Francis

A survey of nearshore fish species was conducted on Francis Lake on June 19, 2024 by Hinckley fisheries staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the shoreline and each site was sampled by electrofishing, and/or seining. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish: Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Bowfin, Northern Pike, Green Sunfish, Brown Bullhead, Common Shiner, Golden Shiner, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, Black Bullhead, and Fathead Minnow. The nearshore fish survey data is combined with gill net and trap net data from previous Francis Lake surveys to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. The FIBI score for Francis Lake based on this survey is below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Lake Francis is a 301-acre lake in southern Isanti County located four miles west of Isanti, MN, and is within the Rum River watershed. The lake is shallow, extremely fertile, and turbid. It has a maximum depth of seven feet and an average depth of four feet. There are two inlets on the west side and one outlet at the dam in the northeast corner that flows east to the Rum River. Water clarity is low and is typically less than 2 feet. The low water clarity limits aquatic plant growth. A recent aquatic vegetation survey found no plants at 84% of its 61 sample sites. Due to the shallow turbid water and high water temperatures, partial fish kills are common in the spring and summer. During the winter months, low oxygen levels resulting from the decomposition of organic matter can also result in partial fish kills. Fish migration from the Rum River during high flow events repopulate the lake. Substrates are primarily sand and muck. The lake is highly developed on its east and west shorelines. A small, shallow, gravel, county owned public access is located on the southeast corner of the lake with parking for six rigs. Anglers visiting Francis Lake can expect angling success for numerous species. The Bluegill catch rate was average, but larger fish between 8 and 9 inches were present. Black Crappies had high catch rates, and fish over 10 inches were present. Largemouth Bass sampled electrofishing were low in number, but twenty percent were over 15 inches. Bass up to 19.7 inches were sampled. Eighty-six percent of the Northern Pike sampled by gillnets exceeded 24 inches with sixty-six percent being 30 inches or better, indicating good angling opportunities for quality sized pike. A 35 and 36 inch pike were sampled. Yellow Perch catch rates were high; however, most perch were smaller than most anglers would prefer to keep. The 2024 Bluegill trap net catch rate of 21/net was the highest observed. Bluegill ranged from 4.7 to 9.5 inches with a 6.1 inch average. The 2013 catch rate was lower (6.9/net), while the average size was higher (8.1 inches). Bluegills over 9 inches were sampled in 2013 and 2024, while Bluegill over 8 inches were not observed in previous surveys. The 2024 Black Crappie gillnet and trap net catches were lower in 2024 when compared with those from 2013. The gill net catch was 11/net in 2024 and compares to 243/net in 2013, while the trap net catch was 19/net in 2024 and compares with 33/net in 2013. The 2013 Crappie catch rates were the highest ever. Although catch rates were lower with both gears in 2024, catch rates were high when compared to other area lakes. Crappie ranged in length from 3.8 to 11.3 inches. Crappies over ten inches have been sampled in each of the past four surveys, while crappies over 12 inches were sampled in 2003. Nighttime electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was conducted in May of 2003, 2013, and 2024. In 2024, bass were sampled at a rate of 34/hour, compared to 7/hour in 2013 and 3/hr in 2003. Although the catch rate has increased in each of the three surveys, it is still relatively low compared with area lakes. Bass average length decreased from 15.1 inches in 2013 to 13.1 inches in 2024. The largest bass sampled in 2024 was 19.7 inches. Anglers can expect to catch low numbers of moderate sized bass. A low number of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets during the 2024 survey. The 15 pike sampled ranged from 20.2 to 36.4 inches and had a 29-inch average. The average length of pike sampled by gill nets in 2013 was 24 inches. The 35 and 36 inch pike sampled in 2024 were the largest ever sampled. Pike catch rates decreased from 5.3/net in 2013 to 2.5/net in 2024, which compares to the lake average of 3.5/net. Estimated ages from cleithra indicated six year classes from age-4 through age-9 were present in 2024. Yellow Perch catch rates decreased from the 2013 survey but remain high when compared with area lakes. Perch gill net catch rates decreased from (139/net) in 2013 to (76/net) in 2024. Perch ranged from 5.1 to 11.1 inches and had an average length of 7.4 inches in 2024. The average length was the same in 2013. Although most perch are smaller than anglers prefer, they are the primary prey source for most predator gamefish targeted by anglers. There were no Walleyes sampled during the 2024 survey. Although 600,00 Walleye fry were stocked in seven of the past eight years, along with 2,650 fingerlings in 2023, none were sampled. While none were sampled in gill nets and trap nets, none were also observed while electrofishing for Largemouth Bass. Potential reasons include the high numbers of Bluegill and Black Crappie, warm summer water temperatures, and periodic low oxygen levels. Other species sampled included Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Common Shiner, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Lake Francis is 301 acres with a maximum depth of eight feet. The lake is extremely fertile and turbid. The low water clarity inhibits aquatic plant growth. Although complete kills are rare, winter oxygen levels often drop low enough to cause some fish mortality. Fish migration from the Rum River repopulates the lake with gamefish, common Carp, and White Sucker. A small public access is located on the southeast end of the lake with parking for six rigs, which tends to limit summer angling pressure. Winter angling pressure has been high in recent years. Anglers visiting Francis Lake can expect quality angling for numerous species. Black Crappies were extremely abundant. Three fourths of Crappies sampled by the trapnets exceeded nine inches in length. Although the bulk of Crappies sampled by gillnet were between 5 and 6 inches, more than a fourth of that catch exceeded 9 inches as well. The Bluegill catch was more typical of the lake type but they too should provide excellent angling opportunity with 75% of the trapnet sample in excess of 8 inches. The Northern Pike were oriented to the shoreline resulting in a higher catch in the trapnets than in the gillnets. Eighty six percent of the pike sampled by trapnets exceeded 24 inches with thirty nine percent 30 inches or better. The Walleye population, a result of fry stocking following low winter oxygen levels in 2009 and 2010, was a little higher than in most similar lakes. All of these 3 and 4 year old fish were over 16 inches in length. Like Crappies, Yellow Perch were extremely abundant. Perch should provide additional harvest opportunity with nearly a fourth of the catch (23%) eight inches or better. Largemouth Bass were not particularly numerous but most were between 14 and 19 inches.

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

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

Francis has a maximum depth of 7 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 Francis is from 2024.

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