Gull

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Gull Lake was conducted on July 12-14, 2021, 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 24 sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 10 stations, a 15-foot seine was used at eight stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at six stations. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2020 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 (Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (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. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Gull Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Headwaters Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Gull Lake is a 2,256-acre, moderately developed lake located in southern Beltrami County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Bemidji, MN. Gull has a mean depth of 10 feet and a maximum depth of 23 feet. Aquatic vegetation is abundant in this productive shallow lake basin. An Aquatic Management Area (AMA) is located on the western shore, just north of and adjacent to the public boat access. The public access is accessible from County Road 23, has a concrete ramp, and room for 6 to 8 vehicles. A standard survey was completed on Gull Lake in 2020 to assess the fish community. Gamefish species targeted by anglers in this lake include Bluegill, Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie. Bluegill abundance decreased from 2014 but was still within the normal range for this lake. Bluegill lengths averaged 7 inches, with a few Bluegill over 10 inches captured. The Bluegill population appears healthy with ages ranging from 2 to 14 years old. In addition to the special regulation (reduced bag limit of 5 sunfish), it is recommended to keep smaller sunfish and release the majority of larger sunfish to maintain a balanced population. Walleye ranged from 7 to 25 inches in length and averaged around 16 inches. Walleye abundance increased from 2014, was slightly below the lake's historical average, and above the typical range for lakes with similar morphological characteristics. Walleye fry are stocked annually to account for inconsistent natural reproduction. A total of 12 year classes were captured with 60% of the Walleye being 4 years old or younger, indicating good recruitment in recent years. Northern Pike remain abundant and above the typical range for similar lakes in Minnesota. Northern Pike ranged from 10 to 28 inches and averaged 19 inches. Eighty-three percent of the Northern Pike captured in gill nets were outside the North Central Zone protected size range of 22-26 inches, giving anglers a good opportunity to catch harvestable size fish. Northern Pike ages ranged from 1 to 6 years old. Largemouth Bass lengths ranged 5 to 18 inches and averaged about 12.0 inches. The small sample size was expected based on previous standard surveys. Largemouth Bass abundance is low but anglers do have a chance at quality sized fish. Black Crappie ranged from 7 to 12 inches in length. Only a few Black Crappie were captured in the 2020 survey, providing little information for the population. Yellow Perch abundance increased from 2014 but was less than the historical average for the lake. Yellow Perch are an important forage species for large predators like Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. Other species sampled during the survey included Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. With increasing shoreline development, maintaining water quality and fish habitat are important concerns for landowners and stakeholders on and around Gull Lake. To protect water quality, habitat, and the fish community, lakeshore owners and stakeholders need to preserve riparian habitat and aquatic plants. Riparian habitat is important in protecting shorelines from eroding and the lake from pollutants. Aquatic plants provide cover, food, spawning habitat, and rearing areas for fish and for the insects and small animals they eat. Protecting habitat will help keep the fish community healthy in Gull Lake.

Gull Lake is a 2,256-acre lake with a maximum depth of 23 feet located northeast of Bemidji near Tenstrike, MN. The is a DNR public water access located on the west shore of the lake off of County Road 23 with a concrete ramp and parking for six trucks/trailers. There is a moderate amount of lakeshore development including three resorts and two RV campgrounds. Due to the shallow nature of the lake basin, Gull Lake contains extensive amounts of aquatic vegetation. Gull Lake is managed primarily for Walleye, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. A special regulation consisting of a 5-fish bag limit for Sunfish has been in effect since 2005. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical characteristics and the fish community present in the lake. Gull Lake is in lake class 35. The following discussion makes comparisons between Gull Lake and other class 35 lakes in the state. Other Bemidji area lakes in this class include Big Bass, Rabideau and Stump Lake. Gull Lake has been stocked with Walleye fry annually since 2005, and this management approach has supported consistent fishing for the species during most years. The 2014 Walleye catch rate of 2.33/GN was above the median value for class 35 lakes (2.11/GN). Walleye up to 23.23 inches in length were captured in 2014, with an average size of 15.77 inches. Gull Lake has become known for quality Bluegill fishing. A special regulation which reduced the bag limit to 5 fish was implemented in 2005 to help maintain the quality of the fishery, which has shown the potential to produce good numbers of large fish. The regulation has been well received and interest in Bluegill fishing has remained high on Gull Lake since the regulation was implemented. The 2014 Bluegill catch rate of 9.47/trap net is comparable to the median of 9.25/trap net for class 35 lakes. Twenty seven percent of the catch exceeded 8 inches in length, with fish up to 9.33 inches in length present. Anglers should expect fishing for quality-size Bluegill to improve as the high proportion of medium-size fish in the population grow to 9 inches or more in the next few years. Northern Pike are abundant in Gull Lake. The 2014 catch rate of 11.33/gill net was just above the normal range for similar lakes (3.55/gill net to 11/gill net). As with many lakes across northern Minnesota, the average size of Pike in Gull Lake has declined over the course of assessments, with an average size of 19.57 inches in length and 1.47 lbs/fish in 2014. The largest Pike captured was 35.24 inches in length. Largemouth Bass are present in Gull Lake, although the population does not seem particularly abundant. Electrofishing conducted as part of the 2014 assessment resulted in a catch rate of 9.25 fish/hour, which is low for the Bemidji area. Bass up to 17.24 inches in length were captured, with a good average size of 14.93 inches. With 12.83 miles of shoreline and extensive stands of aquatic vegetation, Gull Lake offers no shortage of potential areas to fish for Bass. Other species of fish captured in the 2014 assessment were Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Perch and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Gull has a maximum depth of 23 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Gull has confirmed starry stonewort. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.