Nashwauk

Nashwauk Lake (also known as Moose Lake) is a 144-acre lake located 7 miles northwest of Nashwauk in the Mississippi River watershed. Nashwauk Lake has a maximum depth of 53 feet and moderately clear water (7-foot Secchi depth). Nashwauk Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and panfish. The Fisheries Lake Management Plan was last revised in 2006. Goals of the plan were to maintain a Northern Pike gill net catch at 5.0 fish/net with 40% longer than 21 inches and 10% longer than 28 inches. Additional goals were to provide angling opportunities for Black Crappie, Bluegill and Largemouth Bass through natural reproduction. A standard survey was conducted in June of 2022 to determine the status of the fish community. The survey was truncated at 4 gill nets and 6 trap nets to avoid unneeded mortality of Tullibee. Similar but inconsistent numbers of nets have been used in past surveys. Tullibee appear(s) to be the predominant fish species in Nashwauk Lake and have occurred in high numbers compared to similar lakes in all surveys. The 2022 gill net catch of 88.3 per net was the highest observed. Sampled Tullibee ranged from 6.2 to 16.3 inches, with an average of 10.0 inches. Scales and otoliths were collected to estimate ages. Seven age-classes were represented with fish from age 1 to age 8 present. Fish averaged 12.9 inches after five years of growth. Nearly 45% of the fish examined had the parasite commonly called the Whitefish grub. The Northern Pike catch was low compared to similar lakes and lower than previous surveys of Nashwauk Lake. Low pike densities are desirable because they often result in populations with faster growth and favorable size quality. Gill-net sampled pike ranged from 16.3 to 37.3 inches and averaged 22.9 inches. Too few were captured to evaluate the size structure goals. Six age-classes were sampled with fish from age 2 to age 10 present. Growth estimates appeared slow considering the availability of Cisco as prey. Fish averaged 19.6 inches after four years of growth. Nashwauk Lake has produced moderate catches of Bluegill with moderate to good size quality. The 2022 trap net catch was typical compared to similar lakes and resembled past surveys. Size structure was good as Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.2 to 9.1 inches and averaged 6.4 inches. Ten age-classes were sampled with fish from age 2 to 11 present. Growth appeared slow with Bluegill averaging 7.9 inches after eight years of growth. Black Crappie have been present in low numbers on Nashwauk Lake and only five were sampled in 2022. Sampled crappie ranged from 7.5 to 11.9 inches. The sampled fish ranged from 4 to 8 years old and required more than six years to exceed 10 inches. Although large crappie have occasionally been observed, low numbers may limit the popularity of the fishery. Very few Walleye have been captured in test nets in Nashwauk Lake and none were sampled in 2022. Records indicate Walleye fry were stocked twice, once in 1986 and in 1988, but a fishery was not established. Yellow Perch appeared to be a minor component of the fish community and very few have been sampled. No perch were captured in the gill nets in 2022 and only six were captured in trap nets. Other species sampled in test nets included: Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, and White Sucker.

Nashwauk Lake (also known as Moose Lake) is a 144 acre lake located 7 miles northwest of Nashwauk, MN in the Mississippi River watershed. Nashwauk Lake has a maximum depth of 53 feet and moderately clear water (11 ft Secchi depth). Nashwauk Lake is managed primarily for northern pike and panfish.Tullibee appear(s) to be the predominant fish species in Nashwauk Lake. The 2005 gill-net catch rate for tullibee was 51.7/net, well above the normal range for this lake class. Net catches were also above the lake class normal range in the two previous assessments. In 2005, tullibee made up 61.7% of the total amount of fish/gill net by weight, and 84.9% of fish/net by number. Sampled tullibee ranged from 5.8 to 14.3 inches, with an average length of 10.2 inches. Scale analysis revealed ages 1 through 7 were represented in the sample, indicating consistent natural reproduction. The northern pike gill-net catch rate in 2005 (5.5/net) was near the lake class average and similar to previous assessments. Gill-net sampled pike varied from 16.1 to 31.3 inches with an average length of 20.5 inches. Ages 3-6 were represented in the sample and size structure was surprisingly poor. Growth rates were below the statewide average for ages 1-3 and similar to the statewide average for ages 4-6.The yellow perch gill-net catch in 2005 was low (2.2/net), but higher than previous assessments. Only one perch was sampled in the gill nets in 1985, and none were sampled in 1977.The trap-net catch rate for bluegill (26.9/net) was higher than in previous assessments but within the normal range. Size structure was modest; fish in the sample varied from 3.4 to 8.7 inches with an average length of 6.1 inches. Approximately 6% of the fish in the sample were over 8 inches in length. Growth rates were below the lake class average.Very few walleye have been captured in test nets in Nashwauk Lake. Only one walleye was sampled in 2005, a 30 inch specimen from a trap net. No walleye were sampled in the 1985 assessment and only 3 were captured in the 1977 survey. Records indicate walleye fry were stocked twice, in 1986 and 1988.The trap-net catch for black crappie in 2005 (0.8/net) was near the first quartile and similar to previous assessments. Sampled black crappie ranged from 6.8 to 10.4 inches and had an average length of 8.9 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average.Other species sampled in test nets included: bowfin, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, and white sucker.

Tullibees are 14 times above the averages. Northern pike, yellow bullheads, pumpkinseeds are also above the averages. All other species are below.

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

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

Nashwauk has a maximum depth of 53 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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