Palmer

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Palmer Lake was conducted on August 2, 2021, 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 all 10 sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 10 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2021 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., Green Sunfish). 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 indicate that the fish community in Palmer Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Palmer Lake is located in southeastern Hubbard County, 15 miles southeast of Park Rapids. Palmer Lake has a surface area of 146 acres and a maximum depth of 21 feet. There is a county-owned earthen public access located on the northeast shore of the lake. Anglers and boaters should be aware that the access is narrow and parking is limited. Palmer Lake has clear water and provides angling for Largemouth Bass, Panfish, and Walleye. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Palmer Lake is in lake class 29. Class 29 lakes are characterized as having a large littoral area (water depth less than 15 feet deep) and a regular shaped shoreline. Other class 29 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Cedar, Little Island, Mirage, Mow, Tenth Crow Wing and Spirit. Palmer Lake supports a healthy Largemouth Bass population when compared to other area lakes. Good water quality, aquatic vegetation cover, and spawning substrate provide excellent habitat for Largemouth Bass in Palmer Lake. Anglers will find good numbers of bass in the 13 - 18 inch size range. Palmer Lake can provide good angling for both Bluegill and Black Crappie. The Bluegill population in Palmer fluctuates from moderate to high numbers. Anglers will find most Bluegill in the 5.5 - 8 inch size range. Black Crappie are less abundant, as their populations tend to cycle from low to moderate numbers. The 2022 sample had low numbers of crappie, with the largest being 10.6 inches. Walleye abundance was up from recent surveys and above the range for similar type lakes. Good numbers of Walleye in both the 10 - 13 and 15 - 17 inch size ranges were sampled, with no Walleyes over 19 inches sampled. Currently, no Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have been identified in Palmer Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boats before leaving the access.

Palmer Lake (29-0087-00) is a 146-acre lake with a maximum depth of 21 feet located southeast of Park Rapids, MN. A survey targeting near shore fish species was conducted by Park Rapids Fisheries Staff on 28 June 2017 to assess populations of non-game species and small sport fish. Ten 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 condition. During this assessment, four sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine and four sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at two sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at all ten sites, several of which were conducted from the side of the boat. Nearshore sampling captured several species of fish including two species intolerant of disturbance such as Banded Killifish, and Blacknose Shiner. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Spotfin Shiner, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gillnet and trapnet catch data from a survey on 27 June 2017, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of the health of Palmer Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Palmer Lake is located in the Crow Wing River Watershed.

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

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

Palmer has a maximum depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Palmer is from 2021.

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