Man

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Man Lake was conducted on July 5-7, 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 all sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station due to thick submergent and emergent vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Mottled Sculpin, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. A summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff on July 5-6, 2022. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured six species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number and 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., Iowa Darter, Banded Killifish, and Smallmouth Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow). 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 Man Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that meets 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 Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species of Man Lake (DOW# 11-0282; Lake Class 23) was conducted July 23, 2019 by Walker Area Fisheries Staff to aid in determining the Fish-based IBI (FIBI). Ten 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat conditions. Sites where habitat conditions did not allow for seining were backpack electrofished unless conditions proved difficult for walking. These sites were backpack shocked from the boat. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass). The nearshore data was combined with data collected during a gill net and trap net survey conducted the week of June 10, 2019 to calculate a FIBI score for the lake. The FIBI Tool-2 was used for scoring and resulted in an FIBI score of 70, which is above both the impairment threshold (45) and the exceptional threshold (64) for this tool. 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.

Man Lake (DOW# 11-282; lake class 23) is a 491-acre lake with 4.50 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 93 feet located West of Longville, MN. There is no public access on the lake; however anglers using small, low-profile boats may access the lake through the inlet channel from Baby Lake near the Baby Lake public access. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Man Lake is in Lake Class 23; lakes in this class are generally deep and clear. Other area lakes in this class include Jack, Mule, and Ponto. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, and Walleye. Secondary management species include Bluegill, Black Crappie, Tullibee (Cisco), Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass provide quality angling opportunities for both species. Both are moderately abundant and Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 8 to 18 inches while Smallmouth Bass ranged from 8 to 21 inches. Walleye are abundant, exceeding the management goal of five fish per gillnet. Walleye ranged in length from 10 to 30 inches with an average length of 21 inches. Walleye fingerlings are stocked during even years and the 2014 and 2016 year classes are strong. Muskellunge density is low but size quality is high. Just one Muskellunge was sampled in 2019, this fish measured 38 inches long. Previous sampling efforts targeting Muskellunge have sampled fish over 50 inches long in Man Lake. Bluegill and Black Crappie can also provide additional fishing opportunities for anglers. Black Crappie ranged in length from 9 to 13 inches and Bluegill ranged in length from 2 to 9 inches in length. Northern Pike abundance remains stable with quality fish present. Pike ranged in length from 17 to 35 inches with an average length of 24 inches. Tullibee (Cisco) are abundant and ranged in length from 6 to 13 inches.Other fish species sampled include, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, 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, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Man 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 Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike in Man. 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 Man. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Man has a maximum depth of 93 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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