Christina

Lake Christina is a large, shallow basin located near the town of Ashby in west-central Minnesota. The lake is nationally recognized as a critical staging area for migrating waterfowl, especially canvasbacks. The lake is known to alternate between a clear water state in which aquatic macrophytes are dominant and a turbid phase characterized by poor water clarity and high phytoplankton density. Rotenone was used in 1987 and 2003 to reduce the existing fish community and induce a shift from the turbid state to a clear water state. Comprehensive monitoring of the lake ecosystem has followed each chemical treatment. The DNR Section of Fisheries teamed with researchers from the University of St. Thomas to monitor the fish community in 2005Lake Christina is designated as a Wildlife Management Lake and is managed for migratory waterfowl. The lake is following the same trend as the last time it was treated with rotenone. Water clarity improved dramatically in 2005 and submergent vegetation was lush and abundant. Management efforts will continue to be directed towards minimizing the abundance of fish present in Lake Christina. The lake is closed to fishing.

Lake Christina is a large, shallow basin located near the town of Ashby in west-central Minnesota. The lake is nationally recognized as a critical staging area for migrating waterfowl, especially canvasbacks. The lake is known to alternate between a clear water state in which aquatic macrophytes are dominant and a turbid phase characterized by poor water clarity and high phytoplankton density. Rotenone was used in 1987 and 2003 to reduce the existing fish community and induce a shift from the turbid state to a clear water state. Comprehensive monitoring of the lake ecosystem has followed each chemical treatment. The DNR Section of Fisheries teamed with researchers from the University of St. Thomas to monitor the fish community in 2004.Lake Christina is designated as a Wildlife Management Lake and is managed for migratory waterfowl. The current management strategy is to minimize the total fish biomass in the lake to optimize water clarity and aquatic plant abundance. Fish were not re-stocked following the chemical treatment in 2004. The lake is closed to fishing.

Lake Christina is a large, shallow, eutrophic lake in Douglas and Grant counties. Historically recognized as an important waterfowl staging area, Lake Christina was in a turbid, algae dominated state throughout the late 1970's and 1980's. Water clarity was poor, aquatic plant abundance was limited, and waterfowl use was minimal. Lake Christina was chemically rehabilitated with rotenone in the fall of 1987 for waterfowl management purposes. There were dramatic increases in water clarity, aquatic plant abundance, and waterfowl use in the years following the reclamation. Lake Christina was restocked with walleye and largemouth bass in order to establish and maintain a fish community dominated by large predators. Annual population assessments have been completed to monitor the development and changes in fish community structure following chemical reclamation. Fish populations have reverted back to a community dominated by black bullhead, northern pike, and yellow perch, which is typical of shallow lakes that experience low dissolved oxygen concentrations during ice cover. Water clarity and aquatic plant abundance has also returned to pre-reclamation conditions. Following the reclamation, Lake Christina was opened to fishing in May 1991 and angling success was reported to be excellent. The Section of Wildlife opted to close the lake to open water angling prior to the 1992 fishing opener based on concerns relative to waterfowl hazing and physical disturbance of aquatic macrophytes. Presently the lake is open to winter fishing only from December 1 through March 31. Northern pike provide most of the fishing opportunities. Average size of the fish is about 2.0 pounds.

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

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

Christina has a maximum depth of 14 feet and a mean depth of 4.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Christina is from 2005. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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