Kabekona

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kabekona Lake was conducted on July 11-17, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 24 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 22 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 28 species of fish including 11 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Northern Sunfish, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 11 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Rock Bass and Yellow Perch comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Walleye and Bowfin comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (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. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow and Common Carp). 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Kabekona Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Kabekona Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Kabekona Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Kabekona Lake (29-0075-00) is a 2,433.40-acre lake with a maximum depth of 133 feet located near Laporte, MN. Park Rapids Fisheries staff conducted a survey targeting near shore fish species on July 11 and 12, 2023, to assess populations of non-game and small sport fish. Twenty-four 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat conditions. During this assessment, ten sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine and fourteen sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine. Backpack electrofishing was done at all 24 sites. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-three species of fish including five species intolerant of disturbance; Banded Killifish, Burbot, Log Perch, Mimic Shiner, and Molted Sculpin. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Black Bullhead, Bluntnose Minnow, Bowfin, Brook Stickleback, Common Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Johnny Darter, Iowa Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Northern Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gill net and trap net catch data from a standard fisheries survey conducted on June 20, 2023 to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Kabekona Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Kabekona Lake is located in the Leech Lake River Watershed.

Kabekona Lake is located three miles south of Laporte in Hubbard County. Kabekona has a surface area of 2,433 acres and a maximum depth of 133 feet. A county-owned public access is located on the west shore of the lake off MN Highway 64. Kabekona is known for its Walleye fishery, but also provides fishing opportunities for Yellow Perch and Northern Pike. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Kabekona is in lake class 22. Class 22 lakes generally are very large, very deep, with very irregularly shaped shoreline with clean and hard water and a low littoral area (depth under 15 feet). Other class 22 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Lower Bottle, Long, Potato, and Big Sand. Kabekona has a special Walleye regulation which consists of a 20-26 inch protected slot with one over 26 inches and a possession limit of four. Walleye abundance in the 2023 survey was down from recent surveys. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 17.0 to 29.4 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye were sampled in low numbers for this lake class. Yellow Perch had an average length of 6.4 inches with fish measured up to 9.9 inches. Present and past surveys have shown the Northern Pike population in Kabekona to fluctuate from low to moderate abundance. Northern Pike up to 31.5 inches were sampled. Kabekona supports an abundant Tullibee (Cisco) population and a low to moderate Lake Whitefish population for anglers or netters looking to pursue those species. A Tullibee (Cisco) forage base provides an excellent forage base for larger Walleye and Northern Pike. Other species sampled included high numbers of White Sucker and Rock Bass and low numbers of Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Burbot, Bowfin, and Brook Trout. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Kabekona. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

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

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

Kabekona has a maximum depth of 133 feet and a mean depth of 53 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kabekona is from 2024.

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