Platte

Spring trap netting was performed June 9-13 to evaluate Bluegill size structure and the effects of a 10 fish bag limit on sunfish that was implemented in March 2016. Spring trap netting in 2025 caught 345 Bluegill, all were measured except three fish. In previous years, sample size ranged from 56 to 305 fish caught, the lowest catch (n=56) occurred in 2023 and was most likely due to the 2022-2023 winterkill event. In 2025, size ranging from 3.0 to 9.4 inches with a mean length of 5.2 inches. The rapid increase in sample size could be contributed to the rapid rebound from the winterkill in 2023 and/or the 10 fish bag limit that was implemented. There were several sizes of Bluegill present including spawning size adults. In 2025 spring trap nets, Black Crappie catches can vary with sampling conditions and may not reflect actual changes. The catches in previous years ranged from 27 to 54 fish, with 27 fish caught in 2023. In 2025, there were 108 crappies caught ranging from 3.8 to 12.2 inches and a mean length of 7.9 inches. Crappies are not as sensitive to the winterkill events and less impacted than Bluegill. Black Crappies most likely increased in size structure due to less interspecific competition. No otoliths were taken in 2025, but in 2023 otoliths showed that crappie growth was slow compared to most area lakes with Age 5 fish averaged less than 9 inches. Northern Pike and Walleye were also observed in 2025 Spring trap nets. Thirty-nine Northern Pike ranging from 12.0 to 29.2 inches with a mean length of 18.8 inches were captured. There were also 7 Walleye caught ranging in size from 13.8 to 26.8 inches and a mean length of 21.9 inches. There were 800,000 Walleye fry stocked in 2025 with most odd years also being stocked. Pumpkinseed and Hybrid Sunfish were captured in high amounts with 291 Pumpkinseed and 127 Hybrid Sunfish. The highest number species caught in the trap nets was Yellow Bullhead at 500 sampled. Other species present were Bowfin, Common Carp, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch.

Spring Trap netting was performed June 5-7 to provide data on the Bluegill size structure and evaluate effects of a 10 fish bag limit on sunfish which was implemented on March 1, 2016. This assessment was also used to examine the impacts of winterkill which occurred during the winter of 2022-23. Spring trap netting in 2023 captured only 56 Bluegill all of which were measured. Spring sample sizes in the past ranged from 236-305 fish. The low catch in 2023 likely indicates a population decline induced by winterkill conditions. The small sample size makes it inappropriate to compare size structure data to past spring trap net assessments or to assess progress towards management goals. Bluegill in 2023 ranged from 4.4 to 8.7 inches and mean length was 6.7 inches. Several sizes of Bluegill were present including spawning size adults. The broad connection with Sullivan Lake also allows easy immigration suggesting the Bluegill population has the strong likelihood of a rapid rebound. The remaining Bluegill may also display improved growth rates due to less competition. Black Crappie spring trap net catches can vary considerably due to sampling conditions and may not reflect actual changes in abundance. Spring trap net catches in the lake have ranged from 27 to 54 fish. A total of 27 crappies were captured in 2023 ranging in size from 5.4 to 12.2 inches, mean length was 8.2 inches. Crappie are not as sensitive to winterkill events and were probably less impacted than Bluegill. Aging from otoliths in 2023 showed that crappie growth was slow compared to most area lakes with Age 5 fish averaging less than 9 inches. Northern Pike are also fairly resistant to winterkill and 47 pike were captured in the 2023 trap nets. Pike ranged from 9.8 to 26 inches long with 26% within the 22-26 inch slot range. Three adult Walleye were observed, however whether they survived the winterkill or migrated from Sullivan Lake is unknown. Walleye fry were stocked in the spring of 2023 to aid in the recovery of the Walleye population.

Platte Lake was surveyed using 12 gill nets on July 6-10, 2020. Species targeted were Walleye, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. Additionally, Bluegill were targeted in June using electrofishing rather than trap nets (standard protocol) due to Covid-19 work precautions. The Northern Pike fishery can be described as one that has increased to a population density above desired levels. Gill net captures in 2020 were at their highest since 1997. There has however been a consistent presence of occasional large pike. Management goals are to maintain a pike population that doesn't get too abundant as this can be problematic to the entire fish community. Platte Lake has the potential to produce large (greater than 34 inches) pike but at this time, the proportion of large fish is lower than we'd like to see. Anglers choosing to release the largest pike they catch can help contribute to improving the future quality of the pike fishery. Walleyes are sustained in Platte Lake through a combination of stocking and natural reproduction. Abundance has been fairly consistent since 2003, perhaps slightly increasing. At this time, numbers are within management goals but slightly below average compared to other lakes similar to Platte. The most notable aspect of the 2020 survey data pertaining to Walleyes was the proportion of large fish caught (25 inches and larger). This went from zero in 2014 to 19%. In other words, there should be some very large Walleyes available to catch in 2021. Yellow Perch, a primary prey species for pike and Walleye, have declined over the last 20 years in our gill nets and are currently at an all-time low. As often is the case, we see this trend when there is an increase in predator abundance, especially Northern Pike. Pike (especially smaller ones) can out-compete Walleye and are less selective in their prey preference. Large pike however, may not compete as directly with Walleye which is why management objectives strive for low-density pike populations comprised of more large fish than small ones. Platte Lake supports a Bluegill population with good potential to become a high-quality fishery. As such, a special 10-fish bag limit for Bluegill was put into place in 2016. Since then, trap netting and electrofishing have been used to evaluate population size structure. Harvest regulations often take 10 years to achieve intended gains in average Bluegill sizes. At this time, measurable changes are not evident as the proportion of fish over 8 inches remains at about 5%. Evaluations will continue in the future. While fishing for sunfish it is best to limit your harvest of the large individuals, especially the males. Large males exhibit the best growth characteristics and also discourage the behavior of smaller, slower growing males from spawning. Studies show that it's important for sunfish to use their energy for body growth rather than gonadal development at a young age and small size. Male Bluegill can usually be discerned from females by their more pronounced coloration and darker orange breast.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Green Sunfish, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish in Platte. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Platte has a maximum depth of 23 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Platte is from 2020.

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