Adney

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Adney Lake was conducted beginning June 10th, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 5 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 4 stations. One station was not seined due to abundance of downed trees and branches. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including 5 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 9 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number and by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2023 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, Banded Killifish and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Adney Lake may be adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score near the MNDNR FIBI general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The survey results were considered when the biological health of the lake was assessed during the Pine River watershed assessment process, completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Adney Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species. A concurrent survey of lakeshore habitat was done following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The survey consisted of 31 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. The average lakewide habitat score was 60.6 out of 100 possible. A score of 60.6 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Poor (50-65.9).

Adney Lake is a 310 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 27', located five miles east of Crosslake in Crow Wing County. Adney is in the Pine River watershed. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey took place July 24, 2023, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at 4 stations and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at an additional 4 stations. Soft bottom and heavy vegetation prevented the use of seines at the other sampling sites. Fifteen species were sampled, including 3 species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted on July 10-12, 2023, to calculate a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake.

Adney Lake is a 310 acre lake located 4 miles southeast of Crosslake, in Crow Wing County. A public access is located on the east side of the lake. The maximum depth is 27' and 52% of the lake is less than 15' deep. The lake has relatively soft water, moderate fertility, and good clarity with a secchi disk reading of 17' in 2023. Northern Pike were sampled in high numbers, when compared to similar lakes, at 13.5/gill net. Most ran on the small side with an average length of 18.0". Some larger Northern Pike are present with 11% measuring at least 26" in length. Fish up to 38.9" were sampled. Largemouth Bass are very abundant and were sampled by a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 284.2/hr of run time. Average length was 12.2", with 58% at least 12" in length. Largemouth Bass were also sampled in high number in gill nets at 8.0/net. Average length was 12.2". Bluegills were sampled in average number at 16.6/trap net. Average length was 7.4", with 86% measuring at least 7" in length. Black Crappies were sampled in average numbers at 3.3/gill net. Average length was 10.1". A unique fish to catch on Adney would be Yellow Bullheads. They were sampled in high numbers at 133.3/gill net. Average length was 10.2", with fish up to 13.7" sampled. No invasive species have been discovered in Adney, but they are in the area. 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.

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

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

Adney has a maximum depth of 27 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Adney is from 2024.

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