Stingy

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Stingy Lake was conducted on August 19th, 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 seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten 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 four stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted on August 19th, 2024 by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number, and Walleye and Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Black Crappie sampled per net was above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 29 lakes. Conversely, the number of Bluegill sampled per net was below the 50% quartile for Lake Class 29 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2022 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., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and 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. An additional survey was completed on Stingy Lake in July 2022 resulting in a lower, but similar FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Fisheries IBI program staff also conducted a survey of lakeshore habitat on Stingy Lake on June 27th, 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The survey consisted of 37 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 90.1 (±2.5) out of 100 possible, which indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-91.9). Approximately 19 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 65.7 (±7.6) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 95.8 (±1.0) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality. Data from this survey indicates Stingy Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Stingy Lake is located about 18 miles north of Nashwauk, MN, with a small earthen access on the southwest corner. The lake is relatively shallow with moderate fertility and moderately low shoreline development. The fisheries lake management plan was last revised in 2015. Walleye and Black Crappie were the primary management species with goals of maintaining a Walleye catch rate near 4.6/gill net and a Black Crappie catch rate near 1.8/trap net. Bluegill and Northern Pike were considered a secondary management species with no goals. Walleye are actively managed by stocking Mississippi River strain at a rate of 1,000 fry/littoral acre in odd years. A standard survey was conducted in June 2022 to collect updated information on the fishery. The Walleye catch was better than lakes with comparable habitat. Past catches tended to be variable but have mostly been better than average. However, the management goal is ambitious and only attained twice. Lengths of gill net sampled fish ranged from 8.0 to 22.6 inches with an average of 14.6 inches. The size distribution was comparable to the previous survey. Scale analysis identified eight age classes between 1 to 9. Odd year fry stocking appeared to have contributed to year class strength. Consecutive ages suggest modest natural reproduction which could possibly be substantial at times. Growth was fast early but slowed to near the statewide average by age 2. Walleye averaged 16 inches by age 4. Black Crappie were sampled in both trap nets and gill nets. The trap net catch was lower than expected while the gill net catch was better than expected. Past catches were variable but seldom abundant. The management goal was not attained. The goal may be difficult to attain due to survey timing and year-class strengths. Year-classes appeared irregular. Five year-classes between ages 2 to 9 were sampled. Ages 2 and 3 comprised 54% of the expanded sample. Growth was similar to the statewide average. Lengths ranged from 4.9 to 9.8 inches with an average of 7.7 inches in the gill net sample, but fish up to 12 inches were sampled with trap nets. Age and length distributions suggest the popularity of the fishery is determined by the ages of the largest year-classes. Age 2 and 3 crappie averaged 5.6 and 7.6 inches. Northern Pike are not abundant in Stingy Lake. Catches have been below average in all surveys when compared with lakes of similar habitat. Low catches are conducive to growing larger pike. Unfortunately, the size distribution suggests small pike are common, yet the lake has the potential to occasionally produce large fish. Lengths ranged from 21.3 to 30.7 inches with an average of 26.4 inches. Three year-classes were identified between ages 4 to 7 from a sample too small to assess recruitment (n=7). Growth was above average for early ages but slowed to the statewide average by age 5. Northern Pike averaged 25.7 inches by age 5. Stingy Lake has the potential to grow larger pike and anglers are encouraged to limit harvest of pike longer than 26 inches. Bluegill were the most abundant species sampled in trap nets. Past catches were variable, but mostly below average for lakes of similar habitat. Variable catches tend to be common for this lake class. Lengths ranged from 2.8 to 8.4 inches with an average of 4.3 inches. Size structure was poor and similar to past surveys. Scale analysis identified eight year classes between ages 2 and 9 with a high proportion of younger fish. Growth was comparable to lake type averages for younger fish but improved to above average by age 5. Bluegill averaged 6 inches by age 5. The Yellow Perch gill net catch was the highest observed, yet below average for comparable lakes. Lengths ranged from 5.2 to 9.6 inches with an average of 6.9 inches. Despite the low catches it appears the population is capable of supporting a modest Walleye population. Other species sampled included Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass and White Sucker.

Stingy Lake is located in northeast Itasca County about 18 miles north of Nashwauk, MN in the Mississippi River watershed. The lake has a surface area of 378 acres and a maximum depth of 25 feet. Stingy Lake is in ecological lake class 29. Other area lakes in this class include Beauty, Five Island and Wilson Lakes. The current lake management plan lists Walleye and Black Crappie as the primary species of management. Past management included Walleye fry stocking in odd-numbered years; however, the 2011 and 2013 stockings were not accomplished as originally scheduled. The 2014 population assessment evaluated Walleye natural reproduction during a period of several consecutive non-stocked years. The 2014 Walleye gill-net catch was near the lake class median at 1.7/net, but down from the previous three surveys. Historical catches have ranged from 0.3 to 7.0/net. Sampled Walleye varied from 11.2 to 21.9 inches with a mean length of 15.8 inches. Ages 2, 4, 5 and 7 were identified in the sample, with 50% of the sample attributed to non-stocked years. Walleye growth was considered average with fish reaching 16 inches in 4 years. Some natural reproduction of Walleye is evident in Stingy Lake, but it appears supplemental fry stocking is needed to achieve management goals. The Black Crappie gill-net catch was 1.4/net, compared to the lake class interquartile range of 1.0 to 4.8/net. Black Crappie size structure was poor, with fish ranging from 4.9 to 8.9 inches and having a mean length of 6.7 inches. Ages 2-5 were represented, but age 2 fish (less than 6 inches long) made up approximately half of the sample. Growth was similar to the lake class average with crappie exceeding 8 inches at age 4. Northern Pike gill-net catches in Stingy Lake have typically been below the normal range for this lake class. The 2014 assessment was no exception with a catch rate of 4.4/net. Size structure was modest; sampled pike ranged from 18.7 to 36.4 inches with a mean length of 22.3 inches. Ages 2-6, and 10 were identified; with age 3 fish making up nearly half the sample. Growth of pike was slightly above average with fish exceeding 23 inches at age 4. The Yellow Perch gill-net catch was below the lake class first quartile at 0.8/net. Yellow Perch net catches have been low in all previous surveys. Sampled perch ranged from 5.9 to 8.4 inches with a mean length of 7.0 inches. Yellow perch are an important prey species for predator fish like Walleye and Northern Pike. The trap-net catch rate for Bluegill was near the lake class first quartile at 8.2/net. Catches in the two previous assessments were substantially higher, but those surveys occurred slightly later in the summer. The 2014 assessment was seasonally the earliest ever conducted on Stingy Lake, so the catch rate may not be comparable to other surveys. During the June 2014 assessment, water temperatures were in the 60's and it appeared the Bluegill had not yet started to spawn. Size structure of Bluegill was relatively poor. Sampled Bluegill ranged from 2.6 to 8.7 inches with a mean length of 4.9 inches. Ages 2-8 were represented, with a high proportion of younger fish. Age 3-4 fish made up 58% of the sample. Growth was faster than the lake class average with Bluegill exceeding 6 inches at age 5. Other species sampled in this assessment included Black Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Stingy has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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