Lura

Lura Lake is a 1,358-acre lake located approximately 4 miles southwest of the town of Mapleton in Blue Earth County. Lura lake has a maximum depth of 9 feet. Lura Lake is a hypereutrophic lake and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency describes the overall condition of the lake as, "Not always suitable for swimming and wading due to low clarity or excessive algae caused by the presence of nutrients such as phosphorus in the water." The watershed is dominated by agriculture which has negatively affected the lake. For many years the lake has been aerated and no winterkills have been reported since a lake wide reclamation in 1994. Eurasian Watermilfoil and curly leaf pondweed are abundant and a nuisance to boating and fishing at certain times of the year. There are 4 public accesses on the lake; two in Daly Park, one on the west side of the north basin, and one on the west side of the south basin. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. From 2021 to 2023, approximately 612,000 Walleye fry were stocked annually. Lura Lake is designated as a Tier-1 lake and will be surveyed as part of a regular monitoring program at a frequency of every 3 years. The 2023 survey was completed the week of 28 August 2023 using 8 gill nets and 11 trap nets. Daytime electrofishing for Largemouth bass was completed 26 May 2023 as Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled by traditional netting gear. Water quality parameters were also recorded. Black Crappies were abundant in 2023 with a total of 230 sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 28.8/net. Black Crappie catch rates have varied from 0.0/net to 57.5/net with a mean of 8.8/net since 1994. Trap nets also sampled a high number of Black Crappies, an average of 33.7 were sampled per trap net, also well above the third quartile (6.5/net) for class 39 lakes. A rarity in surveys prior to 2002 (n = 8), Black Crappies have become common in Lura Lake. Black Crappie ranged from 3.2 to 14.6 inches with a mean of 6.1 inches. Black Crappie were aged using otoliths and scales. Ages ranged from age-1 to age-6 with 6 year classes present, indicating consistent recruitment. A majority of the sample was age-2. Growth was fast with 10 inches exceeded around age-3. Black Crappies have become an important part of the Lura Lake fish community in a time when winterkill no longer occurs regularly. Bluegills sampled in trap nets at a rate of 12.1/net. Bluegill catch rates have varied from 0.8/net to 73.4/net with an average of 19.5/net since 1994. In 2023 lengths ranged from 3.2 to 7.2 inches with an average of 4.1 inches. Bluegills were aged using otoliths and scales. Ages ranged from age-1 to age-4 with 4-year classes present. Age-1 and Age-2 fish made up ninety percent of the sample. Largemouth bass were sampled using daytime boat electrofishing in May of 2023. This is because Largemouth Bass are typically less susceptible to sampling when using passive gears such as trap nets and gill nets. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 34.3/ hour of electrofishing. Largemouth Bass caught electrofishing ranged in size from 3.0 to 20.1 inches and averaged 10.8 inches in length. One hundred and ten Largemouth Bass were sample using gill nets and trap nets. These fish ranged in length from 4.4 to 19.8 inches. Ninety-seven percent of these fish were under 10 inches in length. The Largemouth Bass population in Lura Lake is abundant and has a variety of sizes available to anglers. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 14.3/ gill net, down from the historically high numbers in 2020 (33.3/net). Northern Pike numbers have surged in recent surveys after being sampled at low levels prior to 2013. Northern Pike in 2023 ranged from 14.0 inches to 32.5 inches with an average of 26.0 inches. Approximately 77% exceeded the legal minimum length limit of 24 inches. The high abundance and moderate size structure should allow for great angling over the next few years. A total of 31 Walleyes were sampled in 2023 for a catch rate of 3.9/net. Walleyes were extremely abundant in surveys completed from 1994 to 2002 but have declined sharply since then. Walleye ranged from 7.5 to 27.1 inches with an average of 21.3 inches. Walleye were aged using otoliths. Walleye were age-1 to age-12 with 7 year classes present. Approximately 48% were age-3 to age-5. Interestingly the 2020 year class was the largest with 7 individuals, though no stocking was done due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Growth was fast with 15 inches exceeded by age-2. Walleye fry stocking has become less and less effective in Lura Lake. Without winterkills or reclamations, it is unreasonable to expect Walleye numbers to return to the high levels enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s. A total of 407 Yellow Perch were sampled for a catch rate of 50.8/net. Yellow Perch numbers have fluctuated wildly from 1994 to 2023 with a range of 1.0/net to 290.0/net and an average of 64.6/net. Aside from 146.8/net sampled in 2013, recent catch rates have fallen below the historical mean. Lengths ranged from 5.4 to 9.7 inches with an average of 6.6 inches. Yellow Perch remain an important species in Lura Lake. Black Bullheads are often the most abundant fish sampled in Lura Lake surveys. In 2023 Black Bullheads were sampled at a rate of 58.0/gill net, just barely exceeding the lake class third quartile (57.5/net). Catch rates have varied from 15.0/net to 525.5/net with an average of 123.9/net since 1994. The degraded nature of Lura Lake matches well with Black Bullhead habitat preferences, and they will likely remain an abundant species for years to come. A total of 66 Common Carp were sampled for a catch rate of 2.8/gill net. Common Carp have become more common in recent surveys and likely have a negative impact on water quality. Bigmouth Buffalo were the most abundant species in 2023 with 482 being sampled, all but one was under 10 inches in length. Other species sampled in low numbers included Channel Catfish and Golden Shiner. Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of just 1.5 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 6.7 ppm and 77.0 degrees Fahrenheit at one foot to 6.8 ppm and 76.6 degrees Fahrenheit at 8 feet. No thermocline was detected. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Lura Lake is a 1,358-acre lake located approximately 4 miles southwest of the town of Mapleton in Blue Earth County. It has a maximum depth of 9 feet. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency describes the overall condition of the lake as, "Not always suitable for swimming and wading due to low clarity or excessive algae caused by the presence of nutrients such as phosphorus in the water." The watershed is dominated by agriculture and has negatively affected the lake. For many years the lake has been aerated and no winterkills have been reported since a lake wide reclamation in 1994. Invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly Leaf Pondweed are abundant and a nuisance to boating and fishing at certain times of the year. There are 4 public accesses on the lake; two in Daly Park, one on the west side of the north basin, and one on the west side of the south basin. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. From 2016 to 2018, approximately 1,224,000 Walleye fry were stocked annually. In 2019, the stocking rate was decreased to 500 fry/littoral acre (n = 612,000). Lura Lake is designated as a Tier-1 lake and will be surveyed as part of a regular monitoring program at a frequency of every 3 years. A targeted survey completed the week of August 22, 2020 using 8 gill nets. Trap nets and spring boat electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass were not completed as planned due to COVID-19 restrictions. Water quality parameters were also recorded. Results from this survey are comparable to historical standard surveys since standardized methods were used. Black Crappies were abundant in 2020 with a total of 460 sampled for a catch rate of 57.5/net, indicating high numbers were present. Since 1994, catch rates have varied from 0.0/net to 57.5/net with an average of 8.8/net. A rarity in surveys prior to 2002, Black Crappies have become common in Lura Lake. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 5.0 to 14.7 inches with an average of 6.2 inches. The majority of the sample was between 5.0 and 7.0 inches but a cluster of fish from 9.5 to 15.0 inches were also measured. Most of the fish were young with an overwhelming majority only1 year old. Growth was fast with 10 inches exceeded around 3 years old. Black Crappies have become an important part of the Lura Lake fish community in a time when winterkill no longer occurs regularly. Only two Bluegills were captured with the gill nets in 2020. Typically, Bluegills are better sampled with trap nets. Just 4 Largemouth Bass ranging from 4.2 to 18.7 inches were sampled with the gill nets in 2020. Spring boat electrofishing is the preferred gear for sampling Largemouth Bass and was not completed as planned due to COVID-19 restrictions. Northern Pike were sampled at historically high numbers in 2020. A total of 266 were caught in the gill nets for a catch rate of 33.3/net, which is approximately 3 times higher than the previous high catch rate from 1994 to 2017. Northern Pike numbers have surged in recent years after being sampled at low levels prior to 2013. Northern Pike lengths in 2020 ranged from 16.2 to 38.5 with an average of 21.1 inches. Approximately 11% exceeded the legal minimum length limit of 24 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 7 years old with 7 year classes present. Approximately 70% of the fish were 1 year old. Growth was fast with the 24 inch minimum length surpassed by their third year. The fast growing and highly abundant 2019 year class should provide excellent Northern Pike angling in coming years. Lura Lake is located in the Southern Northern Pike management zone. In order to harvest a Northern Pike the fish must be over 24.0 inches in length. The daily bag limit in this zone is 2 Northern Pike per day. A total of 24 Walleyes were sampled in 2020 for a catch rate of 3.0/net, indicating moderate numbers were present. Walleyes were extremely abundant in surveys completed from 1994 to 2002 but have declined sharply since then. Walleye lengths ranged from 15.4 to 27.5 inches with an average of 23.3 inches. Approximately 88% of the sample exceeded 20 inches in length. Walleye were 1 to 11 years old with 7 year classes present. Approximately 46% of Walleyes were 6 years old and a product of the 2014 fry stocking. Walleye growth was fast with 15 inches exceeded by 2 years old and 20 inches exceeded around their 3 year. Walleye fry stocking has become less and less effective in Lura Lake. Without winterkills or reclamations, it is unreasonable to expect Walleye numbers to return to the high levels enjoyed in the 1990's and early 2000's. Yellow Perch were sampled in modest numbers in 2020. A total of 71 were sampled for a catch rate of 8.9/net, indicating low to moderate numbers were present. Numbers have fluctuated wildly from 1994 to 2020 with a range of 1.0/net to 290.0/net and an average of 65.5/net. Aside from 146.8/net sampled in 2013, recent catch rates have fallen well below the historical average. Lengths ranged from 4.9 to 10.6 inches with an average of 8.3 inches. Approximately 16% of Yellow Perch sampled were 10 inches or longer. Fish were mostly young with over half the sample 3 years old. Growth was moderate with 8 inches surpassed by their third year. Yellow Perch remain an important species in Lura Lake and are one of the more commonly targeted species by anglers. A total of 9 Channel Catfish were sampled in 2020 for catch rate of 1.1/net. The 2017 survey was the first record of Channel Catfish in Lura Lake when 4 were sampled. Lengths ranged from 7.4 inches to 26.9 inches with an average of 18.6 inches. The wide range of lengths sampled offers strong evidence of multiple year-classes and natural reproduction occurring in the lake. It remains unknown how Channel Catfish were introduced into Lura Lake but they do offer an additional game species to target and may take advantage of abundant black bullheads for food. Black Bullheads are often the most abundant fish sampled in Lura Lake surveys and 2020 was no different. A total of 461 were sampled for a catch rate of 57.6/net, indicating high numbers were present. From 1994 to 2020, catch rates have varied from 15.0/net to 525.5/net with an average of 128.6/net. The degraded nature of Lura Lake matches well with Black Bullhead habitat preferences and they will likely remain an abundant species for years to come. A total of 22 Common Carp were sampled in 2020 for a catch rate of 2.8/net. Common Carp have become more common in recent surveys and likely have a negative impact on water quality. The only other species sampled in 2020 was the Golden Shiner. Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of just 1.5 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 6.1 ppm and 76.6 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 1.1 ppm and 76.5 degrees Fahrenheit at 9 feet. No thermocline was detected. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. - Sky Wigen, Fisheries Specialist

Lura Lake is a 1,358 acre lake located approximately 4 miles southwest of the town of Mapleton in Blue Earth County. It has a maximum depth of 9 feet. Lura is a hypereutrophic lake and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency describes the overall condition of the lake as, "Not always suitable swimming and wading due to low clarity or excessive algae caused by the presence of nutrients such as phosphorus in the water." The watershed is dominated by agriculture and has negatively affected the lake. For many years the lake has been aerated and no winterkills have been reported since a lake wide reclamation in 1994. Eurasian water milfoil and curly leaf pondweed are abundant and a nuisance to boating and fishing at certain times of the year. There are 4 public accesses on the lake; two in Daly Park, one on the west side of the north basin, and one on the west side of the south basin. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Yellow Perch and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. In recent years, 1,224,000 Walleye fry have been stocked every other year starting in 2010. In 2008, 823 adult and 2,551 fingerling Northern Pike were stocked. All other game fish maintain their populations through natural reproduction. A standard survey was completed in 2017 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying 4 gill nets, 11 trap nets, and 83 minutes of boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also recorded. A standard survey was conducted on 28 August 2017 by the MN DNR using day-time electrofishing to assess the Largemouth Bass population. A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (gillnets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying 4 gill nets, 11 trap nets, and 83 minutes of boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also recorded. A total of 19 Walleye were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 4.8/net, which indicated moderate numbers were present. Walleye catch rates were high averaging 27.3/net over ten years after the 1994 reclamation. Since 2004, catch rates have dropped to an average of 5.5/net. Lengths in 2017 ranged from 16.5 to 27.1 inches with an average of 21.5 inches. The sample was dominated by larger fish and approximately 74% of the sample was larger than 20 inches. An additional 25.0 inch fish was sampled with trap nets. Fish ranged from 2 to 10 years old with 4 year classes present. Fifty-five percent of the fish were 3 years old and 30% were 6 years old. Just over half the sample was aged to stocked year classes. A total of 37 Yellow Perch were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 9.3/net, which indicated low to moderate numbers were present. Catch rates since 1994 have been extremely variable ranging from 1.0/net to 290.0/net with an average of 69.9/net. In 3 out of 5 surveys since 2004, catch rates have failed to exceed 10.0/net. Lengths in 2017 ranged from 5.8 to 12.1 inches with an average of 7.4 inches. Only 5% of the population was larger than 10 inches. An additional 112 Yellow Perch ranging from 5.1 to 10.1 inches were sampled with trap nets. Ages ranged from 1 to 4 years old with 4 year classes present. Over 81% of the population was 1 year old. Although the catch rate was low, the abundance of 1 and 2 year old fish suggest a healthy population that should provide both angling opportunity and prey for predator game species. Black Crappie were very abundant in 2017. A total of 497 were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 45.3/net, which was the highest on record since the 1994 reclamation. Post-reclamation, catch rates were low ranging from 0.1/net to 3.0/net from 1995 to 2002. Since 2002, catch rates increased to an average of 17.7/net. Lengths in 2017 ranged from 2.9 to 14.2 inches with an average of 6.5 inches. Approximately 7% of the catchable population was greater than 10.0 inches. An additional 52 fish ranging from 5.2 to 14.6 inches were sampled with gill nets. Fish ranged from 1 to 8 years old with 5 year classes present. Approximately 88% was 1 year old. In 2017, the Black Crappie population in Lura Lake continued to increase in abundance and become a bigger component of an increasingly diverse fishery. Bluegill were the most abundant fish sampled in 2017. A total of 807 were caught for a catch rate of 73.4/net, which indicated high numbers were present. This was the highest catch rate on record since the 1994 reclamation. From 1995 to 2002, the average catch rate was just 7.8/net. Since then, catch rates increased to an average of 37.7/net. Lengths in 2017 ranged from 3.1 to 10.3 inches with an average of 4.8 inches. Approximately 14% of the catchable population exceeded 6 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 4 years old with 3 year classes present. One and two year old fish accounted for more than 99% of the sample. In recent years, Bluegill have become a prominent member of the Lura Lake fish community and offer an additional angling opportunity. A total of 65 Largemouth Bass were sampled with boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 46.8/hour on-time which was slightly higher than the previous two samples on record. The catch rate in 2000 was 40.0/hour and in 2013 was 33.6/hour. Lengths ranged from 3.4 to 19.3 inches with an average of 10.9 inches. Approximately 18% of the catchable population was greater than 15.0 inches. An additional 8 fish ranging from 4.5 to 20.1 inches were sampled with gill and trap nets. Fish were not aged however the length frequency distribution suggested the presence of many strong year classes as well as consistent reproduction. Like other species, Largemouth Bass numbers increased in Lura Lake in recent years. A total of 20 Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 5.0/net, indicating low to moderate numbers were present. Few Northern Pike were sampled during the post reclamation period from 1995 to 2008 with an average catch rate of just 1.4/net. In 2008, a number of adult and fingerling Northern Pike were stocked to boost the population and in 2013 the catch rate jumped to 10.0/net. Lengths in 2017 ranged from 20.1 to 38.6 inches with an average of 27.9 inches. Approximately 45% of the catchable sample exceeded 28 inches. An additional 8 fish ranging from 10.8 to 37.6 inches were sampled with trap nets. Fish were not aged however the size structure suggests at least some natural reproduction was occurring and the population had reached a self-sustaining level following the 2008 stocking event. Channel Catfish were sampled in Lura Lake for the first time in 2017 since the 1994 reclamation. A total of 12 were sampled with gill and trap nets. Lengths ranged from 13.9 to 23.7 inches. There was no record of stocking Channel Catfish within the last 10 years so the source of these fish was unknown. Anglers are reminded it is illegal to move fish from one body of water to another. A total of 22 Common Carp were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 5.5/net, which indicated high numbers were present. Common Carp remained rare in the first few years following the 1994 reclamation but eventually increased to a high of 8.5/net in 2008. As long as the lake remains relatively stable and the fish community diverse, Common Carp numbers should not return to the pre-reclamation 1994 catch rate of 27.5/net. A total of 271 Black Bullhead were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 67.8, which indicated high numbers were present. After remaining at moderate levels from 1995 to 1999, numbers increased from 2000 to 2006, reaching a high of 525.5/net in 2006 before falling to 31.0/net in 2013. Lengths in 2017 ranged from 5.4 to 15.7 inches with an average of 9.0 inches. Anglers looking to target bullhead in 2018 could do worse than Lura Lake where over a third of the catchable population exceeded 9.0 inches. Other species sampled in 2017 include Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, and hybrid sunfish. Temperature and oxygen readings ranged from 70.7 degrees Fahrenheit and 9.1 ppm at the surface to 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit and 8.7 ppm at 9.0 feet. The lake is shallow and windswept and no thermocline was detected in 2017. -Sky Wigen, fisheries specialist

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

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

Lura has a maximum depth of 9 feet and a mean depth of 5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lura is from 2023.

Yes — Lura has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.