Union

Union (also referred to as South Union) Lake is a small, bowl-shaped basin located between Alexandria and Forada. Water quality and clarity are good. Water transparency readings typically exceed 10 feet during summer months. A small, public access is located along the northeast shoreline. Union Lake contains a relatively simple fish community consistent with most bass-panfish lakes found in west-central Minnesota. The Bluegill population (22.3/trap net) is similar to recent surveys. Recruitment is consistent, with many strong year classes. Growth is also fairly fast. Average and maximum length were almost 6 and 9 inches, respectively. Similar to other mid-July surveys, few Black Crappies were sampled. During the 2022 survey, Black Crappie abundance (2.8/gill net) while low, was a historical high for Union Lake. Average and maximum length were over 10 and 13 inches, respectively. Largemouth Bass relative abundance (82/hour of electrofishing) was substantially higher than the previous two surveys (34.2/hour in 2016 and 19.6/hour in 2010). Bass ranged in length from 3 to 19 inches, with a mean of 11.5 inches. Many bass were small but 34% exceeded 14 inches. Northern Pike (5.5/gill net) were less abundant than they have been in the past. Size structure was poor (81% of pike were below 22 inches), similar to past surveys. Average length was slightly over 20 inches and the largest pike sampled was only 28 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small Northern Pike. New Northern Pike regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase size structure. Union 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 (0.8/gill net) and Yellow Perch (0.3/gill net) were sampled at low densities, but this is similar to previous surveys. Walleye ranged in length from 19 to 23 inches. Too few of each species were sampled for any meaningful analysis. Other species sampled were Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed and Yellow Bullhead.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community on Union Lake was conducted in June 2017 by Fisheries Lake Index of Biological Integrity (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. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten stations. A 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations and a 15-foot seine was used at eight stations. Several sites had soft sediments and a substantial fringe of abundant bulrush and water lilies, with deep water beyond, making sampling nearshore fishes difficult. Nearshore sampling captured 14 native species of fish including five species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Least Darter, and Iowa Darter). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from a standard gill and trap netting survey in July 2016 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) score 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 Union Lake based on this survey is above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. 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 to the Long Prairie River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Union Lake is a 104-acre lake located southeast of Alexandria, near Forada. Water clarity measurements exceed 13 feet during summer months. A broad band of emergent plants, namely hardstem bulrush and cattails ring much of the shoreline. Rooted aquatic plants are common to abundant, particularly in the shallow southwest portion of the lake. Habitat attributes are most characteristic of a bass-panfish lake. A DNR public access is located on the northeast side of the lake. Union Lake is relatively quiet and only moderately developed compared to other lakes in the area. A standardized fisheries survey was completed in 2016 to gain estimates of abundance and size structure of gamefish populations. Largemouth Bass population attributes were gained from a night electrofishing survey completed May 18, 2016. Electrofishing catches described a modest density of Largemouth Bass. Sizes at capture ranged from 5.9 inches to 17.2 inches and averaged 12.1 inches. The netting component of the standard survey occurred July 18-21. Northern pike proved to be abundant. Pike catches averaged 20.5 inches in length. Seven of the 56 Northern Pike captured in gill nets exceeded 28.0 inches in total length. The largest pike capture measured 31.1 inches. Walleye stockings have not been very successful in this very small, clear water lake holding an abundance of competitors and predators, namely Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Five Walleyes were captured. With few young fish in the population, age structure and average size of Walleyes was skewed towards larger fish. Average size of Walleye captures was 20.3 inches and 3.8 pounds. Black Crappie catches were modest as expected in mid-summer surveys. The population sample included representatives of six age classes. Age distribution extended to age 7. Crappie captures ranged from 3.9 to 12.1 inches. Fish quality offered by the crappie population was good. Twenty-five percent of captures were 10.0 inches and larger. Bluegills proved abundant. The population sample depicted some modest recruitment of young fish into the population each year and an age distribution that extended to age 12. Bluegill growth is a little below average, but with the extended age structure, a modest density of 8.0 inch and larger fish were present. The single 12-year-old Bluegill captured measured 10.1 inches in length. The panfish community also includes Pumpkinseed Sunfish and sunfish hybrids. Yellow Perch are present, but few are large enough to stimulate harvest. Other fishes common to surveys include Bowfin or dogfish, as well as Yellow and Brown Bullheads. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the lightly exploited surpluses of 21.0-inch and smaller Northern Pike and 12.0-inch and smaller Largemouth Bass and release larger gamefishes to enhance fishing quality.

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

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

Union has a maximum depth of 45 feet and a mean depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Union is from 2022.

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