Clubhouse

A targeted survey of the nearshore and littoral fish community in Clubhouse Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff from 18-20 July 2022. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. A 50-foot seine was used to sample five sites with two of these being boat-aided seines, a 15-foot seine was used at three sites, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at two sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 26 native species of fish including ten species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Northern Sunfish, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one species (Fathead Minnow) that is tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted on 18-20 July 2022 by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Yellow Bullhead and Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was below the 25% quartile for similar Lake Class 23 lakes and the average length was 5.6 inches, with 23% over 7 inches. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2021 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 Rock 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicates Clubhouse Lake is in good health as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Big Fork River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Clubhouse Lake was conducted on July 20th and 21st, 2021 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 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used at two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Northern Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 28, 2021 standard 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 (Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow). 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. Data from this survey indicates Clubhouse Lake is in very good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Big Fork River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Clubhouse Lake is located about six miles east of Marcell, MN in the Chippewa National Forest and the Big Fork River watershed. The lake is split into two distinct basins with connectivity to the Rice River and numerous other lakes within the drainage. There is a national forest campground on the west shore where the public access is located. The majority of shoreline is in private ownership, but development is fairly light. The 2015 lake management plan (LMP) listed Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass as primary management species, with Northern Pike as a secondary management species. The LMP goals were to maintain night electrofishing catch rates for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass at 50/hour and 10/hour, and maintain the Northern Pike gill-net catch at 7/net. A standard lake survey was conducted in June 2021 to assess the status of the fish community. Spring night electrofishing sampled Largemouth Bass at the rate of 74.4/hour of on-time, which exceeded the LMP goal. Small fish under 8 inches made up the majority of the sample. Size structure was moderate; bass ranged from 3.3 to 17.3 inches with an average length of 9.3 inches. Age analysis indicated frequent but variable recruitment. Ages 1-10 were represented, with age 2 the most frequently sampled. Growth was considered average. Largemouth Bass averaged 10.9 inches after 4 years. Clubhouse Lake provides good angling opportunities for Largemouth Bass. Smallmouth Bass have typically been sampled in low numbers in Clubhouse Lake, but with a good average size. Night electrofishing in 2021 captured three Smallmouth Bass for a catch rate of 2.4/hour of on-time. This did not meet the LMP goal. One fish exceeded 20 inches. The gill-net catch rate for Northern Pike was average for the lake and near the LMP goal. Size structure was moderate. Sampled pike ranged from 14.0 to 34.2 inches with an average length of 22.9 inches. Ages 2 through 8 were represented indicating frequent recruitment. Growth was considered good; pike exceeded 25 inches after 5 years of growth. The Bluegill population can generally be described as having moderate numbers and poor to fair size structure. The trap-net catch rate was below average compared to lakes with similar habitat, but equal to the previous survey. Sampled Bluegill ranged from 3.3 to 8.3 inches with an average length of 5.3 inches. Bluegill were not aged in this survey, but previous assessments indicated slow growth. The gill-net catch rate for Tullibee was above average for the lake and similar lakes. Tullibee ranged from 7.1 to 12.3 inches with an average length of 10.0 inches. Tullibee are an important prey species for large predators like Northern Pike. Other species sampled included Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.

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

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

Clubhouse has a maximum depth of 103 feet and a mean depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clubhouse is from 2022.

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