Eagle

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Eagle Lake on July 29th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 78.1 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 16.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 17.0 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 0.1 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present but marginal. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.1 degrees C (70.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco at the time of the survey as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Eagle Lake during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Eagle Lake is located seven miles north of Park Rapids in west-central Hubbard County. Eagle has a surface area of 424 acres and a maximum depth of 77 feet. A DNR owned public access is located on the west shore of the lake off US-71. Access is also available by small craft from Island Lake which lies to the north of Eagle or Potato which lies to the south. Eagle is a very popular lake for fishing and water recreation during the summer. Eagle provides angling opportunities for Walleye, and Northern Pike, and Panfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Eagle is in class 25. Class 25 lakes are generally deep, very clear, have hard water, and are irregularly shaped. Other class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids management include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, Big Mantrap, Dead (Upper Ojibway), Island, Little Mantrap, Little Sand, Spider, Straight, Third Crow Wing, Two Inlets, and West Crooked. Walleye abundance was in line with recent surveys, and above the management goal. Most fish were spread out evenly in size from 12 - 20 inches. A strong class of 7.5 - 11 inch Walleye should provide good angling in future years. Walleye sampled had an average length of 15.2 inches with fish measuring up to 27.8 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye were sampled in low numbers but some of the largest were a suitable size for anglers. Northern Pike abundance was up and was the fourth highest recorded number for all surveys on Eagle. Northern Pike numbers in past surveys have generally fluctuated in moderate numbers for this lake class. Anglers will find the Northern Pike population spread out from 14 - 30 inches in length, with around half of them from 18 - 22 inches. Northern Pike sampled had an average length of 21 inches and weighed 1.9 pounds. Eagle supports a good Black Crappie population and angling for them is popular year-round. Anglers will find Black Crappie in the 9.5 - 13 inch size range. Eagle also provides good fishing for Bluegill and Pumpkinseed; with some nicer fish up to 9 inches. Currently, no Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have been identified in Eagle. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Eagle Lake was conducted beginning on July 27th, 2020 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 10 sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used at six stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 24 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Banded Killifish, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Fathead Minnow). A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted July 27th-28th, 2020 by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed Sunfish comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number, and Northern Pike and Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Bluegill and Pumpkinseeds per net were both between the 25th and 50th quartiles for similar Lake Class 25 lakes, while the mean weight of Bluegill were also between the 25th and 50th quartiles for Lake Class 25 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data was combined with gill net data from a July 2017 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. Banded Killifish, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Green Sunfish, Fathead Minnows, 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. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Eagle has a maximum depth of 77 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Eagle is from 2022.

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