East Smith

East Smith Lake is a 145 acre lake located five miles southeast of Marcell, MN in the Big Fork River watershed. The lake is in ecological lake class 32. Lakes in this class are small, have moderate clarity and depth, and relatively soft water. Other area lakes in this class include Big Ole, Black Island and Highland Lakes. The northern pike gill-net catch in 2009 was similar to the previous survey and within the expected range at 4.7/net. Size structure was fairly poor; sampled pike had a mean length of 19.1 inches and a mean weight of 1.9 pounds. Few pike over 25 inches have been sampled in previous surveys, although one large (36.8 inch) northern pike was captured in this assessment. Recruitment appeared fairly consistent, with ages 1 - 5 represented in the sample. Growth was similar to the lake class average for all ages, with individuals reaching 19.8 inches in 4 years. Bluegill were the most abundant species in the trap nets, with a catch rate of 8.0/net. This is down from the previous survey and below the lake class first quartile. Bluegill size structure was modest; fish ranged from 3.5 to 9.0 inches with a mean length of 7.0 inches. Recruitment appeared consistent, with ages 3, 4, and 6 - 11 represented in the sample. Growth rates were similar to the lake class average for all ages, with individuals reaching 6.4 inches in 7 years. The trap-net catch for black crappie was up from the previous assessment and near the lake class third quartile at 3.4/net. Sampled crappie ranged from 6.2 to 11.6 inches with a mean length of 9.3 inches. Ages 3 - 10 were represented in the sample and growth was below 85% of the statewide average for all ages, with individuals reaching 8.9 inches in 6 years. Yellow perch were sampled at a rate of 1.3/gill net, down from the previous assessment but within the expected range for this lake class. Largemouth bass were sampled at 0.7/gill net, up from the previous survey and within the expected range. Angler reports suggest the lake supports a fairly good bass population. Electrofishing would likely provide better information on this species.

NORTHERN PIKE AND BLUEGILL NUMBERS ARE HIGHER THAN LOCAL MEDIANS. PERCH, PUMPKINSEED AND CRAPPIE NUMBERS ARE BELOW LOCAL MEDIANS. NATURAL REPRODUC- TION SEEMS ADEQUATE FOR POPULATION MAINTENANCE.

Bluegill and N Pike population are at fairly high levels in this lake. Perch population is quite low in the lake. All othe fish populations are within normal limits.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for East Smith. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

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

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in East Smith is from 2009. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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