Merganser

Merganser is a small, shallow lake supporting a simple fish community. It is connected to Northern Light Lake by its outlet channel, and there are no permanent barriers to movement of fish between the lakes. Merganser Lake was last assessed in 1978. Net catches for all species in 2012 were roughly similar to catches seen in this lake in 1976 and 1978, and there was apparently little or no change in the composition of the fish community. The 2012 assessment was the first to use a gear (0.25-in-mesh trap nets) capable of sampling small fish, and added blacknose shiner and central mudminnow to the list of species known to be present in this lake. The northern pike gill net catch was within the normal range for a lake of this class; however, northern pike collected in gill nets in 2012 were unusually large, both for a lake of this class, and compared to fish taken in the 1970s in this lake. Several age classes, all naturally produced, were represented in the 2012 catch. Northern pike growth had been about average for the area; fish reached an average length of 23.8 inches by the end of their fifth year. The yellow perch gill net catch was also within the normal range for the lake class. From the length frequency distribution it was apparent that several year classes contributed to the 2012 catch. There were enough larger perch present to provide some sport fishing opportunity. Pumpkinseed were present, but probably not abundant. A few may have been large enough to have been of some interest to anglers, but it was unlikely that their numbers were high enough to provide good fishing.

Merganser Lake has a good population of N Pike with a few Perch and Pumpkinseeds present. No Suckers were taken even though an outlet connects to Northern Light Lake which has a large Sucker population.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed in Merganser. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Merganser has a maximum depth of 3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Merganser is from 2011. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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