Little Toad

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Toad Lake, was conducted on August 4th-5th, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) 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 all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and site conditions (e.g., dense aquatic vegetation) prevented the use of a seine at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA 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 one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bowfin comprised a majority by biomass. The trap net catch was light overall. 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, 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. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Ottertail River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Little Toad Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Toad Lake was conducted on June 14-15, 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 all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Rock Bass). The nearshore data was combined with gill net and trap 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, 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 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.

Little Toad Lake is a 405-acre, moderately developed lake located in south central Becker County. It is surrounded by a mixture of wetlands, forest, and agricultural land. Little Toad Lake has two intermittent inlets which enter from the north and west shores. Little Toad Lake is considered the headwaters of the Toad River, a designated trout stream, and is the only outlet. Special regulations were implemented for Northern Pike and Bluegill in 2008. The Northern Pike regulation resulted in a 24-to-36-inch protected slot, a possession limit of three, and one allowed over 36 inches. The sunfish regulation is a possession limit of ten sunfish. A standard fisheries survey was completed in June 2023 to assess the fish populations of Little Toad Lake. Anglers will find a moderate number of Northern Pike in Little Toad Lake, however, most of these fish will be on the small side. The average size of the pike captured was 21.5 inches, but one 33-inch fish was measured. Walleye numbers are well below average for the lake, but size is good. About 89% of the Walleye captured in 2023 were over 15 inches and 44% were over 20 inches. Anglers can expect to find high numbers of small Bluegills, but fish over eight inches are present. About six percent of the Bluegills sampled in 2023 were over eight inches and Bluegills up to 9.5 inches were sampled. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers in the nets, which is often the case with this sampling gear. Black Crappie up to 11 inches were measured and up to 14.5 inches for Largemouth Bass. Other fish species observed were Bowfin, Common Carp, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

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

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

Little Toad has a maximum depth of 65 feet and a mean depth of 23.6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Toad is from 2025.

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