Little Webb

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Webb Lake was conducted on August 21-22, 2023, 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 nine sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due soft sediments and vegetation. 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 two stations. Nearshore sampling captured seventeen species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and zero that are tolerant of disturbance. 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 nine species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill comprised a majority of the biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2022 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., Black Bullhead and 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 Little Webb 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Webb Lake was conducted on July 6, 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 or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 9 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations, a 15-foot seine was used at four sites, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one species tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2022 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, and 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. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Little Webb Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use 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.

Little Webb Lake is a 226-acre lake with 68 littoral acres, 3.20 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 37 feet located northeast of Hackensack, MN. There is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access on the east shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Little Webb Lake is in lake class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear, moderately productive, and moderately deep. Other area lakes in lake class 31 include Child, Widow, and Five Point Lakes. Both Black Crappie and Bluegill abundances were within management goals and provide quality angling opportunities. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 11 inches with an average length and weight of 6 inches and 0.18 pounds. Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to 9 inches with and average length and weight of 7 inches and 0.3 pounds. A special regulation (daily possession limit of five fish) was implemented in 2017 for both Black Crappie and Bluegill and average lengths for both species have steadily increased since, including historical highs observed for both in 2021. 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 Little Webb 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, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Perch in Little Webb. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Webb has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Webb is from 2023.

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