Burrows

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Burrows Lake was conducted beginning on July 22nd, 2024 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations and site conditions prevented the use of seines at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured 8 species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Smallmouth Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted on July 22nd, 2024 by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Bluegill and Northern Pike comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Bluegill and Black Crappie sampled per net was below the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 32 lakes. Conversely, the mean weight of Black Crappie sampled per net was above the 50% quartile and the mean weight of Bluegill sampled per net was well above the 75% quartile for Lake Class 32 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2023 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 Smallmouth Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and 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. An additional survey was completed on Burrows Lake in August 2023 resulting in a higher, but similar FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Fisheries IBI program staff also conducted a survey of lakeshore habitat on Burrows Lake on July 24th 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The survey consisted of 56 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 85.9 (±2.8) out of 100 possible, which indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-91.9). Approximately 34 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 64.1 (±5.3) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 97.1 (±1.0) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality. Data from this survey indicates Burrows Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Burrows Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Burrows Lake was conducted on August 16-17th, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (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 ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured seven species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Smallmouth Bass) and zero that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2023 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 Smallmouth Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). 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 Burrows Lake is Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Burrows Lake is fully supporting for aquatic life use. 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.

Burrows Lake is a small, relatively shallow lake located 10 miles southeast of Marcell in the Mississippi River watershed. The lake is moderately developed and has no inlets or outlets. A state-owned public access is located at the southwest end of the lake. The 2019 lake management plan (LMP) listed Northern Pike as the primary management species and Largemouth Bass and Bluegill as secondary management species. The LMP goals were to maintain a moderate Northern Pike gill-net catch with pike over 34 inches present; and maintain a Largemouth Bass night electrofishing catch rate of 30/hour of on-time. A targeted gill net survey was conducted in 2023 to assess the status of the fish community. Bass electrofishing was not conducted due to late ice out date resulting in workload constraints. High Northern Pike catches are often associated with poor size quality and slow growth and are generally not desirable. Prior to the 2002 survey, pike catches in Burrows Lake were generally low to moderate. In three of four surveys since, pike catches were higher than expected. The Northern Pike gill-net catch was the highest on record in the 2018 survey. The 2023 catch rate remained high but size quality resembled past surveys. Gill-net sampled pike ranged from 13.0 to 37.0 inches with a mean length of 21.4 inches. Size structure goals were generally achieved, and three memorable-length pike (>34 inches) were sampled. Ages 2-9 were represented with ages 3 and 5 the most abundant. Northern Pike averaged 21.91 inches at age 4. Good pike fishing opportunities appear to exist given the numbers and size quality. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are important components of the Burrows Lake fishery. Gill nets are often a poor indicator of abundance but both species were sampled in 2023. Previous electrofishing surveys have suggested a moderate to abundant Largemouth Bass population and a moderate Smallmouth Bass population. Both species have had moderate size quality. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for predators like Northern Pike, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass. Perch catches from Burrows have typically been low to moderate compared to similar lakes. The 2018 and 2024 catches were the lowest on record. Lakes with similar characteristics do not typically support strong Walleye populations, although catches in Burrows have occasionally been above average. Only three Walleye were sampled in 2023. The current combination of high pike numbers and few Yellow Perch makes Burrows a poor candidate for Walleye management. Like many northern Minnesota lakes, Black Crappie catches on Burrows have fluctuated between surveys. The 2023 catch was higher than expected compared to similar lakes and above average for Burrows Lake. Size quality was good as crappie ranged from 5.6 to 13.2 inches and averaged 10 inches. Recent recruitment appeared fairly consistent. The oldest fish were 8 years old from the 2015 year-class. Growth was moderate with fish averaging 8.3 inches by age 4. It appears that good crappie fishing opportunities exist.

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

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

Burrows has a maximum depth of 38 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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