Shoe

Shoe Lake is a designated stream trout lake, currently managed for Splake and Brook Trout. This was the last survey done to evaluate Brook Trout stocking; the 2014 lake management plan (LMP) discontinued that stocking after 2016, and none will remain when the next scheduled survey is done (in 2021). Instead of alternating Brook Trout with Splake, stocking after 2016 will consist of annual stocking of Splake fingerlings. The long range goal for that program is to maintain a minimum Splake gill net catch of 10.0 fish/set (a relatively high catch), with a minimum of three year classes present, and some fish reaching 20 inches in length. Splake were selected mainly for their greater longevity, which allows them to reach larger sizes than Brook Trout in this lake. Surveys to evaluate the change in stocking are planned for 2021 and 2026. Splake and Brook Trout were abundant in Shoe Lake in the fall of 2016, and some large fish of both species were present. It seemed very likely that goals for the Splake population could be met with annual stocking, and perhaps even with less frequent stocking. Splake had been stocked only in even-numbered years prior to this survey, but the gill net catch was close to the goal, three year classes were present, and fish larger than 20 inches were caught. Splake as old as six years were taken, indicating good long term survival. Good survival, rather than fast growth, accounted for the larger fish seen in this survey. Splake growth had been slower than average; fish reached a mean length of 13.7 inches by the end of their fourth year, compared to an area average of 15.1 inches. Slow growth may have been caused by overly warm surface waters over the summer, or by high competition for forage resulting from the high number of trout apparently present in 2016. The Brook Trout gill net catch was the highest seen in this lake since 1982, and was near the upper end of the normal range (14.00 fish/set) for catches in fall surveys of stream trout lakes in this area. Stocking done in 2015 and 2013 contributed to the catch, with many three-year-old fish present. Brook Trout growth had also been somewhat slow; on average fish reached a length of 11.9 inches by the end of their third year, compared to an area average of 12.7 inches. It is possible that some fish identified as Brook Trout in this survey were actually Splake, and vice versa. Difficulty in making clear field identifications (even for Fisheries staff) has made it harder to evaluate stocking in this lake, and is one reason Brook Trout stocking will be discontinued. This survey also measured late-summer temperature-oxygen conditions to determine whether they might be limiting to Splake and Brook Trout, and to determine whether a shift to Rainbow Trout stocking might be needed. Splake are believed to have habitat requirements similar to those for Brook Trout. Brook Trout do best when water temperatures are 68 F or less, with at least 5.0 ppm dissolved oxygen. Water temperatures over 68 F are stressful, and prolonged exposure to those higher temperatures can result in slower growth, particularly among larger fish. Exposure to water temperatures over 77 F can be lethal. Measurements in Shoe Lake on August 18 2016 did not find good conditions for Splake or Brook Trout at any depth tested. Deep waters that might have provided cool enough water lacked sufficient dissolved oxygen, while shallower waters were too warm. While not lethal, warm waters observed in 2016 could have resulted in stress responses, including slower growth, among both species. Similarly poor temperature-oxygen conditions were observed in the last two profiles obtained in August (2003 and 2007); however, so far it appears that the strain on Brook Trout and Splake has net been excessive (survival has been high and growth rates have been adequate), so a switch to Rainbow Trout is not yet necessary.

Shoe Lake is a designated stream trout lake, and has been regularly stocked with trout since 1970. It is currently managed for splake and brook trout, with a long range goal of maintaining a minimum gill net catch of 10 fish/set for the two species combined, with some fish over 20 inches present. This was the second of two assessments scheduled in the 2006 lake management plan to evaluate current stocking and determine whether a switch to rainbow trout would be required due to declining water quality. The current plan will be reviewed and revised in March 2014. Trout were abundant in Shoe Lake in 2012, and their average size was good. The combined catch of splake and brook trout in gill nets in 2012 easily met the long range catch goal in the 2006 plan. Splake and brook trout gill net catches were within normal ranges for fall assessments of stream trout lakes in this area (2.75-14.25 fish/set and 1.50-14.00 fish/set, respectively). Mean weights for both species were close to the upper end of, or exceeded, normal ranges for the species. Splake as old as six years were present, but no fish over 20 inches were taken. The catch was apparently dominated by two-year-old splake from the 2010 fingerling stocking. All trout stockings done in 2006-2011 were represented in the catch at some level, but low numbers of one-year-old brook trout collected (a single fish) suggested that the 2011 fingerling stocking may have failed. It's possible that the fairly high number of larger splake present resulted in higher-than-usual losses of stocked fingerlings to predation. Growth of older splake had been slower than average; four-year-old fish reached a mean length of 13.4 inches at the end of their fourth year, compared to an area mean of 15.4 inches. Growth of older brook trout had been closer to average; three-year-old brook trout reached an average length of 12.7 inches at the end of their third year, compared to the area mean of 12.5 inches. There appears to be no need to switch to rainbow trout stocking in this lake, at this time. Survival of stocked brook trout and splake still appears to have been good, and growth rates were acceptable, despite poor temperature-oxygen conditions noted in a mid-August profile obtained in 2007.

Brook trout and splake were fairly abundant in Shoe Lake in the fall of 2004. Splake as large as 17.4 inches, and brook trout as large as 16.4 inches, were collected and most of the trout were larger than 12 inches. Growth rates for both species had been faster than average for this area. As has been the case in past assessments, no undesirable fish species were taken.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout, Splake, and Yellow Perch in Shoe. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Shoe has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Shoe is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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