Perch

Perch Lake is a 40-acre, lightly developed lake about six miles northeast of Detroit Lakes. Although its watershed is heavily wooded, the lake has no outlet and its water quality is sensitive to any nutrient input. Water quality was sufficient to support stream trout during the 1960s, but water quality degraded by the late 1960s that trout were no longer supported. The fish community has changed dramatically over time for Perch Lake. Throughout its history, Perch Lake has been managed for Rainbow Trout, dominated by bullheads and perch, and in 2007, Largemouth Bass were observed for the first time. A standard fisheries survey was completed in June 2025 to assess the fish populations in Perch Lake. Anglers will find a decent number of Northern Pike in Perch Lake and these fish are average sized compared to other lakes in the Detroit Lakes work area. Historically, the lake has had a very low abundance of pike. The catch rate of Northern Pike in the 2025 survey was the highest ever observed. The average size of the pike captured was 23 inches and the longest was 35 inches. Bluegill numbers were above average for the lake and fish of all sizes were present. About 16% of the Bluegills sampled were over eight inches. The longest Bluegill measured was 9.5 inches. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers in the trap nets, which is often the case with this sampling gear. Black Crappie up to 12 inches were measured and Largemouth Bass up to 15 inches were captured. Other fish species observed were Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Rock Bass, and Yellow Perch.

The natural character of Perch Lake's immediate shoreline has been essentially protected through the years. The few (but increasing) cabins are generally set back far enough from the lake so as not to be highly visible to users of the lake. The lake has a pristine character in every respect except for its water quality. Water quality was apparently not an issue in Perch Lake before the mid 1960s. In fact, rainbow trout were initially stocked by the DNR in 1962. Trout require cool, well oxygenated water to survive. While the lake was not large enough to support hugh numbers of fish, creel survey data indicated that trout were growing and being caught in amounts sufficient to stimulate angler interest. This was apparently an improvement over the previous warmwater fish community that provided few angling opportunities. Documents show that in 1966, Perch Lake's watershed was expanded to include the marsh just north of the lake. This allowed nutrient input to a lake with no outlet, beginning a decline in water quality. By 1972, Perch Lake could no longer sustain rainbow trout and began to winterkill frequently. The lake's fish community subsequently converted to species that are able to survive low dissolved oxygen and high turbidity. Black bullhead and yellow perch were the only two species shown to be thriving in Perch Lake during the 1997 lake survey, despite previous stockings of black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, and northern pike. With mild winters during recent years, there has been a turnabout in the lake's fishery. Bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, and northern pike catch rates were at historic highs in 2007 even though water quality does not appear to have improved significantly. In 1990, Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency (PCA) completed a limited study of the water problem for the Perch Lake Association. Alum treatments, aeration, and reducing the watershed have each been discussed as possible partial solutions to the water quality problem in Perch Lake. It is clear that any solution will be expensive. Few would deny that the lake's aesthetic character could be enhanced by reestablishing good water quality, although some enjoy the present lack of activity on the lake. The fish community has currently reverted to more of a bass/panfish fishery with fewer bullheads and perch. The potential of resuming trout management depends heavily upon the extent of future water quality improvements. Mild winters are not likely to last forever and winterkill will probably be a factor affecting the fish community in coming years.

The natural character of Perch Lake's immediate shoreline has been essentially protected through the years. The few cabins are generally set back far enough from the lake so as not to be highly visible to users of the lake. The lake has a pristine character in every respect except for its water quality.Water quality was apparently not an issue in Perch Lake before the mid 1960s. In fact, rainbow trout were initially stocked by the DNR in 1962. Trout require cool, well oxygenated water to survive. While the lake was not large enough to support hugh numbers of fish, creel survey data indicated that trout were growing and being caught in amounts sufficient to stimulate angler interest. This was apparently an improvement over the previous warmwater fish community that provided few angling opportunities.Documents show that in 1966, Perch Lake's watershed was expanded to include the marsh just north of the lake. This allowed nutrient input to a lake with no outlet, beginning a decline in water quality. By 1972, Perch Lake could no longer sustain rainbow trout and began to winterkill frequently.The lake's fish community has since converted to species that are able to survive low dissolved oxygen and high turbidity. While black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, and northern pike have all been stocked since 1972, only black bullhead and yellow perch have thrived in the lake's current turbid condition. The other species survive in only remnant abundance.In 1990, Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency (PCA) completed a limited study of the water problem for the Perch Lake Association. Alum treatments, aeration, and reducing the watershed have each been discussed as possible partial solutions to the water quality problem in Perch Lake. It is clear that any solution will be expensive. At the urging of riparian owners, PCA is currently proposing to investigate not only the problem, but also potential solutions and sponsors for a "Clean Water Partnership" grant.Few would deny that the lake's aesthetic character could be enhanced by reestablishing good water quality, although some enjoy the present lack of activity on the lake. The fish community, now dominated by black bullhead and yellow perch, would likely revert to more of a bass/panfish fishery with fewer bullheads. The potential of resuming trout management would depend heavily upon the extent of water quality improvements.

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

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

Perch has a maximum depth of 38 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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