Margaret

Margaret Lake is a 222-acre lake near the city of Nisswa in Cass County. It is part of the Gull Lake Chain of Lakes, with access possible through a navigable channel connection from Upper Gull. Northern Pike is the primary management species and a special regulation is used to achieve our management objective on the chain of lakes. The special regulation requires the immediate release of all Northern Pike between 30 and 40 inches, with a possession limit of two and only one allowed over 40 inches. A standard survey using gill nets and trap nets was conducted in June 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information. Northern Pike numbers met our management goal (8.8 per net), with fish up to 37 inches captured. Anglers should have good opportunities to harvest fish with 96% of the fish below the 30 to 40 inch protected slot. Releasing larger pike is encouraged, however, to help create more opportunities for trophy fish. Panfish numbers were down a bit from previous surveys. While anglers can still expect to catch Bluegill or Black Crappie, size was lacking. Only 22% of the Bluegill were 7 inches or larger. While Crappies faired a little better for those looking to get a meal, with 47% measuring 8 inches or larger, don't expect a trophy. Only 12% of the Black Crappie were 9 inches or larger and only two over 10 inches have been caught in the last four surveys. Walleyes aren't stocked into Margaret, but they seem to show up in every survey in low numbers; 1.2 per net in 2025. Most of the fish were large, with 71% over 20 inches. With fish up to 27.1 inches sampled, Margaret shows potential for trophy Walleyes. Yellow Perch numbers have been rising (17.0 per net in 2025), but with a maximum length of 8.2 inches, they won't be of much interest to anglers. Yellow Perch and Tullibee (Cisco), which were caught in low numbers (1.3 per net), are an important prey species for gamefish. Other species sampled included Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Greater Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

A targeted survey was conducted on Margaret Lake August 8, 2019 by Fisheries Lake Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) program staff. Sampling methods targeted nearshore, small-bodied fish and included seining and backpack electrofishing. Ten sampling stations 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 all ten stations, but four stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. A 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station and soft substrates and dense emergent vegetation prevented the use of seines at four sites. Nearshore sampling captured 17 native species of fish including one species intolerant of habitat disturbance (Mimic Shiner) and one species tolerant of habitat disturbance (Green Sunfish). Margaret Lake is connected to a large complex of lakes including Gull Lake, it is common for chains of connected lakes to have a high diversity of species, particularly when there are diverse habitats available. The nearshore data are combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2019 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., Mimic Shiner, Least Darter, and Cisco), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish, 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. Data from this survey indicates Margaret Lake is in good health as indicated by a FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the first community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Margaret Lake is a 248 acre lake located near the city of Lakeshore in southern Cass County. Margaret is part of the Gull Chain of Lakes. The maximum depth is 26', with 26% of the lake 15' deep or less. Northern pike were sampled in average numbers at 8.3/gill net when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 21.1", with 20% of the catch in the protected 22"-26" slot. Northern pike over 26.0" in length made up 16% of the catch. Lakes in this part of the state have a new northern pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Black crappies were sampled in average numbers in gill nets at 2.5/net. Average length was 6.5". Trap nets sampled black crappies in below average numbers at 0.6/net. Average length was 9.0". For both gears combined, 40% were at least 8.0" in length. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 29.8/trap net. Average length was 5.8", with 19% at least 7.0" in length. Walleyes are not stocked into Margaret, but are stocked into connected Gull Lake. The walleye gill net catch was average at 1.5/net, when compared to similar lakes. Average size was nice at 20.7". Margaret Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested waters because of zebra mussels. Lake users should 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 Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass in Margaret. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Margaret has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Margaret is from 2025.

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