Goodrich

Goodrich is a 360 acre lake located near Crosslake in Crow Wing County. A public access is located on the western shallower basin. Goodrich reaches depths of 35', with 66% less than 15' deep. Water clarity is good with a Secchi disk reading of 11.0'. Goodrich has a 5 fish possession limit for both crappies and sunfish. The intent of this regulation is to preserve the high quality of the crappie and sunfish populations. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers in trap nets (10.8/net) when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 5.4" with 16% measuring at least 7". Bluegills captured in gill nets were larger and averaged 7.0" with 30% measuring at least 8". Black Crappies were sampled in average numbers in gill nets at 3.5/net. Average length was 9.3". The trap net catch of 2.0/net was also average compared to similar lakes. Average length was 9.8". For both gears combined 49% measured at least 9". Black Crappies were also sampled during spring bass electrofishing. Fish ranged from 6.8" to 12.3" with an average of 9.9". Largemouth Bass were sampled by a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 66.3/hour run-time. Average length was 12.5" with 20% measuring at least 14". The gill net catch of 2.0/net was high, with an average length of 11.7". Northern Pike were sampled in average numbers at 11.2/gill net. Most ran on the small side, with an average length of 18.5". Northern Pike over 26" made up 12% of the catch. Walleyes are not stocked by the DNR but are occasionally stocked as fingerlings by the lake association. The last stocking took place in 2020. Only one Walleye was sampled, measuring 26.3". No invasive species have been discovered in Goodrich Lake, but they are in the area. Before and after launching, lake users should 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.

Goodrich Lake was netted with single frame 3/4-inch trap nets May 13-14, 2024, to monitor Black Crappie and Bluegill populations. Goodrich Lake has a special regulation limiting the daily possession to five sunfish and five crappies. The reduced daily limit began in 2005. Black Crappies ranged in length from 7.1" to 14.6". Average length was 9.2" and 62% of the Black Crappies measured 9" or longer and 9% were at least 10" suggesting opportunities to catch quality crappies. Bluegills ranged in length from 5.3" to 9.5". Average length was 8.2" and 95% of the Bluegills measured 7" or longer and 64% were at least 8". Fish over 9 inches were present indicating a high quality fishery. The five crappie and five sunfish daily limits have been successful in maintaining the quality size structure of panfish in Goodrich Lake.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Goodrich Lake was conducted on August 17-18, 2022, 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 ten sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured nineteen species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data will be combined with a trap net and gill net data survey planned in 2024 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., 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Pine River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, and Northern Pike in Goodrich. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Goodrich has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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