Leavitt

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Leavitt Lake was conducted on July 5-6, 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 seine. Nearshore sampling captured fourteen species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Northern Sunfish) and zero that are tolerant of disturbance. 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 eight species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). Bowfin and Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by biomass, but overall catches were very light. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from the week of June 13, 2022 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, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead 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. IBI Program staff also conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on September 26, 2023, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 30 survey sites evenly spaced 200 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 70.8 (+/- 4.0) out of 100 possible. A score of 70.8 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is moderate overall. Approximately 73 percent of the sites were developed, with a mean score of 63.9 (+/- 4.6) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is poor, while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 90.0 (+/- 2.2) with high habitat quality. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Leavitt Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Pine River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Leavitt Lake is a 121 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 60', near the town of Outing, MN. Leavitt is in the Pine River Watershed. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey took place July 18, 2022, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was not used and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at 6 stations. Thirteen species were sampled, including five species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Least Darter, Northern Sunfish, and Rock Bass. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted the week of June 13th, 2022, to calculate a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake.

Leavitt Lake is a 130 acre lake located one mile northeast of Outing. There is a public access on the southwest corner of the lake. The water has a brown tint bog stain color with a Secchi disc reading of 5.0'. Leavitt is a long narrow lake with sharp drop-offs along much of the shoreline. Black Crappies were sampled in average numbers, when compared to similar lakes, at 2.7/gill net, and high numbers in trap nets (6.2/net). They ran a little bit on the smaller side with an average length of 6.8" in gill nets and 7.0" in trap nets. For both gears combined 18% were at least 8.0" in length. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 10.3/net. Average length was 6.3", with 45% at least 7.0" in length. Largemouth Bass were sampled by a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 29.0/hr run time. Average length was 12.8", with 62% at least 12.0" in length. Northern Pike were sampled in low numbers at 1.3/gill net. Average length was 18.9", with 25% in the protected 22"-26" slot. The largest Northern Pike sampled was 23.3". Three Walleyes were captured in gill nets and ranged from 14.7"-18.7" in length. Walleyes were also sampled by the spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 19.0/hr run time. Average length was 8.9" with fish ranging from 5.2"-15.2". All Walleyes are from natural reproduction or were stocked fish that migrated upstream from Roosevelt. One 42.5" Muskie was sampled in the spring electrofishing survey. Muskies are stocked into nearby Roosevelt Lake which is downstream of Leavitt. No invasive species have been discovered in Leavitt, but they are in the area. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers, as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

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

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

Leavitt has a maximum depth of 60 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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