Ice

Ice Lake is a small, mesotrophic lake located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Ice Lake has a surface area of 42 acres, a littoral area of 13 acres, and a maximum depth of 53 feet. The lake is clear and the Secchi depth was 10 feet during the 2014 assessment. Ice Lake has an inlet from McKinney Lake and outlets to Hale Lake before draining to the Mississippi River. The lake supports an aquatic plant community that provides important cover for fish and wildlife. Unfortunately, Ice Lake is infested with both Eurasian water milfoil and purple loosestrife, which are harmful exotic plant species. A population assessment was conducted in July of 2014 to determine the status of the fish community. This assessment consisted of 4 gill nets and 9 trap nets. Northern Pike were the most common fish sampled in the gill nets. The catch was within the expected range for lakes with similar habitats, but below average for Ice Lake. Pike ranged from 14.8 to 30.2 inches and averaged 20.5 inches. Age and growth analysis identified 6 year classes and growth was near the statewide average with pike exceeding 21 inches by age 4. Poor size quality may limit the popularity of the pike fishery. Bluegills were the most common fish in the trap net sample. The catch was somewhat low compared to similar lakes and below average for Ice Lake. It should be noted that steep dropping shorelines and thick vegetation make trap net sampling difficult on Ice Lake. Size structure was poor as Bluegill ranged from 2.8 to 7.7 inches with an average of 5.8 inches. Class 20 lakes typically produce slow growing Bluegill and fish from Ice Lake grew at a typical rate for the lake class, achieving 6 inches by age 7. Although the Bluegill size structure was poor, hybrid sunfish were common and averaged 7.5 inches, with hybrids up to 9.1 inches sampled. Most hybrid sunfish appeared to be a cross between Pumpkinseed and Green Sunfish. Black Crappies were captured at a rate for the lake class and above average for Ice Lake. Captured crappie ranged from 5.3 to 10.4 inches with an average length of 8.1 inches. Age and growth analysis identified 6 year classes (ages 1-6) and recent recruitment appeared consistent. Growth was near the statewide average as crappie generally exceeded 8.5 inches by age 5. Ice Lake supports a diverse fish community given its small size. Other species present include Bowfin, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead. Ice Lake supports exotic Eurasian water milfoil and purple loosestrife. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop 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.

Ice Lake is a 42 acre lake managed for largemouth bass and panfish located within the Grand Rapids City limits. Eurasian water milfoil was recently discovered in Ice Lake and McKinney Lake which is drains into Ice Lake through a small stream. Because Eurasian milfoil was widespread, an aggressive whole lake fluridone herbicide treatment was conducted. It is expected that Eurasian milfoil will be reduced below detection levels for 3-4 years, however, it is unlikely that Eurasian milfoil can be eliminated from Ice Lake. One reason for this assessment is to document the current status of the fish community since Eurasian water milfoil became established. Largemouth bass are difficult to sample in traditional survey nets consequently largemouth bass are often underrepresented in routine surveys. In this survey, 3 largemouth bass were sampled in gill nets with a catch rate of 0.8/set, which is within the expected range for similar lakes. No largemouth were sampled in trap nets. The few largemouth bass which were sampled were small, varying in length from 5 to 6.5 in. Bluegill catch rate in trap nets was 8.2/set which is lower than average for similar lakes. Low bluegill abundance is often favorable, because it reduces competition and improved size structure. However, bluegill size structure was poor with no fish exceeding 8 in. Bluegill growth is much slower than statewide averages which partially explains the poor size structure. Black crappie abundance is low with a gill-net catch of 0.5/set and trap-net catch of 0.6/set. Size structure was poor and none of the five fish sampled exceeded 8.5 inches. Yellow perch abundance is very low with only a single fish sampled in a trap net. Spearing is good for northern pike because of clear water and abundant northern pike. Northern pike abundance in gill nets was 8.3/set which is above the expected range for similar lakes. Size structure was good with a few fish approaching 30 inches.

Yellow perch appear to be quite low in numbers. Northern pike population is above state and local medians in both size and number. Bluegill abundance is also above state and local medians. All other fish are within normal limits for this type of lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass in Ice. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Ice has a maximum depth of 53 feet and a mean depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ice is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Yes — Ice has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.