Gunn

Gunn Lake is located approximately seven miles east of Marcell, MN and is within the Big Fork River watershed. The 342 acre lake has 142 littoral acres, a 55 foot maximum depth and is lightly developed along the 5.9 mile shoreline. There is an unimproved, state owned public access located on the west central shore. Secchi disk transparency, a standard measure of water clarity, has averaged 12.3 feet over six surveys and ranged from 9.0 - 17.0 feet. The lake has inlets from Charlie and Highland Lakes, and it outlets to Fox Lake and eventually the Rice River. The 2004 Lake Management Plan (LMP) lists Northern Pike as a primary management species due to angler interest and habitat suitability. The lake is also well suited for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie, and these were listed as secondary species. The LMP goals were to: maintain the Northern Pike gill net catch rate at 4.0/net of which 40% were 21 inches or longer; maintain a Black Crappie trap net catch rate of 2.0/net and maintain a Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rate of 30/hour. A standard survey was conducted in July 2017 to assess the status and characteristics of the fish population using 12 trap nets and 12 gill nets. Gunn Lake consists of a series of connected basins which were treated separately in surveys prior to 1992 but have since been considered one water body for management purposes. Surveys were conducted in 1992 and 2002. A night electrofishing survey was conducted on June 8 to evaluate the Largemouth Bass population. The Northern Pike gill net catch rate decreased from 5.0/net in 2002 to 3.6/net, which met the lake management goal. The Northern Pike gill net catch rate was within the range typical of lakes with similar habitats in the previous two surveys. Northern Pike from gill nets ranged from 15.9 - 34.1 inches with an average of 22.4 inches. Size structure was moderate as 51% of the Northern Pike from gill nets were greater than 21 inches and 19% were greater than 28 inches. This is the first survey in which Northern Pike greater than 34 inches were sampled. Northern Pike greater than 32 inches were also sampled in 1992 and 2002, showing that Gunn Lake is capable of producing large pike. Anglers are encouraged to release Northern Pike greater than 22 inches to help improve size quality. Growth rates were similar to the statewide average with an average length of 22.8 inches at age-5. Seven consecutive age classes were represented in the sample, ages 2 - 9. The Black Crappie trap net catch rate decreased from 1.8/net in 2002 to 0.8/net, which did not meet the management goal but remained within the range typical of lakes with similar habitats. Black Crappie from trap nets ranged from 4.3 - 10.3 inches with an average of 8.6 inches. One Black Crappie was sampled in a gill net and measured 11.9 inches. Growth rates were similar to the statewide average with an average length of 9.4 inches at age-5. Five age classes were represented in the sample. The Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rate increased from 27.3/hour in 2002 to 39.3/hour, which exceeded the management goal. Largemouth Bass ranged from 5.2 - 16.9 inches with an average of 9.3 inches. Size structure was poor as only 6% of the Largemouth Bass were greater than 15 inches. Largemouth Bass growth rates were slower than the statewide average with an average length of 12.7 inches at age-5. Six consecutive age classes were sampled, ages 2 - 7. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 3.8/trap net, which was the lowest recorded and was below the range typical of lakes with similar habitats for the first time. The Bluegill trap net catch rate declined from 61.7/net in 1992 and 13.6/net in 2002. Size structure remained poor as 11% of the Bluegill sampled were greater than eight inches. Few Bluegill greater than eight inches have been sampled in any survey of Gunn Lake. Walleye were sampled for the first time in 2017. One was sampled in a trap net and two in gill nets, ranging from 22.0 - 26.2 inches. There is no record of Walleye stocking in Gunn Lake, but due to the indirect connection of the lake to the Rice River, it is not surprising that Walleye would be present. Only one Yellow Perch was sampled during the survey. Yellow Perch numbers have consistently been below the range typical of lakes with similar habitats. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for Walleye. Lack of suitable habitat and low numbers of Yellow Perch limit Walleye in Gunn Lake. Other species sampled in this and previous surveys include: Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Tullibee, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

Gunn Lake is a 342-acre lake in Itasca County within the Big Fork River watershed. Gunn Lake is approximately 8 miles east of Marcell, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 39 ft and 142 littoral acres. A public access is located on the west shore. Water clarity was moderate with a Secchi disk reading of 9.0 ft. Northern pike gill-net catch was 5.0/net, which was within the expected range for similar lakes. Northern pike gill-net catch has varied from 2.3 to 7.0/net in previous assessments. Size structure was moderate with a few fish greater than 28 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish reaching preferred length of 28 inches in 6 years.Bluegill trap-net catch was 13.6/net, which was within the expected range for similar lakes. Abundance in past assessments has varied from 13.5 to 128.0/trap net. Size structure was poor with few fish greater than 8 inches. Black crappie gill-net catch was 0.4/net, which was lower than the expected range. Gill-net catch rates in past assessments varied from 0.9 to 2.3/net. The trap-net catch rate was 1.8/net, which was within the expected range for similar lakes. Trap-net catch rates in past assessments varied from 1.3 to 4.3/net. Although abundance was low, size structure was good with a few fish greater than 9 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish reaching 9 inches in 5 years. Largemouth bass trap-net catch was 1.0/net, which was within the expected range. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 0.8 to 3.8/net. Electrofishing was used to sample largemouth bass this spring for the first time on Gunn Lake. The catch rate was 27.3/h, which was slightly higher than the average catch rate of 25.8/h for area class 31 lakes. Size structure was moderate with a few fish exceeding 15 inches. Largemouth bass grew similar to the statewide average with fish reaching preferred length of 15 inches in 7 years. Yellow perch were sampled in low abundance with a gill-net catch of 0.1/net. Abundance in past assessments has varied from 0.4 to 7.0/net. Other species sampled include pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white sucker, common shiner, golden shiner, and brown bullhead.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 waters 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.

The northern pike gill net CPUE is below the local median for Schupp's ecological lake class #25. The mean gill net catch of 2.3 is below the first-third quartile range of 3.3-8.5. A wide range of sizes were sampled, with a length frequency range of 15-32". The relatively low northern pike abundance is conducive to a quality population structure; however, the Proportional Stock Density (PSD) is 48. Age IV fish comprise 30% of the sample. Growth approximates the statewide average for most age classes sampled.Bluegill are very abundant, evidenced by a trap net CPUE of 61.7. This is above the first-third quartile range of 10.5-50.6 for lake class #25. The length frequency distribution reveals most bluegills are in the 5-6" range, with only one fish measuring more than 8". Growth is very slow with mean back calculated length at last annulus formation for age III-2.9" (n=8), IV-3.6" (n=7), V-4.6" (n=13), VI-5.4" (n=8), and age VII-6.6" (n=3).The black crappie trap net CPUE equals the lake class median of 1.3. The length frequency distribution for gill and trap nets indicate most of the crappies sampled were 7-9". Growth is approximately 90% of the statewide average for ages III-V.Other fish species sampled include tullibee, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The yellow perch population is low, evidenced by a gill net CPUE OF 1.3, which falls below the first-third quartile range of 1.9-24.5. Tullibee were sampled in moderate abundance, at 3.6/gillnet, which is in the first-third quartile range of 0.9-8.5. The importance of tullibee as forage is amplified, because of the low yellow perch population. Largemouth bass were sampled in typically low numbers in standard survey gear. Local reports indicated this is a good lake for largemouth bass however.

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

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

Gunn has a maximum depth of 55 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Gunn is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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