Perry

After reports of a winterkill during the winter of 2018-19 a survey was conducted on Perry Lake to assess the fish community. Two standard gillnets, three standard trapnets, and two 3/8" trapnets were used. Northern pike had a gillnet CPUE of 5.0. Lengths ranged from 15.6"-24.0". Lakes in this part of the state have a new northern pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Yellow perch had a gillnet CPUE of 10.0, with lengths ranging from 6.0"-8.4". Only one perch was sampled in trapnets. Black bullheads had a gillnet CPUE of 80.0, and ranged from 7.1" to 10.7", with a mean length of 8.0". Black bullheads had a standard trapnet CPUE of 122.0. Mean length was 7.9". The 3/8" trapnets had a black bullhead catch of 355.0/net. Mean length was 6.9". Brown bullheads had a standard trapnet catch of 22.0/net, ranging from 7.7" to 10.6" in length. The 3/8" trapnets had a brown bullhead catch of 97.0/net, with fish ranging from 3.0" to 13.9" in length. Only three brown bullheads were sampled in gillnets. Golden shiners were the only other fish species sampled.

Perry Lake is a 144 acre lake located nine miles north of Crosby in Crow Wing County. Perry is fairly shallow, with 92% 15' deep or less. A public access is located on the east side of the lake. Black crappies are one of the main species targeted by anglers on Perry. Black crappies were captured in high numbers when compared to similar lakes in both trapnets (7.6/net) and gillnets (8.5/net). Average size was 8.4" in trapnets, and 6.9" in gillnets. For both gear types combined, 56% were at least 8" in length. The bluegill catch of 25.3/trapnet was high when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 6.3", with 19% at least 7" in length. Northern pike were sampled in average numbers at 9.0/gillnet. Size was quite nice with an average of 26.0" and 4.1 lbs, with 61% measured at least 24" in length. Northern pike up to 35.2" were sampled. Voluntary catch and release of these larger fish will help maintain a balanced population. The most abundant species in Perry are black bullheads. They were sampled in high numbers in both gillnets (78.0/net) and trapnets (160.7/net). Walleye fry are stocked occasionally into Perry following partial winterkill. None were sampled in this survey, although a few may be present. Dissolved oxygen testing on April 5, 2018 showed fairly low levels (2.3 ppm) below the ice. Further monitoring will determine whether walleye fry stocking will be triggered. To help prevent the spread of invasive species lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers, as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

Northern pike and pumpkinseed net catches exceeded the third quartile of the regional median, thus indications are that an above average population exist. Pounds/lift were also above average. Black bullhead, brown bullhead, bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and walleye net catches fell between the first and third quartile of the regional median, indicating a population which is average for this region. The yellow bullhead net catches were below the first quartile of the region median indicating a low population. Three gillnets were set in June of 1980 and 1986. Five gillnets were set in July of 1967. Northern pike abundance in 1986 is comparable to the 1967 netting, but significantly lower than the 1980 netting. The yellow perch population in 1986 is comparable to the netting and significantly higher than the 1980 netting. Walleye net catches in 1986 is comparable to the 1980 netting but significantly higher than the 1967 netting. Northern pike age classes 1-7 were present in the nets with age class 2 being the dominate group present. Age classes 4 and 6 exhibited an average growth rate while the other age classes had above average growth rates when compared to the statewide growth rate averages. The length frequency range was from 15.2-39.3 inches, with the median length being in the 21' group and weighing approximately 2.4 lbs which is larger than past surveys. Perry Lake, being an occasional winterkill lake, has great fluctuation in fish populations and structure. This is very noticeable in the bullhead populations. Black bullhead went from 14.6/trapnet and 0.0 in gillnets in 1967 to 47.0/trapnet and 7.7 in the gillnets. Yellow and brown bullhead abundance was highest in 1967 and has dropped in the last two surveys. Pumpkinseed in the net catches had a size range of 4.5- 8.4 inches with the median size approximately 7.0 inches. The mean weight was 0.3 lbs. Bluegill net catches in 1986 (18.8/trapnet) has rebounded from the 0.3/trapnet in 1980. The size range in 1986 was 3.5-9.9 inches with a mean weight was 0.3 lbs. Age classes 3-6 were present in the net catches with growth rates being average in all age classes when compared to statewide averages. Largemouth bass were present in low numbers as it was in past years. Only one fish was caught and it was in the 15" group and weighed 2.3 lbs. Black crappie age classes 2-5 were present in the nets with age class 2 showing slow growth while the other age classes exhibited average growth. The 4.5-5.9 inch group comprises 84% of the black crappie population. The abundance has improved dramatically with 0 black crappie taken in the trapnets or gillnets in 1980 to 29/trapnet and 33.7/gillnet in 1986. Yellow perch size structure ranged from 4.0-8.9 inches with 6.0-6.4 inches being the median size group present. The population has rebounded from 0.0/gillnet in 1980 to 21.7/gillnet in 1986. Walleye age classes 5 and 7 were present with fish averaging 16.9 inches (5 fish) at annuli 5 and 17.0 inches (2 fish) at annuli 7. The walleye ranged from 16.0 inches to 23.9 inches. In comparing walleye age classes present and stocking records since 1980, only the fry stocking of 1981 took hold. This was a period immediately after our 1980 netting which showed all species except black bullheads present at lower levels than they were in 1986.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in Perry. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Perry has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Perry is from 2019.

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