Upper Cullen

Upper Cullen Lake is a 435 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 40', located 6 miles northeast of the town of Nisswa in Crow Wing County. Upper Cullen is located in the Crow Wing 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 September 2nd, 2021, 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 3 stations. Fifteen species were sampled, including six species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Pugnose Shiner. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted July 6-9, 2021, 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.

Upper Cullen isn't the easiest lake to get onto, but it may offer those that are able to some decent Northern Pike and Black Crappie fishing. Access may be gained via resort on the east side of the lake or by channel and through culvert from Middle Cullen. The Northern Pike catch was above average (13.1/gill net) for this type of lake. Average length was 20.9", with fish up to 34.7" measured. With 61% of the fish below the 22-26" protected slot, there will be plenty of fish for people to keep. Black Crappies were caught in above average numbers at 5.0/gill net. Average length was 8.2" and 57% of the fish were 8" or larger. Fish up to 14.1" were sampled. Bluegill numbers and size were not impressive. The net catch was the lowest to date (6.6/trap net) and only 7% of the fish were 7" or larger. Walleyes may be a bonus fish for anglers as well. Although not stocked directly in Upper Cullen, they can make their way in via channel that connects to Middle Cullen. Walleye fingerlings are stocked in Middle Cullen every third year. There may be some movement of Walleyes coming up from the upper part of the Gull Chain as well. The Walleye catch rate in 2021 was 1.9/gill net. The average size was large at 20" and all of the fish were over 16". All of these walleyes, when aged, corresponded with fingerling stocking of Middle Cullen.

Upper Cullen Lake is a 435 acre lake located in west-central Crow Wing County, just north of the City of Nisswa. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Access may be gained via resort on the east side of the lake or by channel and through culvert from Middle Cullen. Northern pike is the primary management species while largemouth bass is the secondary management species of Upper Cullen. Spring electrofishing for largemouth bass was conducted on May 21, 2015 while gill and trap nets were set during the week of July 6, 2015. The northern pike catch rate for this survey was 8.6/ gill net. The average size was 21.2" with fish as large as 29.9" measured. Slightly over 13 percent were 24" or larger. In order to maintain and improve the northern pike size distribution, anglers are encouraged to harvest some of the smaller fish while releasing some of the larger fish, particularly those over 22". Largemouth bass electrofishing yielded a catch rate of 28/hr, which is close to the previous catch rate of 30/hr in 2009. The average size was 14.2" with fish up to 17.5" sampled. The largemouth bass catch rate for in gill nets was 0.6/ net, which is also close to average for lakes like Upper Cullen. The average size in gill nets was 14.9" while 80 percent of the fish measured 15" or larger. The black crappie catch rate of 2.2/ gill net was average for lakes similar to Upper Cullen. Their average length was 9.2" with the largest fish measuring 13.0". The growth rate for crappies was above average. Sixty-five percent of the black crappies were 8" or larger. Bluegills are another option for anglers of Upper Cullen. The catch rate for bluegill was 10.7/ trap net, which is below average for Upper Cullen. The average size was 5.7" with fish up to 8.5" sampled. Close to 44 percent of these bluegills were 6" or larger. Walleyes may be a bonus fish for anglers as well. Although not stocked directly in Upper Cullen, they can make their way in via channel that connects to Middle Cullen. Walleye fingerlings are stocked in Middle Cullen every third year. There may be some movement of walleyes coming up from the upper part of the Gull Chain as well. The walleye catch rate in 2015 was 1.8/ gill net, which is slightly above average for lakes similar to Upper Cullen. The average size was 17.9" with fish up to 28.1" measured. Just over 65 percent were 15" or larger. Most of these walleyes, when aged, corresponded with fingerling stocking of Middle Cullen. Some other fish species sampled during the survey include bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tullibee, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Upper Cullen. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Upper Cullen has a maximum depth of 40 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Upper Cullen is from 2021.

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