Pavelgrit

An assessment of the fish community in Pavelgrit Lake was conducted in early July 2008. A reclamation is planned for Pavelgrit Lake in October 2009 to eliminate fish from this small lake. Nearby Snowshoe (Little Andrus) Lake, a designated trout lake managed for brook trout will also be reclaimed at the same time. Pavelgrit is a likely source of the yellow perch that became established in nearby Snowshoe Lake prior to 2002. The yellow perch have reduced the abundance of brook trout in Snowshoe to about one-half of the pre-perch abundance. The yellow perch have also reduced the quality of the previously excellent brook trout fishery both through angler interference and competition with the brook trout. Eliminating fish from Pavelgrit Lake will remove one potential source of introductions of undesireable fish for Snowshoe Lake. Only two fish species, golden shiner and yellow perch, were captured in the survey. Some yellow perch were fairly large; around 11 to 12 inches long, but most were around 5 and 6 inches in length. Small-bodied fish species are not effectively sampled with the standard survey nets used in this assessment, so other small-bodied species may be present. A visual survey of shallow water was done to look for other small fishes, but none were observed. Dissolved oxygen >1 ppm was found down to about 13 ft, but below 9 ft dissolved oxygen was < 4 ppm. The initial survey of Pavelgrit Lake was done in 1956. Northern pike were the only species collected, although no capture of small fish species was attempted. The next survey was conducted in 1981 as an evaluation of the lakes susceptibility to acid deposition. Only golden shiners and yellow perch were captured. Golden shiner, fathead minnow, northern redbelly dace, and yellow perch were caught in the 1984 and 1987 surveys. Pavelgrit Lake has fairly soft water with reported alkalinities between 2 and 15 ppm.

Special Problems: Acid rain potential.Additional Field Notes: Observed 3 snapping turtles caught in trapnets, carapace sizes were 8,9 and 15 inches. No waterfowl or loons observed. Two vacant beaver lodges, some beaver activity coming from Snowshoe Lake.Present Fish Population Status: Golden shiner and yellow perch were the only species present in the trapnets or gillnets. Yellow perch abundance is very high, exceeding the third quartile of the local median for morphological lakes similiar to Pavelgrit. Abundance levels of yellow perch are similar to the 1984 netting but lower than the 1981 netting when 155.5/gillnet were caught. Growth rate of yellow perch is average. Reproduction checks with a seine indicated good populations of yellow perch, golden shiners,fathead minnows and northern redbelly daces.

Special Problems: Potential acid rain problems and winter kill lake.Additional Field Notes: Observed 1 adult loon, beaver activity, caught snapping turtles with 8,9,12 and 13 inch carapaces.Present Fish Population Status: Yellow perch abundance is very high with all sizes present. The average size of yellow perch has increased since 1981. Golden shiners were very abundant in the seine hauls.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch in Pavelgrit. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Pavelgrit. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Pavelgrit has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pavelgrit is from 2008. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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