Widow

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Widow Lake was conducted on June 21-23, 2022 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, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Rock Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Bluegill, Bowfin, and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 31 lakes and the average length was 6.8 inches, with 42% over 7 inches. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from an August 2020 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 Widow Lake is healthy as indicated by an 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 Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Widow Lake was conducted on July 7, 2021, 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 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Rock Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2020 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, Least 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. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Widow 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 Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Widow (Rice) (DOW# 11-0273; Lake Class 31) is a 198-acre lake with 2.98 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 46 feet located south-west of Longville, MN. There is a DNR-owned public access on the south end of the lake off Cass County Road 46. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Widow Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear, productive, and have moderate depth. Nearby lakes in the same lake class are Child, Five Point, and Sanborn. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie. Secondary management species include Northern Pike, Bluegill, Walleye and Yellow Perch. Largemouth Bass were abundant in Widow Lake in 2020 with over five fish per gill net, the highest catch observed in this lake. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 4 to 18 inches with an average of 11 inches. Goals for Largemouth Bass are assessed using spring electro-fishing which was not conducted in 2020. Black Crappie were very abundant with over 28 fish per gill net, the highest catch observed to date and nearly three times the next highest gill net catch. The long term management goal of two crappie per trap net was not met in this survey. Black Crappie ranged in length from 5 to 12 inches with an average length of 9 inches. Moderate numbers of Northern Pike were caught during this survey with six fish per gillnet sampled meeting the management goal of 5 to 8 fish per gill net. Northern Pike had a length range of 11 to 33 inches, with an average of 19 inches and two pounds. Bluegill were caught at moderate levels at eight fish per trap net, which was below the management goal of 20-40 fish per trap net. Bluegill had an average length of 5.7 inches and a range of 3 to 8 inches. Walleye abundance was slightly above the management goal of two fish per gillnet. This catch is an increase over the last survey in 2013. Walleye in 2020 ranged in length from 12 to 28 inches with an average length of 17 inches. Over a quarter of the catch was greater than 20 inches. Walleye are stocked as fingerlings in odd numbered years. Yellow Perch were caught at rate of less than one fish per gillnet below the management goal of at least 10 fish per net. Other fish species sampled include, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bowfin (Dogfish) and Yellow Perch. 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, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Widow Lake. 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 Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, and Bluegill in Widow. 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 Widow. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Widow has a maximum depth of 46 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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