Middle Cullen

Middle Cullen Lake is a 397 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 48', located 3 miles northeast of the town of Nisswa in Crow Wing County. Middle 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 3rd, 2021, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at 2 stations (no fish were caught) and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at 4 stations. Nineteen species were sampled, including six species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted July 12-15, 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.

Middle Cullen is stocked every three years with 127 pounds of Walleye fingerlings. Walleye were caught in average numbers (3.2/gill net) in this survey. Size was good, with an average length of 20.2" and 93% of the fish measuring 12" or larger. Northern Pike were caught in high numbers for this type of lake (10.6/gill net); however, size wasn't great. Average length was 21.6", with 13% measuring larger than 26" and only 3% measuring larger than 30". Largemouth Bass numbers seemed high while electrofishing in the spring (112.5/hr), although size again was not great. Average size was 9.6" and 27% of the fish were 12" or larger. Fish up to 17.3" were captured. Two Smallmouth Bass were also captured while night electrofishing that measured 10.9" and 13.2". If you are looking for panfish, Black Crappie seems to be the best bet. They were caught in average numbers (1.2/trap net) and 65% were 8" or larger. Bluegill numbers were the lowest to date (4.8/trap net) and average length was only 4.8", with 9% measuring at least 7". Another species that might provide some angling opportunities is Tullibee (Cisco). While catches have been higher in the past, the 2021 sampling caught an average number (4.3/gill net) for this type of lake. There were a range of sizes, with fish from 7.6" to 17.9" and an average size of 12.1".

Middle Cullen Lake is a 397 acre lake located in west-central Crow Wing County, just north of the City of Nisswa. It has a maximum depth of 48 feet with a secchi disc reading of 16 feet. Northern pike and walleyes are the primary management species while largemouth bass is the secondary management species. Spring electrofishing for bass was conducted on May 21, 2015 with gill and trap nets set during the week of July 13, 2015. The northern pike catch rate for this survey was 8.4/ gill net. This is the historical high catch for Middle Cullen Lake. The average catch rate for lakes similar to Middle Cullen is 5.0/ gill net. The average size of northern pike during this survey was 24.2" with fish as large as 37.8" sampled. Nearly 41 percent were 24" or larger while 9 percent were 30" or larger. Growth was above average for these fish. This is most likely due to the high population of tullibees, which are a high-fat and protein rich forage species that northern pike prey upon. In order to maintain and improve the northern pike size distribution, anglers are encouraged to harvest the smaller fish while releasing some of the larger fish. The catch rate for walleye was 1.0/ gill net. Previous catch rates have ranged from 0.0/ gill net to 3.5/ gill net. The average size was 19.5" with fish up to 25.5" sampled. A total of 127 pounds of walleye fingerlings are stocked in Middle Cullen every 3 years. When aged, all but 1 walleye sampled in 2015 came from a stocked year class. There is also likely some fish movement coming up from the Gull Chain as well. Growth was above average for walleye, again, most likely due to the high population of tullibees which are an excellent forage species. Largemouth bass electrofishing produced a catch rate of 58/hr. The average size was 12.3" with fish up to 16.8" sampled. Nearly 57 percent were 12" or larger. Smallmouth bass were also sampled for the first time in Middle Cullen. A 13.7" smallmouth was sampled during electrofishing while an 18.8" fish was sampled during the standard survey. The black crappie catch rate was 1.0/ trap net, which is average for lakes like Middle Cullen. The average size was 8.2" with as large as 9.3" sampled. Fifty percent were 8" or larger. The growth of these fish was slightly above normal compared to other lakes similar to Middle Cullen. Bluegill catch rate was 9.6/ trap net, which is the historical low for Middle Cullen. Past catches have been as high as 97.6/ trap net. Fish tended to be small with the average size of bluegill measuring only 4.6". The largest fish measured 7.3" and only 12 percent measured 6" or larger. Tullibees were sampled at a catch rate of 17.6/ gill net. This is the highest catch rate since 1993 when they were sampled at a rate of 37.0/ gill net. Anglers would be able to target them as the average size was 11.9" with fish up to 19.0" sampled. Two size groups (7-9" and 12-16") each accounted for nearly 50 percent of the total sample. Other fish species sampled include bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

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

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

Middle Cullen has a maximum depth of 48 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Middle Cullen has confirmed starry stonewort and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.