Lawrence

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lawrence Lake was conducted on July 24th-25th, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine (one boat assisted seine). Nearshore sampling captured fifteen species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 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 and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead). 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Lawrence Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score well above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Lawrence Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River- Grand Rapids assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Lawrence Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species. Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Lawrence Lake on June 5th, 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 48 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 81.1 (+/- 2.5) out of 100 possible. A score of 81.1 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Moderately High (80-84.9). Approximately 46 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 69.1 (+/- 3.8) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Moderately Poor (66-69.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 91.2 (+/- 1.6) with High (85-91.9) habitat quality.

Lawrence Lake is a 395 acre lake located 9 miles north of Taconite, MN. The lake is part of the Prairie River system and can experience large fluctuations in water levels. The lake has a state-owned public access on the southwest shore. Most of the shoreline is in private ownership and is relatively developed. The Fisheries Lake Management Plan (LMP) was last updated in 2011. Northern Pike and Black Crappie were considered primary management species and Walleye were considered secondary management species. A standard lake survey was conducted in August 2022 to update information on the fishery. Lawrence Lake has a history of producing relatively high numbers of small crappie. Black Crappie were the most common fish sampled in the gill nets. The catch of 6.8/net was average for the lake and similar type lakes. Lengths were similar to previous surveys and ranged from 4.3 to 9.8 inches with an average of 6.9 inches. Ages 1 through 8 were represented in the sample, with age-1 and -2 fish the most frequently sampled. Growth was considered slow with crappie averaging 8.0 inches after 5 years of growth. Northern Pike were sampled at a catch rate of 2.1/gill net. This catch was below average for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. Lower catch rates are desirable because they may contribute to faster growth and better size structure. Pike lengths resembled the previous survey ranging from 18.3 to 26.6 inches with an average of 22.4 inches. Four year-classes were represented in the sample (ages 3-5, and 7) with average growth. Pike averaged 22.5 inches after 5 years of growth. Pike exceeding 28 inches were sampled in historical surveys but not in recent years. Anglers are encouraged to release larger Northern Pike to improve size structure. Walleye were sampled at 0.8/gill net. This catch was below average for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. Walleye gill-net catches have generally been low in Lawrence, only exceeding 2/net twice in seven surveys. Lengths from the seven sampled fish ranged from 15.6 to 20.3 inches with an average of 17.1 inches. Meaningful evaluations of size structure and growth cannot be drawn from such a small sample size. Due to connectivity with the Prairie River system, Walleye abundance in Lawrence Lake likely fluctuates on a seasonal basis. Lawrence Lake has typically produced Bluegill in low numbers with moderate size structure. The trap-net catch of 5.9/net was average for the lake. Size structure was very poor. Only 6% of the sample exceeded 6 inches. Sampled fish ranged from 3.0 to 8.0 inches, but averaged only 3.8 inches. The sample was dominated by age-1 and -2 fish less than 4 inches long. Angling opportunities for Bluegill should improve as these fish grow to more acceptable sizes for anglers. Yellow Perch were captured at a rate of 3.3/gill net. This is below the expected range for similar type lakes and a historic low catch for the lake. A comparable decline in perch catches has occurred in many lakes around the state. Perch were generally too small to be of interest to anglers, ranging from 3.7 to 7.8 inches and averaging 6.2 inches. Other species sampled in this survey included Bowfin, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow 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.

Lawrence Lake is a 395 acre lake located 9 miles north of Taconite, MN. The lake is part of the Prairie River system and can experience large fluctuations in water levels. The lake has a public access on the southwest shore and is managed primarily for walleye and black crappie. The walleye gill-net catch in 2010 was 2.4/net, which is higher than any previous assessment and above the lake management plan goal of 2.0/net. Sampled walleye ranged from 7.5 to 22.0 inches, with a mean length of 12.6 inches. Walleye recruitment appeared consistent, with ages 1 through 6, and 8 represented in the sample. Mean length-at-age was similar to the statewide average for all ages. Walleye reached 15.8 inches in 4 years. No walleye stocking has occurred since 1992, so all fish are the result of natural reproduction or migration within the system. Due to the connectivity with Prairie River system, walleye abundance in Lawrence Lake likely fluctuates on a seasonal basis. Catch rates for black crappie were 3.4/gill net and 3.2/trap net. The gill-net catch was below the management plan goal of 6.0/net, but both catch rates are within the expected ranges for this lake class and similar to previous surveys. Gill-net sampled crappie ranged from 5.8 to 10.4 inches with a mean length of 7.8 inches. Recruitment was somewhat inconsistent, with 68% of the sample attributed to one year class (2006). Mean length-at-age was below the statewide average for ages 2 and 3, and similar to the statewide average for all other ages. Black crappie took 6 years to reach 9.7 inches. The northern pike gill-net catch declined from 5.9/net in the previous assessment to 3.0/net in 2010. This catch rate is below the expected range for similar lakes and below the lake management plan goal of 4.0/net. Size structure also declined from the previous assessment with no fish over 25 inches captured. Ages 1 through 6 were represented, though age 3 fish made up 42% of the sample. Mean length-at-age for northern pike was similar to the statewide average for all ages. Northern pike reached 24.3 inches in 6 years. As in previous assessments, the bluegill trap-net catch rate remained near the lake class first quartile at 4.9/net. Size structure was moderate. Sampled bluegill ranged from 4.7 to 9.1 inches, with a mean length of 6.9 inches. Ages 3 through 7 were represented, with ages 4 and 5 making up 64% of the sample. Mean length-at-age was above the lake class average for all ages. Bluegill reached 8.2 inches in 6 years. The gill-net catch for yellow perch was near the lake class median at 10.7/net, up from 4.8/net in the previous assessment. Size structure was poor with no fish over 8 inches in the sample. Other species captured in test nets included bowfin, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, tullibee and white sucker. Near-shore IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling with a small-mesh seine and back-pack electrofishing was conducted in 2010 in an attempt to capture smaller fishes not normally encountered with standard sampling gear. Additional species captured in near-shore sampling included blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, creek chub, golden shiner, sand shiner, spottail shiner, logperch, Iowa darter, johnny darter, tadpole madtom, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.

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

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

Lawrence has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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