Camp

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Camp Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff from 19-20 July 2023. Fourteen sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 sites with 4 sites sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample four sites, a 15-foot seine was used at six sites, and dense vegetation or deep soft sediments prevented seining at 4 sites. Nearshore sampling captured 20 native species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass) and one species (Green Sunfish) that is tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2021 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, 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. An additional survey was completed on Camp Lake in July 2020 resulting in a similar FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates the fish community in Camp Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Camp Lake is fully supporting for aquatic life use. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to Rum River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Camp Lake is a 519 acre lake located in southeast Crow Wing County. The maximum depth is 42 feet. Northern Pike is the primary management species, which were sampled in above average numbers (8.7/gill net) for this type of lake. The average length of these fish was 21.7" with fish up to 32" sampled. Only 19% of the fish were in the 22-26" protected slot, leaving ample opportunity for harvest. While both Bluegills (6.8/trap net) and Black Crappies (1.4/trap net) were caught in average numbers, some nice size fish are present and could offer the opportunity for a meal. For Bluegills, 46% of the fish were 7" or larger. Black Crappies showed 50% of the fish measured 8" or larger. Largemouth Bass are present but were not sampled by night electrofishing this survey. Some bass were sampled in the survey nets, with sizes ranging from 7.2" to 17.9".

Camp Lake is about 530 acres with a maximum depth of 42 feet; about 40% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Residential development is evident along much of the shoreline but natural vegetation remains in areas. Substantial sections of shoreline have stands of dense bulrush, wild rice, water lilies, and other aquatic vegetation. There are also areas with woody habitat along the shoreline. A survey targeting the near shore fish community was conducted on Camp Lake on 7 July, 2014. Sampling sites were 100 feet long and 14 stations were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Electrofishing with a backpack unit was conducted at all 14 stations, but some sampling took place from the boat at sites where depth and emergent vegetation prevented wading. Seining was conducted at 10 sites as emergent vegetation, soft sediments, and deep water prevented seining at 4 sites. Nearshore IBI sampling captured the following species of fish: (in alphabetical order) Banded Killifish, Black Crappie, Blacknose Shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Mottled Sculpin, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. The survey captured several species that are intolerant of poor water quality and/or shoreline disturbance including: Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass. Only two tolerant species (Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish) were sampled in nearshore sampling. The nearshore fish sampling data is combined with gillnet and trapnet data to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. The fish IBI score calculated from this survey suggests that Camp Lake's fish community has not been degraded by excess watershed or shoreline stress to an extent such that it is below an impairment threshold identified for similar lakes in the state. This sampling protocol is part of a watershed assessment tool in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Camp Lake is located in the Rum River Watershed. This survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Rock Bass in Camp. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Camp has a maximum depth of 42 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Camp is from 2021.

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