Lower Sucker

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lower Sucker Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Reservation, was conducted on July 1-3, 2024, 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 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at seven stations. Two stations were not seined due to dense aquatic vegetation and soft substrate. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Mimic Shiner) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured ten species of fish but none that are intolerant of disturbance. Yellow Perch comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bowfin and White Sucker comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2021 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., Fathead Minnow and Black Bullhead). 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. You can help protect the fish community in Lower Sucker Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Lower Sucker Lake (DOW# 11-0313; Lake Class 27) is a 592-acre lake with 301 littoral acres located southeast of Cass Lake, MN. There is a US Forest Service owned public access on the southeast shore. Lower Sucker Lake has 4.0 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 35 feet. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Lower Sucker Lake is in Lake Class 27; lakes in this class are small shallow lakes. Most of the lake shore and surrounding upland is undeveloped and within the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Reservation. Other Walker Area Lakes 27 lakes include Crooked (DOW# 11-0494). Thirteen (DOW# 11-0488), and Webb (DOW# 11-0311). The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch and secondarily for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Walleye. The lake was initially surveyed in 1949 and 10 resurveys, population assessments or natural reproduction checks have occurred since then. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. A total of 14 sampling stations 100 feet long were evenly spaced around the lakeshore and sampled by backpack electrofishing, and when conditions allowed also with either a 15' or 50' seine (1/8th inch mesh). Soft bottom and heavy vegetation prevented the use of seines at eight sampling sites. A total of 11 species were sampled, including two species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance (Banded Killifish and Iowa Darter). This nearshore survey will be combined with standard survey assessment data to calculate a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake. The FIBI Tool-2 was used for scoring and resulted in an FIBI score of 45, which is at the impairment threshold (45) and below the exceptional threshold (64) for this tool.

Lower Sucker Lake (DOW 11-313) is a 592-acre lake located eight miles southeast of Cass Lake, MN that has 4.0 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 35 feet. There is a US Forest Service owned public access on the southeast shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Lower Sucker Lake is in Lake Class 27; lakes in this class are small shallow lakes. Most of the lake shore and surrounding upland is undeveloped and within the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Reservation. Shoreline development is restricted to the south shore. Other Walker Area Lakes 27 lakes include Crooked, Thirteen, and Webb. The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch and secondarily for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Walleye. Special Regulations on the Sucker chain of lakes include 5 fish daily limits for Sunfish and Black Crappie; statewide possession limits of 20 and 10, respectively, remain in place. The regulations are intended to maintain the existing size quality and more information can be found at (Quality Sunfish Initiative). Black Crappie abundance was low and the catch did not meet the management goal. Black Crappie had an average length of 12 inches with fish from 10 to 14 inches long sampled. Northern Pike numbers were moderate not meeting the management goal. Sampled Northern Pike lengths ranged from 12 to 28 inches. Yellow Perch numbers were very high compared to similar lakes and exceeded the management goal. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5 to 9 inches. Yellow Perch offer excellent forage for larger fish in this lake, but few fish are large enough to interest anglers. Bluegill abundance was low with lengths ranging from 2 to 9 inches. The Bluegill catch did not meet the management goal. Largemouth Bass were sampled in low numbers in this survey as has been the case in past surveys. Walleye were sampled at their highest levels yet in this survey exceeding the management goal. Walleye lengths ranged from 7 to 26 inches. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include, Bowfin (Dogfish), Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, 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 Lower Sucker 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 Walleye, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, and Bluegill in Lower Sucker. 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 Lower Sucker. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Lower Sucker has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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