Mayo

Mayo Lake is a 165 acre lake located two miles southwest of Pequot Lakes in Crow Wing County. The maximum depth is 22', with 95% of the lake 15' or less. Emergent vegetation such as bulrush and water lilies surround much of the lake. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Northern pike were sampled in average numbers, when compared to similar lakes at 10.0/ gill net. Average length was 23.8" with 43% in the protected 22" to 26" slot. Fish over 26" made up 23% of the catch. Lakes in this part of the state have a new northern pike regulation enacted in 2018: 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. Black crappies were sampled in high numbers at 9.0/gill net. Average length was 7.7". The trap net catch was average at 2.2/net. Average length was 7.0". For both gears combined 38% measured at least 8.0" in length. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 16.0/ trap net. Bluegills averaged 5.4" with only 3% measuring at least 7.0" in length. Mayo Lake bluegills over 7" were at least 7-years old. No invasive species have been discovered in Mayo Lake, but they are located in the area. Lake users are required to 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.

Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff conducted a targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Mayo Lake on July 31st, 2019. 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 10 sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (Least Darter and Iowa Darter) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a survey the week of August 5th, 2019 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 Logperch), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Fathead Minnow, Green Sunfish, 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. An additional survey was completed on Mayo Lake in June 2019 that resulted in a similar FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Mayo Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Mayo Lake was conducted on June 17-18, 2019 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 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 stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured nine species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Least Darter) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2019 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, Least 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. An additional survey was completed on Mayo Lake in July 2019 that resulted in a similar FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Mayo Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community 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, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass in Mayo. 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 Mayo. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Mayo has a maximum depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mayo is from 2019.

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