Kitchi

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kitchi Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Nation, was conducted on July 29 - August 1, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites 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 18 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Deep, soft sediments, dense emergent vegetation, and deep water prevented the use of seines at eight stations. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Muskellunge, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Sixteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 14 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance, Muskellunge. Bluegill (38%) and Pumpkinseed (26%) comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill (23%), Muskellunge (18%), and Bowfin (15%) comprised a majority by biomass. Overall, the numbers of fish captured per net was relatively low with only 14 fish and 7 pounds per net. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from an August 2019 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). 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. Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kitchi Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Nation, on July 29th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 42.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 16.1 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 22.5 degrees C (72.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources just outside the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2009, indicate suitable oxythermal habitat layer thickness of over 18 feet and a TDO3 of 19.2 degrees C. The least favorable conditions were recorded in this survey during a particularly hot summer season. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Kitchi Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the MNDNR FIBI general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. There is, however, concern for the Cisco population due to their absence from the most recent (2019) gill net sampling and the lack of optimal coldwater habitat observed in 2024. The FIBI results are similar to a 2019 survey regarding the biological health of the nearshore fish community of Kitchi Lake. You can help protect the fish community in Kitchi Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Kitchi is a 1,858 acre lake, located 18 miles east of Bemidji, MN and part of the Cass Lake chain of lakes. A targeted survey was completed on Kitchi Lake by Bemidji Area Fisheries staff during early August in 2019 to assess the nearshore fish community and overall health of the lake. In this survey, 18 nearshore sites (100-foot) were evenly spaced along the lakeshore to sample a variety of aquatic habitat types and collect a representative sample of the nearshore fish community. Depending on the habitat conditions at each site, backpack electrofishing and shoreline seining were attempted. Due to steep shoreline contours, dense vegetation, and soft bottom areas only four sites were sampled with a seine, while backpack electrofishing was completed at all 18 sites. A total of 18 species of fish were sampled, which included eight species (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Muskellunge, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) that are intolerant to disturbance or poor water quality. Nearshore community data was analyzed with information collected from the standard survey completed in 2019 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) score to measure the biological condition and overall health of Kitchi Lake. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and healthy habitat (e.g. Blackchin Shiner, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The combination of fish species present may identify stressors negatively affecting the lake environment. The FIBI score is composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics to indicate the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website (www.mndnr.gov). According to the survey, Kitchi Lake is in good health with a FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. In coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River (Headwaters) Watershed assessment.

Kitchi is a 1,858-acre, lightly developed lake located in southeastern Beltrami County approximately 18 miles east of Bemidji. Kitchi has a average water clarity of 4 feet and a maximum depth of 50 feet. The lake is categorized as eutrophic and surrounded by conifer and hardwood forest. Kitchi's main inlet and outlet is the Turtle River. Kitchi is connected to the Cass Lake (Andrusia, Big Rice, Big Wolf, Cass, Little Rice, and Pike Bay) chain of lakes by the Mississippi and Turtle rivers, which influence the lake's water level. Cass Lake is connected to Kitchi Lake by the Turtle River and Pug Hole Lake, which allows for boat and fish passage between the lakes. There is no public boat access on Kitchi Lake, but boaters can access through Pug Hole Lake from the north shore of Cass Lake. Standard and targeted surveys were completed on Kitchi Lake in 2019 to assess the fish community. Gamefish species targeted by anglers in this lake include Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. Fish populations within the Cass Lake chain are influenced by fish movement between lakes. Walleye ranged from 8 to 24 inches in length and averaged just over 15 inches. Walleye abundance has decreased in recent surveys and was below the typical range for lakes with similar morphology and water chemistry. However, Kitchi and other lakes connected to Cass Lake have a reputation of being good for Walleye early in the season. Walleye are known to make significant migrations up the Mississippi and Turtle rivers to spawn. Walleye tagging and marking studies have confirmed the fish become mixed throughout the Cass Lake chain of lakes while migrating to various spawning locations. Depending on spring weather conditions, Walleye typically finish spawning before opener and are in the process of migrating back to the main lakes. Northern Pike abundance remained low in 2019 and was normal for Kitchi Lake. Northern Pike ranged from 11 to 28 inches and averaged nearly 2 pounds. Even with a low density population, cool water refuge, and desirable forage, size structure continues to be poor. With 70% of Northern Pike captured in gill nets less than 22 inches, anglers should have the opportunity to catch harvestable size fish. Like Walleye, Northern Pike migrate to spawn in the spring. In addition, younger fish in the Cass Lake chain of lakes may use Kitchi as a nursey area to grow before moving to different areas. Two Muskellunge were captured at sizes of 23 and 31 inches. This number of muskies is similar to previous surveys. Standard surveys rarely capture Muskellunge and are a poor indicator of actual Muskellunge abundance. The Cass Lake chain of lakes are known for a natural reproducing population of Muskellunge that typically provides anglers with good fishing. Bluegill abundance was low and consistent with previous surveys for this lake. The Bluegill population appears healthy with Bluegill averaging about 8 inches in length, with some Bluegill larger than 9 inches being fairly common. Black Crappie ranged in length from 5 to 13 inches and averaged nearly 10 inches. Black Crappie abundance was higher than normal and multiple year classes were captured indicating consistent reproduction and a healthy population. Yellow Perch abundance was above average for the lake and within the normal range when compared to similar lakes in the area. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 4 to 10 inches, averaged just over 6 inches, but only about 5% were larger than 8 inches in length. Other species sampled during the survey included Bowfin (dogfish), Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. Kitchi is infested with Zebra Mussel and Rusty Crayfish; caution should be used when you enter and leave the lake. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) can be transferred from infested to non-infested waterbodies by anglers, boats, and lake shore owners. Please follow current AIS regulations to avoid spreading to other lakes, which could negatively impact the aquatic communities.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Muskellunge in Kitchi. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Kitchi has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kitchi is from 2024.

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