Maud

Maud Lake is a 517-acre lake located in southwestern Becker County eleven miles southwest of Detroit Lakes. Maud Lake is considered moderately productive and possesses 300 littoral acres. The lake's shoreline is highly developed along its southern and northern shores. Special regulations exist for sunfish, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Zebra mussels were discovered in the lake in 2016. Catch rates of Walleye in Maud Lake have remained low, despite stocking. The average catch rate of Walleye was about two per gill net in 2021, equivalent to the lake's historical average. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 18.7 to 25.3 inches, averaging 21.5 inches long. Northern Pike catch rates have remained relatively stable in Maud Lake. The average catch rate of Northern Pike in 2021 was about five pike per gill net. Sampled Northern Pike ranged in length from 9.7 to 36.0 inches, averaging 18.6 inches long. Of the sampled pike, 16% were 24 inches or longer. Bluegill abundance was below average in 2021. Trap nets caught an average of 21 Bluegill per net. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from 3.3 to 8.3 inches, averaging 6.3 inches long. On average, Bluegill reached a length of 4.5 inches by age five. The last two lake surveys (2016 and 2021) show evidence of improved Bluegill size, based on increased numbers of Bluegill 8 inches or longer being caught. Black Crappie catch rates have stayed low (less than 2 crappie per trap net) in Maud Lake. In 2021, a total of 18 crappie were caught. Sampled Black Crappie ranged in length from 8.0 to 11.2 inches. Largemouth Bass abundance in 2021 was similar to 2016. Sampled Largemouth Bass in 2021 ranged in length from 8.2 to 19.8 inches, averaging 12.7 inches long. Aging indicated it takes four years for Largemouth Bass reach a length of eight inches. Additional species sampled in 2021 included Yellow Perch, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Common Carp, and White Sucker. Yellow Bullhead were abundant in catch but only one Common Carp was caught. Anglers can help maintain and improve Maud Lake's fishery by harvesting small-moderately sized fish for eating and releasing larger fish, as well as taking precautions to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Shoreline owners can help to improve water quality and fish habit in the lake by maintaining shoreline buffer zones and leaving native aquatic vegetation stands intact.

Maud Lake is known primarily as a Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish lake, while also containing a small number of Walleyes. Suitable spawning habitat is present for all fish species except Walleye in Maud Lake and the Walleye fishery is maintained by stocking. Special regulations have existed for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie since 2008. Attempts to improve Walleye fishing by manipulating stocking rates have not resulted in increased Walleye abundance and the number of Walleye captured in 2016 was similar to past surveys. Walleye captured averaged 2.6 pounds each and 19 inches long. Catch rates of Northern Pike in 2016 was at the lake's historical average around 8 per gill net, and much lower than the lake's historical high catch rate in 1985 of 16 per net. Pike had an average size of 17 inches long. A special regulation for Northern Pike requires anglers to release all pike from 24 to 36 inches, with the overall goal of the regulation to increase the size of Northern Pike in the population. Although this is only the second survey since this regulation went into effect, the number of pike over 24 inches was not found to have increased in 2016 compared to previous surveys. Bluegill abundance was found to be similar to past surveys. The mean length of sampled Bluegills was 6.8 inches and lengths ranged from 3.7 to 8.5 inches. Bluegill larger than 8.0 inches were sampled in Maud Lake in 2016, the first time since 1981. Bluegill required 9 years to reach a length of 8 inches. Historical evidence and information from anecdotal fishing pressure suggests the Bluegill population in Maud Lake was relatively unexploited in the 1950's. The potential for Maud Lake to produce quality-sized Bluegills led to a special regulation that limited the bag limit to five Bluegills. Theoretically, this should increase Bluegill size by allowing harvestable size Bluegills to remain in the population for continued growth. Preliminary evidence suggests this regulation is having some success at increasing the overall size of Bluegill in Maud Lake. Black Crappie have never been sampled well in Maud Lake by trap net, but night electrofishing in the spring did produce a catch rate of 35.3 fish per hour. Black crappie sampled by electrofishing had a mean length of 9.4 inches, with lengths ranging from 7.8 to 11.5 inches. Black Crappie required just over 6 years to reach 10 inches long. The special regulation for Black Crappie consists of a bag limit of 5 fish and a minimum length limit of 10 inches. Goals of this regulation are to increase the abundance of Black Crappie and their size. Black Crappie abundance continues to be evaluated after implementation of the regulation, but fish over 11 inches were sampled by electrofishing in 2016. The Largemouth Bass catch rate in trap nets in 2016 set a historical high at 3.6 fish per net. Average size for Largemouth Bass was found to be around 12 inches. Largemouth Bass up to age 16 were sampled, with a 14 inch Largemouth Bass being seven years old. A special regulation exists for Largemouth Bass on Maud Lake since 2008. It consists of a protected slot of 12-20 inches with only one over 20 inches allowed in possession. The goal of this regulation is to increase the size of bass in the population. The survey in 2016 found that the regulation was achieving this goal. Historically, tullibee (cisco) were found in Maud Lake and are likely still present although none were captured in 2004, 2010, or 2016. These fish are an indicator of relatively good water quality. They require areas of cool, well-oxygenated water during the heat of summer to survive. They are also an indicator of the potential for the lake to grow large pike, but only if pike can escape harvest long enough to grow to trophy size. In general, anglers are encouraged to release medium to large fish (especially pike and bluegills) while keeping smaller fish for eating to balance the populations, sustain spawning age fish, and provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish. Lakeshore owners are encouraged to practice good shoreline and land management stewardship. Aquatic vegetation (especially bulrushes) provides spawning, rearing, and feeding cover for many fish species and is important for maintaining good water quality and protecting shorelines from erosion.

Maud Lake is known primarily as a northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish lake which also has a modest population of relatively large walleyes. Suitable spawning habitat is present for all fish species except walleye in Maud Lake and the walleye fishery is maintained by regular stocking. High density walleye stocking (3-4 times normal rates) during the 1980's was not successful at producing higher catch rates. Walleye catches have remained relatively stable throughout history in Maud Lake regardless of stocking rates. There is a current evaluation of walleye fry vs walleye fingerling stocking ongoing. Walleyes captured during the 2010 survey averaged 3.8 pounds each. No exceptionally strong year classes were found, although age five fish were most common. Rather, age groups from eight year classes ranging from five years to at least 13 years were sampled. Despite low catches of yellow perch (a main forage species), walleye growth rates were nearly as fast as statewide averages. Net catches of northern pike and largemouth bass were near the top ends of normal ranges for class 31 lakes. The catch rate for each of these was slightly higher than Maud Lake's historic average. Pike averaged 19.7 inches and 1.9 pounds, although some over 30 inches were caught. Largemouth bass averaged about 12 inches in length. Historically, tullibee (cisco) were found in Maud Lake and are likely still present although none were captured in 2004 or 2010. These fish are an indicator of relatively good water quality. They require areas of cool, well-oxygenated water during the heat of summer to survive. They are also an indicator of the potential for the lake to grow large pike, but only if pike can escape harvest long enough to grow to trophy size. Bluegills are considered abundant in this lake, although catch rates were down in 2010. Unfortunately, large bluegills are rare. Although bluegills over eight inches were common in 1955, none have been sampled since 1981 and growth rates have slowed considerably. It appears that most bluegills are harvested by the time they reach seven inches in Maud Lake. Since, on average, it takes seven or eight years for a bluegill to reach eight inches in this lake, few bluegills survive past that size. In effort to provide some opportunities to catch larger fish in Maud Lake, special regulations went into effect in 2008 for bass (12" - 20" protected slot with one allowed over 20"), crappie (10" minimum length and bag limit of five), northern pike (24" - 36" protected slot with one allowed over 36"), and sunfish (bag limit of five). Although it is far too early to tell, the next scheduled lake assessment (~2014) should begin to indicate whether these regulations are having the desired effect. In general, anglers are encouraged to release medium to large fish (especially pike and bluegills) while keeping smaller fish for eating to balance the populations, sustain spawning age fish, and provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish. Lakeshore owners are encouraged to practice good shoreline and land management stewardship. Aquatic vegetation (especially bulrushes) provides spawning, rearing, and feeding cover for many fish species and is important for maintaining good water quality and protecting shorelines from erosion.

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

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

Maud has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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