Little Chippewa

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2025 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 10 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Little Chippewa Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Chippewa River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Thirteen species were collected during this survey. Two species (Banded Killifish and Iowa Darter) were considered "intolerant" and two species (Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish) were 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 Little Chippewa Lake.

Little Chippewa Lake is a 269-acre basin located two miles north of Brandon. The basin has a maximum depth of 24 feet. Average depth is estimated at 15 feet. Water transparency at time of the July 2025 survey was measured at 10 feet. Douglas County maintains a public park located along the eastern shoreline of the lake. The park offers recreational opportunities including shoreline fishing, swimming, and camping. A DNR public access exists on the south shoreline off County Road 108. A standard fisheries survey was completed in July of 2025 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Little Chippewa Lake supports a stable yet modest Walleye fishery. Walleye catch rates (4.8 fish/gill net) were nearly identical to the previous two surveys and continue to meet the management objective of at least 4 Walleye/gill net. Growth rates are relatively fast with age-3 Walleye averaging 14.7 inches. The largest Walleye measured was 23.0 inches. Regular Walleye fingerling stockings were discontinued by the MN DNR in 2016 due to modest returns of stocked fingerlings. The current DNR surplus stocking regimen is augmented by private stockings to help maintain a limited Walleye fishery. Largemouth Bass proved to be moderately abundant. Growth rates are representative of the state-wide average with bass reaching 12.0 inches at age 4. Size structure of the electrofishing catch described a quality fishery. Sixty-one percent of the Largemouth Bass sampled were over 12.0 inches and the largest bass observed was 19.5 inches. Catch rates of Northern Pike (9.8/gill net) have increased from the previous survey (6.2/gill net). Average length was 24.4 inches. The largest pike measured 36.8 inches. Sixteen percent of captures were 28.0 inches and larger. Anglers are reminded that new pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018. Little Chippewa Lake is located in the North-Central Zone. 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. Harvesting smaller pike will help shift the population back towards larger individuals and reduce the number of predators for young Walleye and other gamefish. Bluegill catch rates (66.3 fish/trap net) were high in 2025. Age distribution of Bluegill catches extended to age 10, but 63% of captures were age 5 or younger. Although the population is dominated by young fish, Little Chippewa Lake provides quality Bluegill angling opportunities. Forty-five percent of Bluegill were over 7.0 inches in length and fish up to 9.3 inches were observed in trap nets. Black Crappie catch rates were low (1.4 fish/trap net) and a majority of fish captured were age-4 and younger. Few crappies over 10.0 inches were observed during the 2025 survey. Black Crappie growth rates are moderate; average length of age 4 fish was 9.1 inches. The largest and oldest Black Crappie in the sample was 12.5 inches and 8 years old. Adult Yellow Perch numbers were low during the 2025 survey. Yellow Perch are preferred prey of Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. Significant predation likely limits the ability of the Yellow Perch population in this system to maintain a size structure appealing to anglers. Additional species sampled include Bowfin, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead. The next standard fisheries survey is tentatively scheduled for 2031. Little Chippewa Lake was designated as an infested water after the discovery of zebra mussels in 2017. Recreational users should take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of invasive species. Drain all water and remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat and trailer when leaving any body of water.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted on July 29, 2019 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Nearshore 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 10 stations. A 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations and a 15-foot seine was used at two stations. The nearshore sampling captured 17 native fish species including three species (Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) intolerant of habitat disturbance and two species (Common Carp and Green Sunfish) that are tolerant of disturbance. Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from a standard trap net and gill netting survey to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological 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 Little Chippewa Lake based on this survey is exceptionally high, and well 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 Chippewa River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Little Chippewa has a maximum depth of 24 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 Little Chippewa is from 2025.

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