Girl

Girl Lake is a 428-acre lake with 9.4 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 81 feet located in Longville, MN. A city owned public access is located on the east shore. The MNDNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Moccasin Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in this class are medium sized, moderately deep, irregularly shaped, and clear. Other Class 25 lakes in the Walker area include Birch (DOW# 11-0143), Blackwater (DOW# 11-0274), Inguadona (DOW# 11-0120), and Long (DOW# 11-0142). The lake is primarily managed for Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch and secondarily for Muskellunge and Tullibee (Cisco). A 24 to 36 inch protected slot regulation on Northern Pike was implemented in 2003 with the objective of increasing the percentage of northern pike 24 inches or longer in the Woman Lake chain (Child, Girl, Little Woman, and Woman lakes). The purpose of this survey was to evaluate Walleye stocking and the status of Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch populations. Northern Pike are abundant in Girl Lake and near the upper management goal. Northern Pike ranged in length from 13 to 35 inches with an average length of 20 inches. Walleye abundance below the minimum management goal of four fish per gill net however, within historic ranges. Walleye ranged in length from 13 to 27 inches with an average length of 19.0 inches. Yellow Perch numbers were below the minimum management goal of five fish per gill net and have remained low since 2016. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 11 inches with and average length of 9.0 inches. Bluegill averaged 6 inches long and ranged from 4 to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 7 to 18 inches with an average length of 11 inches. Other species sampled were Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and White Sucker. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently the aquatic invasive species (AIS) identified in Girl Lake are Zebra Mussels, Rusty Crayfish, Purple Loosestrife, Curly-leaf Pondweed, and Eurasian Watermilfoil. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Girl Lake on August 14th, 2023 to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 16 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 27.3 feet, which was below the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.3°C (48.7°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C for Cisco indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for these species. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for these species was available across a range of depths at the time of sampling. Data collected in 1992, 1997, 2002, 2004, and 2007 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are not squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore do not experience higher levels of stress.

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Girl Lake on August 14th, 2023 to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 16 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 27.3 feet, which was below the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.3°C (48.7°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C for Cisco indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for these species. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for these species was available across a range of depths at the time of sampling. Data collected in 1992, 1997, 2002, 2004, and 2007 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are not squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore do not experience higher levels of stress.

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

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

Girl has a maximum depth of 81 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Girl is from 2024.

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