Mustinka River Flowage

The Mustinka River Flowage is a 91-acre, man-made impoundment of the Mustinka River. The dam was constructed in the late 1930s. With age of the reservoir and sediment deposits, maximum depth has decreased from 18.0 feet to approximately 10.0 feet. Average depth is 4.0 feet. This shallow, productive reservoir is located four miles north of Herman in Grant County. The inlet of upper Mustinka River is on the east shoreline. A gravel boat launch is located on the northwest side of the reservoir within the Pine Ridge Park. Park amenities include the boat launch, primitive camping, picnic facilities, and a swimming beach. The park entrance is located off of Grant County Road 34. Water quality is poor during summer months due to excessive nutrient loading and suspension of bottom sediments. A standard lake survey was completed in 2018 to assess the fish community of the Mustinka River Flowage and assess success of Walleye stockings. Walleyes proved to be abundant. Gill net catches averaged 36.5 fish/net. Capture lengths ranged from 7.1 to 21.6 inches and averaged 13.7 inches. Most of the Walleye catch was comprised of two- and three-year old fish. Age distribution of the catch extended only to age 5. Approximately 20% of the Walleye catch measured 15.0 inches or larger. The largest Walleye captured measured 21.6 inches. Five year classes were present but majority of the fish were from the 2016 year class, suggesting fry stocking worked well. Age distribution of the catch also included good numbers of three-year-old Walleyes. No stocking occurred in 2015, thus these fish are likely natural recruits. Northern Pike were moderately abundant. Size distribution of pike catch was exceptional. Approximately 80% of Northern Pike captures exceeded 21.0 inches in length. Average length was 26.5 inches. The largest pike capture was a memorable-size fish measuring 36.0 inches. Catches of other gamefishes were very limited. No Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch were caught. Only two Bluegills were captured. The largest measured 8.5 inches. Black Crappie were modest in comparison to high catch rates recorded during the 2008 survey. At least two age groups of crappie were reflected in length-frequency distribution of the catch, but annual recruitment appeared to be very limited in recent years. This is typical of Black Crappie populations which can undergo boom and bust fisheries as a strong year class moves through the system. Bluegill catch rates have typically been low, likely due to lack of aquatic vegetation. Other fishes sampled in this survey included Black Bullheads, Common Carp, and White Suckers. Catches and abundance of these habitat tolerant fishes tend to be elevated when habitat conditions tend to stress gamefish populations and limit community diversity. In sustained absence of winterkill, survey catch statistics suggest the Mustinka River Flowage will support good Walleye and Northern Pike fishing for several years. The Mustinka River Flowage is not currently a designated infested water. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can negatively affect lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain water from their boat before leaving the access. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html

Mustinka Lake is located four miles north of Herman in Grant County. The lake is a small man-made impoundment of the Mustinka River. The dam was constructed in the late 30's. Sediment deposition has reduced maximum depth of the reservoir from approximately 18 feet to 8 feet. Dense algal blooms and suspended sediment limit water clarity. Secchi disk measurements generally do not exceed 2.0 feet. Rooted aquatic plants are limited by poor water clarity and thus sunfish densities are low. Mustinka Lake is prone to occasional winterkill. A county owned park (Pine Ridge Park) and public launch are located on the northwest side of the lake. Northern pike are abundant. Mean weight was 2.2 lbs. Northern pike as large as 29.0 inches were captured. Walleye are stocked and present in moderate density.Most captured walleye were 12.0 to 14.0 inches in length at the time of the survey. Lake Mustinka currently supports a tremendous number of black crappie. Trap net catches exceeded 20.0 fish per net. Average size was small due to the young fish making up the population. No black crappie exceeded 9.5 inches in length. Other species sampled during the survey were black bullhead, common carp, bluegill, largemouth bass, white sucker, yellow bullhead and yellow perch.

Mustinka Lake is a small man-made impoundment created in the late 1930's by constructing a dam on the Mustinka River in Grant County. Sediment deposition has reduced the maximum depth of the reservoir from approximately 18 feet to 8 feet. Water quality, clarity, and aquatic habitat are considered poor. Periodic winterkill also limits the fish community in Mustinka Lake. Pine Ridge County Park is located on the northwestern shore of the lake. The park provides a small boat access and shoreline fishing opportunities along the dam. Some anglers fish below the dam in the pool created by the outflow.Small walleye and northern pike are currently abundant in Mustinka Lake. Walleye catches averaged 10.5 fish per gill net. Most of the fish were age-2 that averaged about 13 inches in length in June of 2003. Walleye fry were stocked in three of the last five years, however this year class corresponds to a year of no stocking in 2001. Northern pike catches averaged 15.5 fish per net. Fish ranged from 17 to 25 inches in length and averaged about 1.8 pounds. Black crappie may also provide some angling opportunities in the near future. Most of the fish captured in 2003 were two year old fish that averaged about 7 inches in length.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, White Crappie, and Largemouth Bass in Mustinka River Flowage. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Mustinka River Flowage has a maximum depth of 10 feet and a mean depth of 4 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mustinka River Flowage is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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