Hale

Hale Lake is located within the city limits of Grand Rapids, MN. The 142 acre lake has 37 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 60 feet and about 3.2 miles of shoreline. Hale has inlet connectivity from Crystal (and McKinney) and outlets to the Mississippi River downstream of Blandin dam. All connectivity has been highly altered from development and is part of the storm water drainage system. There is a city owned access on the south shore. Most of the development occurs on the south and east shores. The City owns most of the north shore and is undeveloped. Upstream lakes Crystal and McKinney were designated as infested with Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) in the 1990's. During fisheries near-shore sampling, EWM was discovered in 2014 and the lake has since been designated as infested. Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike are the primary management species. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 3.8/gill net, below the lake class median (5.0/net) and similar to the previous assessment (2.4/net). Catch rates have ranged from 1.0 to 11.0/net. Size structure was favorable with 57% of the pike exceeding 24 inches (PSD-21=87, RSD-28=39, RSD-34=9). Scale and bone analysis identified ages 2 to 8 with growth exceeding the statewide average for ages 4 to 6 and similar to the statewide average for the remainder. Age classes were fairly similar yet some were better than others suggesting relatively frequent recruitment. Northern Pike averaged 24.3 inches by age 4. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a catch rate of 0.3/gill net and 0.2/ trap net, both below the lake class first quartile. Largemouth Bass have been observed in all assessments except 1984. Lengths ranged from 4.8 to 12.6 inches in both gears. Black Crappie were sampled at a rate of 2.5/gill net and 3.0/trap net, both exceeding the lake class third quartile. Gill net catches have ranged from 3.8 to 0 with the highest catch observed in 1999. The lowest trap net catch (0.5/net) was observed in 1958 and 1984, while 2014 was the first time the trap net catch exceeded the third quartile. Lengths of the gill net sample were relatively similar, ranging from 6.3 to 8.0 inches, while the trap net sample had lengths from 5.0 to 10.6 inches with a mean length of 7.8 inches. Scale analysis of a combined sample identified ages 2 to 5 present, suggesting consistent recruitment. Growth was slow early, but similar to the statewide average of 7.5 inches by age 4. Bluegill trap net catches had been variable ranging from 8.8/net (1976) to 61.5/net (1984). The Bluegill catch rate in 2014 was 11.0/trap net, near the lake class first quartile (7.7/net). Size structure was poor (PSD-6=17, RSD-8=0, RSD-10=0) and similar to previous assessments. Lengths ranged from 3.1 to 7.8 inches with mean length of 4.8 inches. Walleye were sampled at a rate of 0.3/gill net, below the lake class first quartile (1.0/net). Past assessments indicate natural reproduction is non-existent and these fish are likely from an earlier stocking. Ageing structures were not collected and walleye were last stocked in 2004. The lengths of the two fish were 20.4 and 27.8 inches. Yellow Perch were sampled at a rate of 0.5/gill net, below the lake class first quartile and the previous assessment (1.0/net). Tullibee were sampled at a rate of 1.0/gill net near the lake class first quartile (1.3/net) and above the previous assessment (0.4/net). Other species sampled include Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Index of biological integrity data was collected in 2014 in conjunction with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency watershed sampling.

Hale Lake is a 142 acre lake managed for largemouth bass and panfish located within the Grand Rapids City limits. Eurasian water milfoil was recently discovered in Mckinney Lake and Ice Lake, and both lakes are connected to Hale Lake through a small stream. Because Eurasian water milfoil spreads by fragmentation it is likely that Hale lake could be infested in the future. At the present time no Eurasian water milfoil was found in Hale Lake. One reason for this assessment is to document the current status of the fishery community before any possible Eurasian water milfoil introduction. Largemouth bass are difficult to sample in traditional nets and only five largemouth bass were sampled in both gill nets and trap nets. The catch rate in gill nets was 0.4/set and the catch rate in trap nets was 0.4/set which is lower than average for similar lakes. Of the five largemouth bass which were sampled in either gear, the largest was 16 inches. Black crappie were abundant with a gill-net catch of 3.8/set and a trap-net catch of 2.1/set which is higher than average for similar lakes. Although black crappie were abundant, few fish were greater than 8 inches. Black crappie reproduction appears sporadic with only three year classes present. Bluegill abundance in trap nets was 19.6/set which is similar to the average for similar lakes. Bluegill size structure was generally poor with few fish exceeding 7 inches. Northern pike abundance in gill nets was 2.4/set and is lower than average for similar lakes. Although the northern pike were not abundant, the size structure was good with several fish between 27 and 32 inches. Lower abundance is often favorable, because size structure is often better with lower abundance. Hale lake is most suitable for largemouth bass, panfish, and northern pike, however, walleye were fingerlings were stocked in 1988 in an attempt to establish a fishery. In 1999, no walleye were sampled indicating that natural reproduction is nonexistent.

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

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

Hale has a maximum depth of 60 feet and a mean depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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