Pomme de Terre

Pomme de Terre Lake is a shallow, 1,758-acre basin located on the Pomme de Terre River between the towns of Elbow Lake and Ashby in Grant County. Mean and maximum depths are 10.0 and 23.0 feet, respectively. Three public access locations are available on Pomme de Terre Lake. Boaters should be aware of numerous shallow rocky areas, especially during periods of low water levels. These navigation hazards are located mainly along points and in the middle of the southern arm of this basin. The Pomme de Terre River inflows in the northwest corner of this basin and outflows in the southwest corner. The river transports significant amounts of nutrients and sediment into and through the lake. Water quality and clarity can be poor following heavy rainfall events and during the heat of the summer due to suspended sediments and algae blooms. Water clarity at the start of the 2023 survey was 3.0 feet. Primary management efforts on Pomme de Terre Lake are directed towards Walleye. Natural reproduction sustains this fishery, but Walleye fry are stocked every other year to supplement the population. A fisheries survey was completed in August 2023 to assess the fish community of Pomme de Terre Lake. The most abundant game fishes were those best adapted to a turbid environment (Walleye and Black Crappie). Walleye catch rates were near all-time highs for Pomme de Terre Lake. Approximately 84% of the Walleye caught in the survey were age 1. This very large year class of Walleye was likely due to natural reproduction from Walleye spawning within the lake or upstream in the river in 2022. Spawning conditions in 2022 must have been ideal, as large year classes of Walleye were also observed in other lakes on the Pomme de Terre River. Most of the Walleye caught in the survey were these younger, smaller fish, which ranged in length from 9 to 13 inches at the time of the survey. These fish should grow to harvestable sizes during 2024 and provide excellent Walleye fishing for the next several years. Black Crappies were moderately abundant and most of them caught in the survey were younger, smaller fish. Most of the crappie were from 5 to 7 inches, but several fish up to 14.5 inches were observed. White Crappies are present, but they are less abundant. Other gamefishes that are sight feeders or dependent on aquatic vegetation during early life stages (Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike) have typically been less abundant in this basin. However, Bluegill and Largemouth Bass populations have been increasing in recent years. Smaller, younger Bluegill and Largemouth Bass were common in both the 2017 and 2023 surveys. Larger Bluegill and Largemouth Bass are much less abundant, but bass exceeding 19 inches and Bluegill exceeding 9 inches do occur in low numbers. Northern Pike abundance remains low. While typically not very abundant, some large pike have been captured. The largest measured in 2023 was 33.1 inches. Abundance of larger Yellow Perch remains low, although small Yellow Perch appeared abundant in nearshore sampling conducted during a different survey in 2023. Near record-low numbers of Black Bullheads were caught in 2023 and catch rates of Common Carp were also lower than average for Pomme de Terre Lake. Yellow Bullhead abundance may be increasing, but still remains relatively low. Freshwater Drum were first documented in Pomme de Terre Lake in the 2017 survey, but none were observed in the 2023 survey. Meanwhile, Freshwater Drum abundance has increased dramatically in downstream lakes. They are thought to have expanded above Crissy Dam in Morris in 2012 during flood conditions. Pomme de Terre Lake was designated as an infested water after the discovery of zebra mussels in 2018. Recreational users should take necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of invasive species. Drain all water and remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat and trailer when leaving any body of water.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2023 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 18 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Pomme de Terre Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Pomme de Terre River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Twenty-two species were collected during this survey. Five species (Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) were considered "intolerant" and three species (Black Bullhead, Common Carp, 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 Pomme de Terre Lake.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff starting August 28, 2017. Eighteen sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 18 sites with one site sampled from the boat. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 16 sites and soft sediments with abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at two sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 24 native species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass), three native species that are tolerant of disturbance (Fathead Minnow, Green Sunfish, and Orangespotted Sunfish) and one non-native species that is also tolerant of disturbance (Common Carp). The high number of species collected is likely influenced by the Pomme de Terre River flowing through this lake. Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2017 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) score. 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 Pomme de Terre Lake from this survey is above an impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar shallow 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 Pomme de Terre River Watershed assessment of surface waters process completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Pomme de Terre has a maximum depth of 23 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pomme de Terre is from 2023.

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