Evergreen

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Evergreen Lake was conducted on July 22nd-23rd, 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 ten sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due soft sediments and thick vegetation. Similarly, a boat assisted 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations, a 15-foot seine was used at six stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-one species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured nine species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Yellow Perch comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Northern Pike comprised a majority by biomass; however, catches were light. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a May 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., 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 provide evidence that the fish community in Evergreen 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 Evergreen Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River- Headwaters Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Evergreen Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Evergreen Lake (29-0227-00) is a 213.31-acre lake with a maximum depth of 38 feet located near Lake George, MN. Park Rapids Fisheries staff conducted a survey targeting near shore fish species on July 18, 2023, to assess populations of non-game 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 conditions. During this assessment, six sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at four sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at all 10 sites with one being conducted from the side of the boat. Nearshore sampling captured twelve species of fish including three species intolerant of disturbance; Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, and Blacknose Shiner. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Black Bullhead, Central Mudminnow, Green Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gill net and trap net catch data from a standard fisheries survey conducted on May 30, 2023 to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Evergreen Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Evergreen Lake is located in the Mississippi River - Headwaters Watershed.

Evergreen Lake is located in northern Hubbard County, eight miles north of the town of Lake George. Evergreen has a surface area of 213 acres and a maximum depth of 38 feet. A county-owned public access with an earthen ramp is located on the north shore off Schoolcraft Trail. Evergreen provides angling opportunities for Northern Pike, panfish, Largemouth Bass, and a bonus Walleye population. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Evergreen in in lake class 31. Class 31 lakes have hard water and a regularly shaped shoreline. Other class 31 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Crow Wing Lakes, Boulder, Duck, Lower Twin, Hattie, Hinds, and Tripp. Anglers can expect to find an abundant Northern Pike population, dominated by small sized fish. Sampled Northern Pike had an average length of 20.5 inches and weight of 2.0 pounds, with fish measured up to 35.8 inches. Present and past surveys have shown the panfish populations to fluctuate from low to moderate numbers in Evergreen. Good numbers of Bluegill in the 6-8 inch size range and Black Crappie in the 9-10 inch size range were sampled. Walleye were sampled in low numbers. Walleye abundance in past surveys has fluctuated from low to moderate numbers. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Northern Pike and Walleye were sampled in moderate numbers with fish measured up to 9.1 inches. Evergreen supports a low to moderate Largemouth Bass population when compared to other class 31 lakes. Largemouth Bass were not sampled in the 2023 survey but were sampled in moderate numbers in the 2018 survey using spring electrofishing gear to specifically target Largemouth Bass populations. Other species sampled included moderate numbers of Rock Bass and Golden Shiner, and low numbers of Yellow Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Green Sunfish, and Tadpole Madtom. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Evergreen. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Evergreen. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Evergreen has a maximum depth of 38 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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