Smith

Smith Lake is a 43 acre lake located 9 miles south of Grand Rapids, MN on the west side of Hwy 169. Inlets to Smith Lake include Smith Creek in the southwest corner and an unnamed, intermittent stream in the southeast corner. The outlet is located in the northwest. Smith Lake has a maximum depth of 25 ft and moderate water clarity with a Secchi disk reading of 7 ft. The primary fish species are northern pike and bluegill. A public access is located on the east shore, west of Hwy 169. The last assessment was completed in August 1981. The northern pike gill net catch rate was 12.0/net and was lower than the previous assessment at 17.3/net. Despite the decline from the previous assessment, the catch rate is higher than the expected range for similar lakes. The size structure was poor with only one fish over 20 inches. Growth was in the expected range of the statewide average with fish averaging 17.51 inches at age four. The bluegill trap net catch rate was 3.0/net and was lower than the previous assessment of 4.5/net. The catch rate was slightly higher than the lake class first quartile of 2.92/net. The size structure for bluegill was good even though low numbers of fish were caught with fish exceeding 8 inches and no fish larger than 9.5 inches. The growth rates are higher than similar lake class 33 lakes. At age five, the average length was 7.11 inches; compared to 6.1 inches at age five for other lake class 33 lakes. During the 2011 assessment, there was no black crappie sampled. In the past assessment the catch rate was 3.0/gill net and 4.8/trap net. Inconsistent recruitment of black crappie is a common life history trait for many populations which results in the "boom and bust" angling cycles. Present day growth rates are unknown, and based on the pervious assessment the size structure is poor. Other species sampled by gill nets and traps nets include bowfin (dogfish), white sucker, yellow and brown bullhead, yellow perch, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, and walleye. An important factor to keep in mind is that over-harvesting of panfish can deplete the size structure in Smith Lake.

(and small Panfish were seen in shallows The N Pike population is very high but Perch abun- dance is adequate to serve as forage. The Bass and Panfish populations appear to be within normal limits for this type of lake. Some disruption of fish habitat has occurred because of the beaver dam removal.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass in Smith. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Smith has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Smith is from 2011. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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