Park

Duluth Area fisheries staff conducted a targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Park Lake, located within the 1854 Ceded Territory, on July 22-23, 2025. Sampling sites were sampled for fish using backpack electrofishing and beach seines, depending on habitat conditions. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Two stations were not seined due to poor wading conditions. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish, including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2022 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish- based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish present can help identify stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake's 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., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). 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 provide evidence that the fish community in Park Lake is healthy, as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, indicating that Park Lake fully supports aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when assessing the lake's biological health during the Kettle River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Park Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Park Lake is a 376 acre lake located near Mahtowa, Minnesota with 100% littoral area and a maximum depth of 16 feet. The public access is on the southeastern corner of the lake off county road 7. Park Lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Largemouth Bass. Park was last assessed in 2012 and sampled in 2022 to update information on fish populations. More than 54,000 Walleye fingerlings and 1,000 yearlings were stocked between 1990 and 2012. Due to the poor return of Walleye, stocking now occurs only when surplus Mississippi River strain Walleye are available. Walleye abundance of 0.2 per gillnet lift was down from 2012 (0.8) and below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Gillnet abundance from seven investigations since 1979 has ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 per lift. Not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. A total of 37 Largemouth Bass were sampled by electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass catch rate of 45.5 fish per hour of electrofishing was up from 2012 (86.2). Average length was 14.1 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2011 through 2021 were represented. Northern Pike abundance of 9.4 per gillnet lift was down from 2012 (12.7) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 19.1 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Bluegill abundance of 15 per trapnet lift was up from 2012 (9.2) and was average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 6.1 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2016 to 2020 were represented. Black Crappie abundance of 3.6 per lift was up from 2012 (1.0) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 7.6 inches but not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth. All year-classes from 2013 to 2021 were represented. Yellow Perch abundance of 5.1 per gillnet lift was down from 2012 (7.8) and below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 7.5 inches and growth was average compared other Duluth Area lakes. Other fish species sampled include Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Rock Bass, White Sucker, Hybrid Sunfish and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

Park Lake is a 376 acre lake located near Mahtowa, Minnesota with 100% littoral area and a maximum depth of 16 feet. Park Lake is accessible on the southeastern corner of the lake off county road 7. Park Lake is primarily managed for walleye and largemouth bass. More than 54,000 walleye fingerlings and 1,000 yearlings were stocked between 1990 and 2012. Park was last assessed in 2004. Park was assessed in 2012 to help evaluate the walleye fingerling stocking program as well as update information on other fish populations. Walleye fingerlings are stocked into Park Lake at a rate of one pound per littoral acre (376 pounds) during even years. Walleye abundance of 0.8 per gillnet lift was down from 2004 (1.1) and below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye gillnet CPUE from six investigations since 1979 have ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 per lift. Not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. All of the walleye sampled (7) were aged to years that walleye were stocked. Despite stocking numerous year-classes since 1990, the success of the biennial fingerling stocking program appears limited. A total of 47 largemouth bass were sampled by electrofishing. The largemouth bass catch rate of 86.2 fish per hour of electrofishing was up from 2004 (19.6). Largemouth bass average length was 12.9 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2001 through 2010 were represented except 2008. Northern pike abundance of 12.7 per gillnet lift was down from 2004 (13.2) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 18.9 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2003 to 2011 were represented, except 2004. Bluegill abundance of 9.2 per trapnet lift was down slightly from 2004 (9.4) and was average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of sampled bluegills was 6.8 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2003 to 2011 were represented, except 2008. Black crappie abundance of 1.0 per lift was up slightly from 2004 (0.9) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 6.5 inches but not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth. All year-classes from 2003 to 2011 were represented, except 2006 and 2008. Yellow perch abundance of 29.2 per gillnet lift was down from 2006 (120.2) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 6.1 inches and growth was average compared other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2002 through 2008 were represented. Other fish species sampled include black, brown and yellow bullhead, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, central mudminnow, bluntnose minnow, fathead minnow, rock bass, white sucker, hybrid sunfish and pumpkinseed sunfish. Park Lake was included in an index of biotic integrity (IBI) assessment in 2012. In addition to standard gillnets and trapnets, beach seines and backpack electrofishing equipment were used to index species richness of the nearshore lake habitat.

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

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

Park has a maximum depth of 16 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 Park is from 2022.

No invasive species are on record for Park in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.