Lower Panasa

Lower Panasa Lake is a shallow, productive lake located 1.5 miles southeast of Calumet, MN in the Mississippi River watershed. Similar area lakes would include Little Split Hand and Jay Gould. The 2015 lake management plan (LMP) listed Walleye as a primary management species, with Black Crappie and Northern Pike as a secondary management species. The goal was to increase the Walleye catch to 3.0 fish/net. A standard survey using 5 gill nets and 8 trap nets was conducted in August 2024 to assess the status of the fishery. Black Crappie catches have generally been low in Lower Panasa. The 2024 catch of 2.5/trap net was better than other lakes with similar habitat and was the second highest since 1974. Sampled crappie ranged from 7.9 to 11.9 inches and averaged 10.1 inches. Only three year-classes were observed with fish ranging from age 3 to 5. Growth was fast compared to other lakes. Fish averaged 9.6 inches after four years of growth. Quality Black Crappie angling opportunities exist when strong year-classes reach a size anglers desire. The Bluegill population can be characterized as having low numbers of moderate sized fish. Trap-net catch rates increased from 1.1/net in 2014 to 8.4/net in 2024. Size structure from the trap nets was generally good with nearly 47% of the Bluegill exceeding 8 inches. Sampled fish ranged from 3.1 to 9.8 inches and averaged 7.8 inches. Lower Panasa likely provides decent Bluegill fishing opportunities at times. Northern Pike catches have often been about average compared to other lakes with similar habitat. Pike were sampled at a rate of 8.2/gill net in 2024. Northern Pike ranged from 14.5 to 28.4 inches and averaged 21.8 inches. Few fish over 28 inches have ever been sampled. Lower Panasa is known for having higher numbers of smaller pike and these population attributes are not desirable because they result in slow growth. Anglers and spearers are encouraged to keep fish under 22 inches and not harvest fish over 26 inches to improve size structure. Attempts to create a Walleye fishery in Lower Panasa have been tried despite these types of lakes not having the habitat to succeed. Walleye catches have ranged from 0.8 to 3.3 fish/gill net but has been 1.2/gill net in the last two surveys. The 2024 survey evaluated a period where Walleye fry or fingerlings were stocked five times in the prior 10 years. The catch of 1.2/gill net failed to meet the management goal of 3.0/net. Walleye ranged from 16.8 to 27.0 inches and averaged 20.4 inches. Sample sizes were too low to evaluate age and growth. Recent survey data suggests Walleye are poorly suited for Lower Panasa. Yellow Perch catches have been relatively high compared to other lakes with similar habitat. In 2024, perch were sampled at 19.6/gill net. Yellow Perch ranged from 5.4 to 8.0 inches and averaged 6.1 inches. Yellow Perch are likely more important as a prey than a species of interest to anglers based on their poor size structure. Other species sampled included Black, Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, and White Sucker.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lower Panasa Lake was conducted on June 26th, 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 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 four stations, a 15-foot seine was used at four stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with gill net and trap net data from an August 2024 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. 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 Lower Panasa Lake on June 5th, 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The survey consisted of 35 survey sites evenly spaced 150 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 (±0.9) out of 100 possible, which indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-91.9). All survey sites were undeveloped lakeshore and had a mean score of 90.1 (±0.9) with High (85-91.9) habitat quality. Data from this survey indicates Lower Panasa Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score 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.

Lower Panasa Lake is located 1.5 miles southeast of Calumet, Minnesota in the Mississippi River Watershed. Lower Panasa Lake has a total surface area of 254 acres, a littoral area of 169 acres (67%), and a maximum depth of 25 feet. The lake is moderately fertile and the Secchi depth was 2.6 feet in 2014. The lake has one inlet and one outlet, both by the name Panasa Creek. The Lower Panasa Lake outlet flows into the Swan River. The lake is managed for Walleye, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike. A population assessment was conducted in August of 2014 to assess the fish community. This assessment consisted of 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets. Yellow Perch were the most common fish in the gill net sample. The catch of 44.5 per net was high compared to similar lakes, but typical for Lower Panasa. Lengths ranged from 5.1 to 9.8 inches and averaged 6.3 inches. Size structure was poor, as few fish exceeded the quality size of 8 inches. Perch populations often exhibit variable year class production. Only 4 year classes were present (ages 2-5) and the 2011 year class comprised 68% of the sample. Growth was near the statewide average, as perch averaged 7.5 inches by age 5. Poor size structure may limit angler popularity in Lower Panasa, but perch provide an important prey item for Walleye and Northern Pike. Northern Pike catches have been variable but generally appear to increase over time. Northern Pike populations typically exhibit density dependent growth. Average size and growth are typically poor when Northern Pike occur at high densities. The 2014 catch of 11.0 per gill net was typical for lakes with similar habiatats and near the long term average for Lower Panasa. Past samples have resulted in moderate size structure with few fish exceeding the angler preferred size of 28 inches. Pike length ranged from 14.8 to 27.9 inches and averaged 21.2 inches in 2014, and size structure was poor, as no captured fish exceeded 28 inches. Five year classes were present (age 2-6) and growth was near the statewide average as pike grew to 26.4 inches by age 6. Similar lakes typically do not support large Walleye catches and past samples from Lower Panasa have resulted in a Walleye catch of less than 3.5 per gill net, despite frequent stocking. The 2014 catch of 1.2 per gill net was within the expected range for the lake class and near the long term median for Lower Panasa. Walleye length ranged from 10 to 25 inches with an average of 19.2 inches. Size structure was good as 43% of the sampled Walleye exceeded the angler preferred length of 20 inches. Past assessment have shown the Walleye population is maintained primarily by fry stocking. Six of the seven captured Walleye in 2014 corresponded to a fry stocked year. Growth was fast as Walleye averaged 19.8 inches by age 5. Black Crappie populations often exhibit irregular recruitment resulting in dominant year classes, shifting age and size structures, and inconsistent angler success. Crappie catches have varied considerably in Lower Panasa Lake. No crappie were captured in the gill net in 2014, and the trap net catch of 0.6 per net was less than expected. Captured crappie were generally small, averaging 5.2 inches. Poor size and low abundance may limit the popularity of the crappie fishery. Other species sampled include Black Bullhead, Bluegill, Bowfin, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, and Yellow Bullhead. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

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

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

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

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

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