Bavaria

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Bavaria Lake on September 3rd, 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 26 survey sites evenly spaced 150 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 64.3 (+/- 5.2) out of 100 possible. A score of 64.3 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Poor (50-65.9). Approximately 69 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 50.6 (+/- 4.7) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 95.0 (+/- 2.1) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Bavaria Lake was conducted on June 20th - 21st 2023, 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 ten sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured thirteen species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter) and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Common Carp, Green Sunfish, and Fathead Minnow). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured nine species of fish, including three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number and by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2023 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 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 Bavaria 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 survey findings, which indicated that Bavaria Lake was impaired for aquatic life use based on the Fish IBI. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Lower Minnesota River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Bavaria Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff from 29-30 August 2022. Ten 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 ten sites with two sites sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample eight sites and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at two sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 11 native species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (Iowa Darter) and one species (Green Sunfish) that is tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with gill net and trap 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicate the fish community of Bavaria Lake is affected by disturbance as indicated by an FIBI score equal to the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Lower Minnesota River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. During the previous assessment, Bavaria Lake was listed as impaired for Aquatic Life Use based on the low FIBI score and several stressors were identified as likely impacting the fish community: excess nutrients, riparian lakeshore development, and non-native species.

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

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

Bavaria has a maximum depth of 66 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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