Holman

A targeted survey using fine mesh nets was completed to determine if potental Rainbow Smelt escapement from upstream waters had resulted in the establishment of a population in Holman Lake. No smelt were captured during the survey.

Holman Lake is a 146 acre lake located 3 miles east of Bovey, MN. Holman Lake has clear water and a maximum depth of 65 feet. There is a township-owned public access on the northeast shore near the swimming beach. The lake management plan (LMP) was last updated in 2010. Bluegill and Largemouth Bass were considered primary management species and Black Crappie and Northern Pike were considered secondary species. A standard lake survey was conducted in June 2019 to assess the status of the fish community. Holman Lake has typically produced Bluegill in low numbers with average size structure and growth. The 2019 catch rate was below the typical range for lakes with similar habitat. Bluegill size structure was moderate; sampled fish ranged from 3.5 to 8.6 inches with an average length of 6.9 inches. Six year classes were observed, with fish up to 8 years old. Growth was typical for this type of lake with Bluegill averaging 6.7 inches at age 6. Anglers can help maintain or improve size structure by releasing sunfish longer than 8 inches. Previous surveys with night electrofishing indicated Largemouth Bass are fairly abundant. Night electrofishing was not conducted in 2019 due to time constraints. Low numbers of bass were sampled in gill nets and trap nets. Catch rates were typical for Holman Lake and lakes with similar habitat. Sampled fish ranged from 7.6 to 13.4 inches. Holman Lake likely provides fair angling opportunities for bass. Northern Pike were the most common fish sampled in the gill nets. Holman Lake has generally produced moderate to high catches of Northern Pike with poor size structure and average growth. The 2019 gill-net catch rate was average for the lake class but was the lowest catch recorded for Holman. Northern Pike size structure was poor; fish ranged from 14.7 to 22.4 inches with a mean length of 18.0 inches. Ages 2 through 6 were represented, but a majority of the fish were age 3 or younger. Growth was relatively slow; Northern Pike averaged 18.1 inches at age 4. Net catches of Black Crappie have typically been low compared to similar lakes. Low numbers were sampled in 2019, too few to characterize age or size structure. Several year classes were represented though, with fish ranging from 4.3 to 10.8 inches. Gill-net catches for Yellow Perch have been low in all surveys. The 2019 catch was the below the typical range for similar lakes but comparable to the previous survey. Sampled perch were large, however, averaging 10.4 inches from the gill nets. The lack of Yellow Perch likely limits production of larger gamefish like Northern Pike. Other species sampled in the latest survey included Bowfin, Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, and Shorthead and Silver Redhorse.

Rainbow smelt are an invasive, regulated species in Minnesota. Smelt have not been previously reported or collected from Holman Lake, but a viable population exists in the nearby Canisteo Pit. The Canisteo Pit has a long history of rising water levels and several options were under consideration to alleviate potential flooding of pit adjacent communities. One proposal was made to discharge pit water from Canisteo Pit into Holman Lake, creating a probable vector of smelt introduction into the lake. Given the sensitivity of proposed project, data was needed to indicate if rainbow smelt were already in Holman Lake. Four small mesh gill nets were deployed for one night on Holman Lake. The nets were set to target rainbow smelt in an attempt to determine the presence of that species in Holman Lake. No smelt were captured or observed. Net catches were generally low and included black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, bluntnose minnow, tadpole madtom, and yellow perch. Given the catches of several species known from Holman Lake and the absence of smelt in the gill nets, it is reasonable to assume that a viable smelt population does not currently exist in Holman Lake.

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

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

Holman has a maximum depth of 65 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Holman is from 2019.

Yes — Holman has confirmed flowering rush. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.