Snaptail

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Snaptail Lake, was conducted on August 18th, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample one station, and site conditions (i.e., dense aquatic vegetation) prevented the use of a seine at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 10 species of fish. A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured seven species of fish. Bluegill comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Walleye comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2020 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., 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. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Snaptail Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Snaptail Lake is a 146-acre lake in Itasca County located 18 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, MN. A small state owned public access is located on the south shore off County Highway 50. The access has an earthen ramp with parking for two rigs. Snaptail Lake has a maximum depth of 70 ft and 39% of the lake is 15 ft or less. The lake has low fertility. The water color is light brown, resulting in visibility to a depth of 13 feet in mid-summer. The depth of water at which oxygen levels limit fish presence was 16 ft in mid-summer. There is one outlet in the south (Snaptail Creek) that flows into Lawrence Lake. Other area lakes with similar habitat include Issac, Mirror, Moonshine, Orange, and South Sturgeon. The 2020 survey was the tenth survey of the fish community since 1963. Surveys occur to monitor for changes in species composition, number, length distribution, and growth. Gamefish species that are best suited for the lake are Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. No special regulations are present. The Northern Pike population had a moderate catch rate, with above average size distribution and growth. Gill net catches were higher than average for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. Higher catches are undesirable because they are usually associated with higher density populations having poor size structure and slow growth. The sampled pike ranged from 16 to 35 inches and averaged 23 inches. The length distribution was above average, as 61% of pike exceeded 21 inches and 11% exceeded 28 inches. Pike that exceeded 28 inches were sampled in seven of ten surveys, including the last four. The largest pike ever sampled was a 35-inch pike in 2020, indicating the potential exists for producing larger pike. Pike ranged from age 2 to 11. Growth rates were above average. On average, pike took four years to exceed 21 inches. The pike population may interest anglers and spearers due to its length distribution. However, due to the lake's small size, anglers are encouraged to release pike over 26 inches and harvest up to 10 less than 22 inches to help maintain and improve size structure. Spearers are encouraged to harvest smaller pike also. The Largemouth Bass population had above average catch rates, an average length distribution, and below average growth. Spring nighttime electrofishing targeting bass has occurred in three years. This method is the most appropriate way to evaluate a bass population. The electrofishing catch rate in 2020 was similar to the two previous surveys and continued to be higher than the Grand Rapids Area average. The sampled bass ranged from 5 to 18 inches and averaged 11 inches. Bass over 15 inches were sampled in all three electrofishing surveys. The largest bass ever sampled were 18-inch fish in 1993 and 2020. Growth was below average. Aged bass were 1 to 10 years old. Recruitment appeared relatively consistent, as aged fish were from nine different year classes. Bass took five years to exceed 12 inches. Due to the lake's small size, anglers are encouraged to release bass exceeding 15 inches to help maintain or improve size structure. The Black Crappie population had an average catch rate, with below average length distribution and growth. Gill net catches were average for the lake, but lower than lakes with similar habitat. The sampled crappie ranged from 4 to 7 inches and averaged 6 inches. Length distribution was below average, as 10% of crappie exceeded 6 inches and 0% exceeded 8 inches. Ten-inch fish were only sampled in two surveys, and the largest fish sampled was a 10.5-inch fish in 2010. Aged crappie were 2 to 3 years old. Crappie were aged the past four surveys, and growth rates have been consistently below average. On average, crappie took five years to exceed eight inches. The below average length distribution will likely not interest anglers. The Bluegill population has had above average catch rates, with below average length distribution and growth. Trap nets were not used in 2020, which are the most appropriate sampling method. Average trap net catches from previous surveys were higher than lakes with similar habitat. However, higher catches are undesirable because they are usually associated with higher density populations having poor size structure and slow growth. Only four Bluegill over 8 inches have ever been sampled. Growth was assessed in two surveys and was below average. Bluegill took seven years to exceed six inches. The Bluegill population consistently has had below average size distribution and will likely not interest anglers. The Walleye population had an average catch rate and length distribution, with below average growth. Gill net catches were similar to average for the lake and for lakes with similar habitat. Although Walleye were stocked in 13 years, catch rates have never exceeded 1.0/net. Statewide Walleye stocking guidelines recommend discontinuing stocking if it fails to produce a viable fishery supporting a catch rate of 2.0/gill net. Although Walleye fingerlings were stocked in 2015 by the lake association, only one of the four fish sampled in 2020 was from that year class. This demonstrates that low levels of natural reproduction continue to occur. Growth continued to be below average. Lower Yellow Perch and Tullibee numbers can limit the number of Walleye the lake supports. Angler expectations should be low, as the lake may only provide incidental Walleye catches. The Yellow Perch population had a low catch rate and below average length distribution. Gill net catches have declined in each of the past four surveys. Declining perch numbers are consistent with statewide trends that have occurred since the 1970s. Lower perch numbers limit the number of gamefish the lake can support. Sampled perch ranged from 5 to 7 inches, with an average of 6.4 inches. Eight inch perch have never been sampled. Therefore, perch are more important as prey for gamefish and of little interest to anglers. Age and growth has not been evaluated. No Tullibee (Cisco) were sampled the past four consecutive surveys, after being sampled in five of the initial six surveys. Smaller Tullibee can provide an important prey source for larger gamefish and predation relief to the perch population. No other species were sampled. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations. 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.

A survey of nearshore fish species was conducted on July 26, 2016 by 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 10 sampling stations, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 6 stations, a 15-foot seine was used at 3 stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at 1 station. Nearshore sampling captured 8 species of fish. The nearshore fish data was combined with gill net and trap net data from a July 2013 survey to describe the fish community and better understand expectations for similar lakes.

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

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

Snaptail has a maximum depth of 70 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Snaptail is from 2025.

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