Birch

Birch Lake is a 1,267-acre lake with 15 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 45 feet located in Hackensack, MN. A City of Hackensack) owned public access is located on the east shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Birch Lake is in Lake Class 25. Other area lakes in this class include Boy, Girl, Hand, Inguadona, Long, and Swift Lakes. Birch Lake possesses a highly developed shoreline. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye and secondarily for Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. Walleye abundance did not meet the long-range management for the first time since 2003. Walleye lengths ranged from 11 to 23 inches with a mean length of 19 inches. Northern Pike are abundant, exceeding the maximum management goal in every survey since 2003. Sampled pike ranged in length from 9 to 31 inches with a mean length of 17 inches. Black Crappie were abundant, and lengths ranged from 4 to 13 inches with a mean length of 7 inches. Bluegill abundance was similar to recent surveys but below management goals. Bluegill size exceeded management goals and fish up to 9 inches were sampled. Largemouth ranged in length from 9 to 16 inches with a mean length of 13 inches. Yellow Perch abundance fell to a historic low, well below management goals. Other fish sampled in Birch Lake included, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. 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 Birch 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.

Birch Lake is a 1,267-acre lake located near Hackensack, MN. A city-owned public access is located on the east shore in the city of Hackensack. The lake has 15 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 45 feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Birch Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in the class are generally deep, clear, hard water lakes with irregularly shaped shorelines. Other nearby Class 25 lakes are Big Boy, Hand, Inguadona, and Blackwater. Birch Lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike, and secondarily for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. Angling opportunities include Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike were abundant (15.3 fish per net), with an average length and weight of 18.5 inches and 1.4 pounds. Pike lengths ranged from 10.1 to 33.2 inches. Walleye abundance was moderate (3.2 fish per net), with an average length and weight of 19.3 inches and 2.4 pounds. Walleye ranged in length from 10.9 to 27.7 inches. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked every other year and appear to be contributing to the population. Black Crappie abundance has increased from 1.0 fish per net (2013) to 2.6 fish per net. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 4.3 to 12.2 inches, with an average length of 7.8 inches. Largemouth Bass abundance was 2.0 fish per net. Bass lengths ranged from 4.9 to 16.4 inches, with an average length and weight of 10.2 inches and 0.8 pounds. Bluegill abundance was moderate (10.7 fish per net) and fish were small, ranging in length from 3.2 to 8.9 inches with an average length of 5.8 inches. Few Yellow Perch were sampled and ranged in length from 5.9 to 8.9 inches. Other species sampled were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead. 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 the only aquatic invasive species (AIS) that has been identified in Birch Lake is Purple Loosestrife. 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

An index of biological integrity (IBI) is a score that compares the types and numbers of fish or plants observed in a lake to what is expected for a healthy lake. The Fish IBI score (FIBI) uses fish community data to measure a lake's health. 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, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score 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 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us website. An FIBI score was calculated for Birch Lake of 48, which is above the impairment threshold (45) but below the exceptional threshold (64). Data from this survey indicates Birch Lake is healthy. 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.

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

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

Birch has a maximum depth of 45 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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