Poplar

Poplar Lake is located about 10 miles northwest of Togo, MN. The lake is 110 acres with a max depth of 50 feet. About 25 percent of the surface area is littoral. Access is gained through an outlet channel to Lorraine Lake, which is occasionally blocked by beavers. Northern pike were sampled at a rate within the expected range for lakes similar to Poplar. Size structure appears moderate, indicated by an average length of almost 24 inches for sampled fish. Anglers are reminded they can help maintain a quality pike fishery by releasing fish larger than 24 inches. Growth was near the statewide average as northern pike typically exceeded 24 inches by age 6. Black crappie were sampled above the expected range in gill nets, yet the trap net catch rate was less than expected. Both gears sampled crappie within the expected range in the previous assessment. Size structure appears relatively good with about 38% of the crappies sampled in gill nets exceeding 10 inches. Growth was slow for ages one and two and similar to the statewide average for all others. Black crappie averaged ten inches by age six. Bluegill were the most abundant fish sampled in trap nets, within the expected range. Previously, the bluegill catch was less than expected, conducive to a quality size structure. Similar to the previous assessment, the bluegill population was dominated by fish less than 8 inches (99%), indicating poor size structure. Bluegill averaged almost eight inches by age 8. Both gears sampled largemouth bass within the expected range, but this may not accurately represent the population due to net avoidance, typical of bass. Lengths ranged up to almost 15 inches. Only one largemouth was sampled in the previous assessment. Ages one through six were present in the sample. Largemouth bass averaged 12 inches by age 5. Yellow perch and tullibee were both sampled at relatively low abundance, similar to the previous assessment. The average yellow perch size was small and of little interest to anglers, while Triaenophorus was present in 75% of the tullibee sampled. Other species sampled include pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, and white sucker.

TLC AND N PIKE ARE ABOVE STATE MEDIANS. THE REST OF THE SPECIES ARE ABOUT EVEN.

Panfish population is below state & local medians. Crappies are fairly abundant in lake and quite large. All other fish populations are within nrml limits for this type of lake.

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

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

Poplar has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Poplar is from 2008. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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