Round

A targeted survey was conducted in spring 2022 to assess the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. This was the first targeted spring panfish survey on Round Lake and will be used as a baseline to evaluate the effects of the new Quality Sunfish Initiative (QSI) regulation. On March 1, 2022, a special regulation was implemented that reduced the daily limit of sunfish from 20 to 5. The goal of the new regulation is to maintain or increase the average size of Bluegill. This survey also offered the opportunity to sample larger Black Crappie, which can be difficult to sample in standard summer surveys. Round Lake supports a quality Bluegill and Black Crappie fishery. Survey results suggest both populations exhibited moderate abundance and good size structure. Almost 36% of Bluegill sampled exceeded 8 inches and almost 35% of Black Crappie sampled exceeded 10 inches. The largest fish measured was just over 9 inches for Bluegill and just over 13 inches for Black Crappie. Panfish anglers fishing Round Lake are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help sustain the quality of this fishery. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while promoting harvest of more abundance smaller fish. Releasing medium to large fish will help maintain fish community balance as well as increase opportunities to catch large fish in the future.

Round Lake is an 81-acre, shallow basin located in central Douglas County north of Holmes City. Maximum depth is 30.0 feet. A small, unimproved public access with limited parking is located on the south shoreline off County Highway 27. This shallow, earthen access does not have a dock and is best suited for smaller watercraft. A standard MN DNR lake survey was completed during early June 2019 to assess the fish community of Round Lake. Survey methodology included electrofishing, gill nets, and trap nets. Survey results were indicative of a relatively simple bass-panfish fishery found in small, vegetated basins in west-central Minnesota. Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike were abundant and catches were largely comprised of small- to medium-size fish. Bluegill and Black Crappie were moderately abundant. Size structure of both populations has improved in recent years. Mean length of Bluegill captures was 6.5 inches. The largest Bluegill captured measured 9.3 inches. Mean length of crappie captures was 9.8 inches, but length distribution extended to 12.9 inches. Yellow Perch were also present but this population is extremely limited and is typically not targeted by anglers. Other fishes captured during the 2019 survey include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead. Muskellunge have never been sampled in Round Lake during standard DNR surveys but anecdotal angler reports suggest they may be present. This species likely emigrated from Lobster Lake, a connected basin that is stocked with Muskellunge. The next lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2029. Anglers are reminded that new statewide Northern Pike harvest regulations were implemented in 2018. Round Lake is located within the North-central Zone where anglers can now keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Round Lake is supporting a surplus of harvestable-size pike. Greater harvest of small pike may help improve size structure of this population. Round Lake is also designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of Eurasian watermilfoil, which was first confirmed in 2013. Dense mats of this invasive plant were evident throughout this basin during the 2019 survey. For more information regarding this invasive species in Minnesota see the following: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticplants/milfoil/index.html

Round Lake is a 75-acre, shallow lake located south of Garfield and Lobster Lake. Water quality and fish habitat conditions have been poor, but recent survey statistics depict improvements in water clarity and aquatic vegetation diversity and coverage. Habitat changes are conducive to expansion of largemouth bass and other members of the sunfish family. Largemouth bass have become moderately abundant. Growth has slowed as population density and competition for available prey have increased. Average size of bass captures was 11.7 inches. The largest bass measured 19.5 inches in length. Bluegill and black crappie catches have moderated in response to irregular annual recruitment of young fish into the fishery and increased exposure to predation by largemouth bass. Bluegill averaged 6.0 inches in length. Only four of 72 bluegill caught were 8.0 inches or larger. Crappie fishing quality, in terms of catch rates and size, has been inconsistent and dependent upon addition of periodic strong age classes. Age distribution of the 2009 crappie catch indicates a strong year class was established in 2007. Cohorts of this age group comprised more than half of all captures. Lengths of crappie catches ranged from 7.2 to 10.9 inches. Nineteen percent of crappie measured exceeded 10.0 inches. Northern pike are not abundant, but the population can provide good fishing. Gillnet catches averaged 3.7 pike/net. Mean length of sampled fish was 23.4 inches. The largest pike measured was 31.6 inches in total length.

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

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

Round has a maximum depth of 30 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 Round is from 2022.

Yes — Round has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.