Little Cormorant

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Little Cormorant Lake on June 10th, 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 91 survey sites evenly spaced 400 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 77.2 (+/- 2.2) out of 100 possible. A score of 77.2 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Moderate (70-79.9). There was a large difference in habitat quality between developed and undeveloped sites, with developed sites having poor shoreline habitat quality. Approximately 55 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 65.0 (+/- 2.9) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 92.2 (+/- 1.0) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Little Cormorant Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff from 5-6 July 2023. Fourteen sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 sites with three sites sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample 7 sites, a 15-foot seine was used at four sites, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at three sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 11 native species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (Rock Bass) and one species (Green Sunfish) that is tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net data from a July 2023 survey and gill net data from a June 2022 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. An additional survey was completed on Little Cormorant Lake in late July 2023 resulting in a slightly higher FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey and the additional survey in late July indicate the fish community in Little Cormorant Lake is adversely impacted by stressors as indicated by an FIBI score below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Little Cormorant Lake was impaired for aquatic life use based on the Fish IBI. 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 Cormorant is a 924-acre, class 25 lake located in southwestern Becker County, four miles south of Audubon. The lake's irregular shape, with its many bays and islands, displays the highest shoreline to surface area ratio of any lake in the Detroit Lakes Management Area. Water levels are primarily influenced by ground water and runoff from the immediate watershed. With its many shallow bays and high productivity, Little Cormorant is susceptible to periodic winterkill, although none have occurred for 32 years. In an effort to reduce the effects of winterkill, the Cormorant Lakes Sportsmen's Club has operated lake aeration systems frequently since the 1980's. Since 2008, Little Cormorant Lake has regulations for Walleye (17-inch minimum length limit), Bluegill (five fish bag limit), and Black Crappie (five fish bag limit and 10 inch minimum length limit). A standard fisheries survey was conducted at the end of June 2022 to evaluate the fish populations in Little Cormorant Lake. Walleye abundance continues to remain low in Little Cormorant Lake. Only a total of 12 Walleye were caught during the 2022 survey. Walleye had an average length of 19 inches. In contrast, Northern Pike were caught in record numbers in 2022. Although some pike were found to be over 30 inches long, anglers can expect pike to average 22 inches long. Bluegill abundance also remains high in Little Cormorant Lake. Bluegill were primarily six inches long, but fish over nine inches were observed. A total of 17 Black Crappie were captured in nets in 2022. Crappie had an average size of seven inches with the largest fish measuring almost 11 inches. Largemouth Bass were primarily caught in nets set in offshore areas and had an average length of 15 inches. One bass was measured that was 19.5 inches long. Other fish species captured during the survey included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

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

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

Little Cormorant has a maximum depth of 34 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Cormorant is from 2022.

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