Little Split Hand

Little Split Hand Lake is a shallow lake located 16 miles southeast of Grand Rapids, MN. It has moderately clear and fertile water. The 2019 lake management plan (LMP) listed Black Crappie and Bluegill as primary management species and Northern Pike as a secondary management species. Management goals included: maintain a Black Crappie population with 30 to 60% of the fish at least 8 inches in spring surveys, maintain quality Bluegill with >60% of the fish at least 6 inches and 25% at least 8 inches from spring surveys, and maintain the presence of Northern Pike exceeding 34 inches. A standard survey using 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets was conducted in June 2024 to assess the fish community. Black Crappie net catches have been relatively high compared to other lakes with similar habitat. In 2024, the gill net catch of 12.5/net was high while the trap-net catch of 1.0/net was fairly low. The sampled crappie ranged from 6.2 to 10.4 inches for both gears with most fish around 8 to 9 inches. The trap net and gill net samples both essentially met size distribution goals. Above average catches of Black Crappie may provide decent fishing for moderate sized fish. Little Split Hand often has lower catches of moderate sized Bluegill compared to other lakes with similar habitat. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 6.2/trap net. Bluegill ranged from 3.2 to 8.3 inches and averaged 6.4 inches. Little Split Hand may provide decent Bluegill fishing opportunities at times. Northern Pike catches have been variable but generally high. Gill net catches fluctuated from 5.7/net in 1975 to 20.3/net in 2018. Pike catches decreased from record highs in 2018 to 7.3/gill net in 2024. Northern Pike ranged from 13.4 to 31.3 inches and averaged 23.7 inches. Fish over 28 inches are caught with some regularity but few over 34 inches. Little Split Hand is known for having higher numbers of moderate sized pike and these population attributes are not desirable because they result in slow growth. Anglers and spearers are encouraged to keep fish under 22 inches and not harvest fish over 26 inches to improve size structure. The habitat in Little Split Hand is favorable for bass and panfish and poor for Walleye. Walleye stocking was discontinued after 1996 because prior stocking attempts failed to create a Walleye fishery. In 2002, 2010 and 2016, Walleye fingerlings were purchased by a private group. Five Walleye were sampled in the 2018 survey and four in the 2024 survey, further suggesting unfavorable conditions for Walleye. Walleye ranged from 20.2 to 22.4 inches in 2024. Yellow Perch catches have always been high in Little Split Hand compared to lakes with similar habitat. Catches declined from 61.5/net in 2018 to 19.2/net in 2024. Size distributions have consistently been dominated by smaller fish. Yellow Perch ranged from 5.2 to 9.7 inches and averaged 6.1 inches. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for predators but likely of limited interest to anglers due to the poor size distribution. Other species sampled included Black and Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

Little Split Hand Lake was included in an initial statewide research project investigating Black Crappie age and growth from populations with distinct growth and size structure characteristics. Spring surveys were preferred with water temperatures between upper-40s to mid-50s. Non-standard day electrofishing sampled 176 Black Crappie at a rate of 264.0/hr on-time. Length, sex/maturity, and ageing structures (otolith and scales) were collected from all crappie sampled. Black Crappie ranged from 5.5 to 10.7 inches with an average length of 8.8 inches. The 2023 targeted survey was comparable with lengths from 5.9 to 12.1 inches with an average length of 9.0 inches. Size structure was characterized by numerous small fish. Sex and maturity determination indicated 70% of the sample were mature male (n=123). Length distributions were similar by sex with females ranging from 5.5 to 10.7 inches with an average length of 8.8 inches and males ranging from 6.9 to 10.4 inches with an average length of 8.7 inches. Multiple ages were present and growth was slow, similar to past surveys.

Little Split Hand Lake is located about 10 miles southeast of Grand Rapids, MN with one access on the North side. The lake has a history of producing quality Bluegill and abundant Black Crappie. The management plan describes catch rate and size structure goals from spring surveys for both species that intend to maintain or improve the quality fishery. To attain the Bluegill management goal, a five sunfish daily bag limit regulation was implemented in spring 2012. The 2023 targeted survey was one of five targeting Bluegill and Black Crappie since 2010 and the second assessing the ten-year evaluation period. The Bluegill catch was high compared to past spring surveys. Fish ranged from 3.2 to 9.0 inches and averaged 6.5 inches. Several quality sized fish were sampled, but the number and proportion was lower than previous surveys and below management goals. The slight reduction in larger fish is likely a combination of a pulse in recruitment and the duration of time to replace larger individuals. However, quality angling opportunities exist. Ages 3 to 10 were identified and growth was slightly faster than expected. Bluegill averaged around 7 inches (by age 6) and started to achieve a size harvested by anglers. The Black Crappie catch was modest by spring survey standards and comparable to the 2022 survey. Fish ranged from 5.9 to 12.1 inches and averaged 9.0 inches. Size structure was satisfactory and resembled previous surveys, indicating favorable angling opportunities. Ages 2 to 9 were represented and age 6 comprised 41% of the sample. Growth was comparable to the statewide average with crappie averaging nearly 10 inches by age 6. Bigmouth Buffalo are a unique species found in Little Split Hand Lake. They were considered rough fish and only minimal data was ever collected despite being occasionally caught during surveys. There is little known about them and their function in Little Split Hand Lake. Night bowfishing was authorized statewide in 2009 and has increased in popularity since. Buffalo were last observed in 2018 with one captured. It is unknown how decreased numbers of the Buffalo may affect the fish community. Other species sampled included Black, Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumkinseed Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse and White Sucker. Painted Turtles and Snapping Turtles were also observed.

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

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

Little Split Hand has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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