Smith

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2024 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 14 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Smith Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Sauk River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Sixteen species were collected during this survey. Three species (Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) were considered "intolerant" and one species (Green Sunfish) was considered "tolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Smith Lake.

Smith Lake is a 666-acre natural lake located between Alexandria and Osakis. Maximum and average depths are 30 and 15 feet, respectively. Aquatic recreation is seasonally impaired due to excessive nutrient loading and algal blooms. The annual die-off of curly-leaf pondweed and release of nutrients back in the water can also stimulate algae blooms beginning in late June and early July. Even though the lake has water quality impairment, it supports abundant panfish. A concrete access is located on the northeast side of the lake, off Smith Lake Road SE. Black Crappie are abundant (5.0/trap net; 14.9/gill net), especially for a late-July survey. However, growth is slow, with few fish reaching 10 inches, even with crappie surviving to age-13. Average and maximum length were 7.7 and 11.7 inches, respectively. Similar to crappie, Bluegill are abundant (39.9/trap net), and growth is slow. Average length in trap nets was 5.9 inches, with the largest Bluegill sampled being 8.0 inches. Largemouth Bass relative abundance (16.5/hour of electrofishing) was the lowest on record, but size structure has improved. Most fish were large (average of 16.4 inches), ranging from 14.0 to 19.1 inches. More Northern Pike (9.0/gill net) were sampled than any survey since 2001. Average length was 24.7 inches, while the largest pike sampled was 32.0 inches. Size structure appears to be increasing. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small Northern Pike. New Northern Pike regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase size structure. Smith Lake is in the North-Central Zone, where all pike from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Anglers can keep 10 pike, but not more than two can be longer than 26 inches. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules, except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches, or two larger than 26 inches. For more information see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pike/index.html. Walleye numbers (3.0/gill net) continue to be low, similar to past surveys. However, growth is fast, so most Walleye are large, ranging from 18.1 to 27.6 inches. Past stocking strategies have included frylings, fingerlings, yearlings and adults, although stockings have been predominately fingerlings, with limited success. For that reason, annual fry stocking began in 2022. However, it is currently too early to evaluate the effectiveness of fry stocking. Other species sampled include Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. Zebra mussels were first recorded in 2022. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are easily moved from infested to non-infested waters and can negatively affect lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain water from their boat before leaving the access. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Smith Lake was conducted on July 30-31, 2018 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations 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 14 stations with one site sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample 12 stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample one station, and one sampling station had conditions that prevented the use of seines. Nearshore sampling captured 18 native species of fish including three species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) as well as three tolerant species (Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from standard gill and trap netting surveys to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) that describes the overall health of the lake. 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. 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. The FIBI score for Smith Lake based on this survey is below 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 Sauk River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Smith has a maximum depth of 30 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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