Meadow

Meadow Lake is 71-acres and located four miles south of Detroit Lakes in Becker County. It has a maximum depth of 72 feet. It is capable of sustaining both warm water and cold water fish species. The lake was managed as a two-story fishery from 1987 through 2009 with stocked Brown and Rainbow Trout, but poor angler success and high abundance of Northern Pike led to discontinuation of this strategy. Meadow Lake is now only stocked biennially with Walleye fry. A standard fisheries survey was completed in July 2024 to assess the fish populations of Meadow Lake. Anglers will find an abundant number of Northern Pike in Meadow Lake, however, most of these fish will be on the small side. The average size of the pike captured was 19 inches, but one 30-inch fish was measured. Bluegill numbers were down for the lake and very few fish over eight inches were captured. No Walleye were sampled during this survey. 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 long were measured and Largemouth Bass up to 17.1 inches were captured. Four large Tullibee were captured in the gill nets with the longest being 19.1 inches. Other fish species sampled were Black and Yellow Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch.

Although Meadow Lake has the capability of supporting both cold water and warm water fish species, it is no longer managed as a two-story fishery. Both Rainbow and Brown Trout were stocked regularly from 1987 through 2009 with very limited success. Meadow Lake functions naturally as a pike/bass/panfish lake. Biennial Walleye fry stocking was initiated in 2010 in attempt to provide a modest fishery for this species, as well. A few additional years of stocking are required to evaluate the success of the Walleye stocking, but early indications are that Walleye survival has been very poor and the lake remains best suited for Largemouth Bass, Bluegills, Black Crappies, and Northern Pike. Test nets in 2014 showed continued strong catch rates of Northern Pike and low catches of cold-water species such as Tullibee and trout. The Northern Pike catch per gill net was near the historic high at 11.0 per net in 2014. The average pike weight was 1.8 pounds and length was 20.2 inches. No Brown or Rainbow Trout were collected in 2014 test nets. A few, large Cisco (Tullibee) were sampled once again. Other species present in Meadow Lake and sought by anglers include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie. Bluegills are relatively abundant with a wide range of sizes present. Bluegills over eight inches are not abundant, but can be found, and there are good numbers from seven to eight inches in length. The Black Crappie sample was strong in numbers, but predominated by young, small fish. A relatively strong 2012 year class may provide good crappie opportunities in the future. Largemouth Bass catches were consistent with historical Meadow Lake catches and slightly higher than normal compared to other lakes of the same ecological classification. Aquatic vegetation (especially bulrushes and cattails) should be protected on this small lake. Shoreland developers and landowners should use practices that preserve water quality, fish populations, and property values. Small lakes tend to be particularly vulnerable to development-related pressures and the eutrophication process.

Meadow Lake is one of two area lakes managed as a two-story lake. Rainbow and brown trout yearlings are stocked annually. They occupy a cold-water portion of the lake that is generally not utilized by the lake's cool and warmwater species like bluegill sunfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike. The trout stocking strategy has been to provide trout that are readily caught by anglers (rainbows) and trout that are not as easily caught, but have the potential to reach trophy size (browns). Test nets in 2007 showed a continued increase in the number of northern pike per gill net and low numbers of cold-water species (tullibee, trout). The northern pike catch per gill net increased from 9.0 per net in 2002 to a historic high of 12.3 per net in 2007. The average pike weight was 2.6 pounds and length was 21.2 inches. No brown trout or cisco (tullibee) were collected in 2007 test nets. Nine rainbow trout were sampled. Other species present in Meadow Lake and sought by anglers include bluegill, largemouth bass, and black crappie. Aquatic vegetation (especially bulrushes and cattails) should be protected on this small lake. Shoreland developers and landowners should use practices that preserve water quality, fish populations, and property values.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, Brown Trout, and Rock Bass in Meadow. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Meadow has a maximum depth of 72 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 Meadow is from 2024.

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