Gust

Gust is a small, shallow lake with a few cabins on its shore, and limited public access. It has not been subject to much active fisheries management. Sometime between 1996 and 2006 Smallmouth Bass found their way (or were introduced) into the lake; by 2006, when they first appeared in a lake survey, their numbers seemed to have been high. This was the second of two surveys scheduled in the 2007 lake management plan (LMP) to determine what effects Smallmouth Bass have had on the fish community in this lake. Walleye were fairly abundant in Gust Lake in 2016, and, while few large fish were present, many were available in the 14 to 20-inch size range. The 2016 Walleye gill net catch was similar to catches seen in several surveys done prior to the entry of Smallmouth Bass. The Walleye gill net catch, and the mean weight for Walleye taken in gill nets, were both about average for a lake of this type. Long range goals for Walleye from the 2007 LMP were met in 2016; the gill net catch exceeded 5.0 fish/net, and some Walleye larger than 20 inches were sampled. Although trap nets are usually not considered a targeting gear for Walleye, the trap net catch in 2016 was very high for a lake of this type, suggesting Walleye may have been more abundant than the gill net catch might have indicated. Walleye taken (in all gears) in 2016 ranged in length from 8.9 to 22.2 inches, with most in the 14-20-inch range. Many year classes, all naturally produced, contributed to the 2016 catch, which included fish as old as 16 years. The 2015 and 2013 year classes appeared to have been relatively strong. Growth of young Walleye had been about average for the area; three-year-old fish reached an average length of 12.3 inches by the end of their third year, compared to an area average of 12.0 inches. Growth of older fish had not been as good, but was still close to average for this area. Seven-year-old fish reached an average length of 17.6 inches by the end of their seventh year. Gill net and trap net catches are not reliable indicators of Smallmouth Bass abundance. In 2016 both catches in Gust Lake were above average for this type of lake, while the 2016 gill net catch was the lowest seen in the three surveys done since Smallmouth Bass appeared in the lake. Smallmouth Bass collected in 2016 (in all gears) ranged in length from 6.3 to 20.0 inches. Four year classes contributed to the 2016 catch, with none standing out as particularly strong. Surveys in 2006, 2011, and 2016 provided some weak indications of possible changes in the large-fish fish community in Gust Lake. Northern Pike gill net catches in all three surveys were low compared to most pre-bass surveys, with just a single fish each taken in 2011 and 2016. White Sucker gill net catches were also low for this lake historically, and for a lake of this type. On the other hand, there appeared to have been little change in Walleye and Yellow Perch numbers. Changes in the nearshore fish community were harder to identify, since we have little pre-bass data available. Seining done at three sites in 1960, and sampling in 1996 using 0.25-in-mesh trap nets, collected about the same number of species, and the same species, as nearshore fish sampling done using seines, backpack electofishers, or 0.25-in-mesh trap nets in 2006, 2011, and 2016. The limited data available suggests there's been no change in diversity of the nearshore fish community since Smallmouth Bass became established, and that no species seem to have been lost.

The 2011 walleye gill net catch, while lower than catches observed in the previous four assessments of this lake, remained above average for the lake class, and was similar to catches seen in this lake in the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. Several year classes, all naturally produced, contributed to the catch, with fairly strong year classes produced in 2008 and 2007. No young-of-year (YOY) walleye were taken in quarter-inch mesh trap nets, suggesting that the 2011 year class may be weak. Overall walleye growth appeared to have been average; three-year-old fish reached an average length of 12.2 inches by the end of their third year. The northern pike gill net catch in 2011 tied with the 1996 catch for the lowest seen in this lake. Northern pike catches have been below average for this lake since 1996. Smallmouth bass remained abundant in 2011, with a gill net catch that exceeded the normal range for the lake class by a wide margin. Smallmouth bass were first collected in this lake in 2006; however, they had clearly been well established for some time prior to that date. Several year classes contributed to the 2011 catch, with the strongest apparently produced in 2007. Growth rates had been fast, with four-year-old fish reaching an average length of 12.3 inches by the end of their fourth year. Although the 2011 yellow perch gill net catch was below the normal range for the lake class, it was similar to catches observed in this lake since 1991. Many of the yellow perch collected would have been large enough to have contributed to the sport fishery, and they probably provided adequate forage for walleye and northern pike populations. Sampling of the nearshore fish community was done using quarter-in-mesh trap nets, a 15-ft, eighth-in-mesh beach seine, and backpack electrofishing gear. Prior to sampling done in 2011, Gust Lake was known to support yellow perch, white sucker, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, blacknose shiner, and darters. Sampling in 2011 added northern redbelly dace, Iowa darter, and central mudminnow to that list.

Walleye were abundant in Gust Lake in 2006, and while most were small (under 15 inches), fish as large as 28 inches were collected. All walleye taken in this lake in 2006 had been produced naturally; the lake had not been stocked since 1988. The northern pike catch was low, and the fish taken were small. Smallmouth bass were collected by DNR crews for the first time in this lake in 2006, although they had clearly been present for many years. The catch included many fish larger than 12 inches. Largemouth bass were also present, but in very low numbers. The yellow perch catch in 2006 was not high; however, many of the perch taken were over 10 inches in length.

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

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

Gust has a maximum depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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