 7.0 to 32.8 inches, and averaged 22.1 inches. Twenty-five percent of the pike measured were longer than 24 inches, but fish over 28 inches were rare, despite Many Point Lake having the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that are necessary to produce large Northern Pike. Yellow Perch abundance rebounded substantially in 2018, and was the highest catch rate since 1983. Yellow Perch averaged 7.0 inches in length and ranged from 4.6 to 11.7 inches. The abundance of Bluegill has historically fluctuated from low to moderate levels since surveys began in Many Point Lake. The 2018 catch rate was 44.3 fish per net, which was near some of the higher values observed. Bluegill grew slow, only reaching 3.9 inches by age four. Bluegills size was relatively small, averaging 5.7 inches in length. Very few, if any, Bluegills longer than 8.0 inches have been caught in trap nets during past surveys, and 2018 was no exception. The longest Bluegill captured was 7.9 inches. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie abundance appeared to be similar to past surveys. The mean length of trap net sampled Largemouth Bass was 9.9 inches, and 8.0 inches for Black Crappie. In an effort to provide additional Muskellunge fishing opportunities in the Detroit Lakes Management Area, Many Point Lake was selected from several lakes for Muskellunge management in 2005. Many Point Lake showed the best potential, was promoted by tribal personnel and generally was supported and accepted by riparian owners and local anglers. Muskellunge were introduced into Many Point Lake in 2006. Stocking occurred annually through 2012, but has occurred every other year since. A single, immature Muskellunge was captured in a gill net in 2018. However, a targeted Muskellunge survey also occurred shortly after ice out in 2018. This survey targeted spawning adults and captured 113 unique fish. These fish ranged from 35.2 to 49.7 inches in length and averaged 41.4 inches. The 2018 Muskellunge survey was the second consecutive such survey, the combination of which was used to calculate an estimate of the number of adult Muskellunge in Many Point Lake in 2017. This estimate was 338 fish, or a density of 0.23 fish per surface acre. This density estimate is slightly higher than what is observed in other muskie-managed waters in Minnesota. A coordinated effort among state, federal, and tribal natural resource agencies has resulted in Lake Sturgeon being reintroduced into the Red River Basin. One of the stocking locations is Round Lake, which is downstream of Many Point Lake. It appears these sturgeon are travelling upstream, over the Many Point Dam that was modified to allow fish passage in 2008. Three Lake Sturgeon were captured during spring muskie surveys in 2017 and 2018, and one Lake Sturgeon was caught in a gill net during the summer 2018 survey. The sturgeon caught in the gill net was just shy of 40 inches long. Cisco occur at moderately low levels, but their average size is usually small. Lake Whitefish have also been sampled occasionally in past surveys, but none have been found recently. Other fish species sampled include Bowfin, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Many Point has a maximum depth of 92 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Many Point is from 2023.

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