Hand

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Hand Lake was conducted on August 22, 2022, by DNR 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 eight sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mottled Sculpin, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff on August 22-24, 2022. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 10 species of fish, including one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bowfin, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a 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., Blacknose Shiner, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., 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. A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Hand Lake on August 22nd, 2022, 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 16.4 feet, which was within 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 19.7°C (68.0°F). TDO3 values near 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are marginal for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations near the thermocline indicate that oxythermal habitat was adequate for Cisco at limited depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2022. However, low dissolved oxygen concentrations (less than 3 mg/L) below the thermocline and warm surface temperatures would likely limit available Cisco habitat within the water column to an extent. Data collected in 1990 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat at that time. When adequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are not squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore do not experience higher levels of stress. Results from the FIBI survey indicate that the warmwater fish community in Hand Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that is near the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Pine River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Hand Lake was conducted on July 24, 2019 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 all ten sampling stations, but two stations were 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 two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mottled Sculpin, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., 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. Data from this survey indicates Hand Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well 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 fish community to the Pine River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Hand Lake is a 269-acre lake, 140 of which are littoral (less than 15 feet deep) with 5.83 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 57 feet. Hand Lake located 11 miles north east of Backus and 15 miles south west of Longville, MN. A DNR owned public access is located in the south western bay. Hand Lake has a small outlet stream that flows into Lake Ada. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Hand Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in this class are generally deep, clear lakes that have irregular shorelines with many bays and points. Other area lakes in this class include Hattie, Birch, Long (by Longville), Blackwater and Girl. The lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Walleye and Tullibee (Cisco). Northern Pike are abundant in Hand Lake and size quality is generally low with most fish being 16 to 21 inches; however, some quality size Northern Pike up to 36 inches were sampled. Anglers are encouraged to harvest the abundant Northern Pike less than 22 inches. Largemouth Bass are moderately abundant, and fish sampled in 2019 ranged from 8 to 17 inches long. Black Crappie are present with fish up to 12 inches sampled. Bluegill are abundant with quality-sized fish present. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches with 56 percent of the sample measuring 7 inches or greater in length. Walleye management was discontinued in 2014 due to poor returns from stocking efforts. Walleye continue to be present in low numbers with only one 28 inch fish was sampled in 2019. Tullibee (Cisco) are present with fish up to 19 inches observed. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed and Rock Bass. 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. In July of 2019 adult Zebra Mussels were discovered on a boat docked on Hand Lake. Extra caution should be used when leaving this lake for other waters. 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.

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

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

Hand has a maximum depth of 57 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hand is from 2022.

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