Eunice

Lake Eunice is a 325-acre, Class-31 lake located in Becker County eleven miles southwest of Detroit Lakes. Lake Eunice is positioned directly southeast of Maud Lake, separated by County Highway 22. The lake's shoreline is highly developed and extensive bulrush and emergent vegetation removal has occurred in the last two decades. Zebra mussels were discovered in the lake in 2015. Lake Eunice possesses a protected slot limit on Largemouth Bass between 12-20 inches with one bass over 20 inches allowed in possession. This regulation went into effect in 2008. A targeted survey was conducted in May and June of 2025 to assess the size structure and density of the Largemouth Bass population. Seven mark and recapture events were completed throughout the study period. Unmarked bass were measured and given a fin clip before being released. Only bass greater than eight inches were counted. A total of 245 bass were marked with 12 of these bass being recaptured. Average length of bass sampled was 12.7 inches. About 63% of the bass were over 12 inches but only 13% were over 15 inches. These numbers indicate a population with a small size structure with most fish in the 12-to-14-inch range. It was estimated that Lake Eunice has 2,032 bass over eight inches, or a density of 5.4 bass per surface acre in the lake. The average statewide density is 7.7 bass per acre. These results suggest that Lake Eunice anglers have the opportunity to catch and release good numbers of small bass.

Lake Eunice is a 325-acre lake located in Becker County eleven miles southwest of the city of Detroit Lakes. Lake Eunice is positioned directly southeast of Maud Lake, separated by County Highway 22. Similar to Maud Lake, Lake Eunice has special regulations for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill. Zebra mussels were discovered in the lake in 2015. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Lake Eunice in June 2021. The average catch rate of Walleye in Lake Eunice has remained low since the 1950s. Walleye abundance in 2021 appeared to be no different, with only one Walleye captured per gill net. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 11.7 to 26.1 inches, averaging 16.1 inches long. Unlike Walleye, Northern Pike abundance in Lake Eunice has had no issues remaining high. Gill nets in 2021 caught 10 pike per net. Sampled pike ranged in length from 10.2 to 37.6 inches, averaging 17.3 inches long. Bluegill abundance was below average in 2021, with trap nets catching an average of 24 fish per net. Bluegill ranged in length from 2.5 to 9.1 inches, averaging 5.7 inches long. A six-year-old Bluegill was found to be 5 inches long. Black Crappie catch rates have remained low (less than one crappie per trap net) in Lake Eunice since the 1970 survey. In 2021, a total of three crappie were caught during the entire survey. Sampled Black Crappie ranged in length from 9.6 to 11.0 inches. Largemouth Bass are abundant in Lake Eunice. Bass ranged in size from 6.7 to 16.3 inches, and averaged 12.7 inches long. Additional species sampled in 2021 included Yellow Perch, Yellow Bullhead, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Cisco, and White Sucker. Common Carp are present in Lake Eunice, though none were captured during this survey. Anglers can help maintain and improve Lake Eunice'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.

Fisheries Lake Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) program staff conducted a targeted survey of the nearshore fish community on August 1, 2017. Sampling stations 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 stations, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 16 native species of fish including five species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) as well as two tolerant species (Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from standard gill and trap netting surveys to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) that describes the overall health of the lake. 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. 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 FIBI score for Eunice Lake based on this survey is above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. 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.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Walleye in Eunice. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Eunice has a maximum depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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