Kego

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kego Lake was conducted on August 5-6, 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 ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Two stations were not seined due to dense lilies and soft substrate. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., 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 nine species of fish but none that are intolerant of disturbance. Bluegill and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). 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. In addition to fish sampling, IBI Program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Kego Lake on June 13, 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 33 survey sites evenly spaced every 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: the shoreline zone (i.e., the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), the shoreland zone (i.e., land-ward from the shoreline to developed structure or 100 feet), and the aquatic zone (i.e., lake-ward 50 feet from the shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 81.9 (+/- 2.2) out of 100 possible. A score of 81.9 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is moderately high (80-84.9). Approximately 27 percent of the sites were developed, with a mean score of 70.9 (+/- 4.9) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is moderate (70-79.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 86.0 (+/- 1.9) with high (85-91.9) habitat quality. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community and lakeshore habitat in Kego Lake are healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes and a moderately high habitat score. The FIBI results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Kego Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey 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. You can help protect the fish community in Kego Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Kego is a 296 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 20', located 2 miles North of Fifty Lakes, MN. Kego 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 21st, 2023, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at 1 station and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at 7 stations. Nineteen species were sampled, including three species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter. This nearshore survey was used along with the gill net and trap net survey collected the same week 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.

The best fishing opportunity in Kego Lake appears to be for northern pike. Numbers were high at 13.0/net and average size was great at 24.9" with 32% measuring 26 inches or larger. Anglers are encouraged to use restraint when harvesting northern pike on Kego in order to preserve this unique opportunity. Please release the largest fish and preferably only keep those under 22". The perch population more than likely helps support this healthy population of northern pike. They are an important forage fish and were captured at 5.2/gill net. This number has been much higher in the recent past. Average size was small at 6.6", suggesting the pike are keeping them cropped down. This is a unique balance that doesn't exist in a lot of area lakes. Panfish looked like they could offer some fishing as well. Black crappie were caught at the rate of 3.3/gill net, which is average for this type of lake. Average length was 8.9", with 90% of the fish measuring 8" or larger. Similar results were found for bluegill, with a catch rate of 15.2/trap net. Average length was 6.8" and 64% measured 7" or larger. Largemouth bass were caught in high numbers for this type of lake (4.7/gill net). Largemouth bass tend to do a good job of avoiding nets, so to find this many in our nets is encouraging to anglers looking to fish Kego for bass. Average length was 13.0" and fish up to 18.5" were captured. Electrofishing is usually a better indicator of the population, but as bass are not one of the management species for this lake, electrofishing was not completed in 2023.

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

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

Kego has a maximum depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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