Sibley

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sibley Lake was conducted on August 5, 2021, 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 all 10 sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blacknose Shiner) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Common Carp and Green Sunfish). A summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff on August 11-12, 2021. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 12 species of fish, including one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Common Carp). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Common Carp, Bluegill, Yellow Bullhead, and Walleye comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2020 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., Blacknose 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Sibley Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Sibley is stocked every third year with 255 pounds of Walleye fingerlings. Walleye numbers were average in Sibley at 2.0/gill net. Average size was good at 19.8", with fish up to 28.9" captured. Northern Pike numbers were average (5.3/gill net) and size was good, with an average length of 25.3". Fish above the 22-26" slot made up 38% of the catch. Anglers are encouraged to use restraint when harvesting Northern Pike on Sibley in order to preserve this unique opportunity. Please consider releasing the largest fish and preferably only keep those under 22" in accordance with a new Northern Pike regulation enacted in 2018 for lakes in this part of the state: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Bass electrofishing was not completed in 2020 due to Covid-19 protocols. Fish up to 18.2" were sampled in nets during the survey. Black Crappie numbers were good at 5.2/gill net. The average Black Crappie length was only 6.5", with 24% of the fish measuring 8" or larger. Bluegill numbers were average (16.2/trap net). Finding fish of harvestable size might be an issue however. Bluegill average length was 5.3", with only 2% measuring 7" or larger.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sibley Lake was conducted on July 2, 2020 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Ten sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each station was sampled by backpack electrofishing. A 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample five stations with steep shorelines, and two sites were not seined due to soft substrates, abundant vegetation, and deep water that prevented wading. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., 102 Blacknose Shiners, one Iowa Darter, and one Rock Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., 19 Green Sunfish). Note that the trap net and gill net surveys later in July captured 2 additional tolerant species (Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The nearshore data are combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2020 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 healthy habitat (e.g., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Least Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Common Carp, 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. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community in Sibley Lake to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

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

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

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