Deer

Deer Lake is located northeast of Deer River, Minnesota. There is one public access on the southwest part of the lake. There were 373 homes or cabins counted during the last full survey, indicating moderate to high shoreline development. The 2018 lake management plan (LMP) indicated Muskie, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye as the primary species of management with Northern Pike as a secondary species. The LMP goals include maintaining the Walleye catch near 9.6/net, a spring electrofishing catch of 30 Smallmouth Bass/hr, and a spring Muskie estimate of 0.15 adults/acre with 45% greater than or equal to 42 inches by natural reproduction. A standard survey was conducted in late July to assess the fish community and evaluate Walleye stocking. A total of 15 gill nets and 15 trap nets were used in the survey. Bass were sampled using night electrofishing in the spring. Muskie are difficult to sample with standard summer survey methods because they exist at such low densities. Spring sampling of Muskie in the shallows during the spawning period is the best method for evaluating the population. The last Muskie survey was completed in 2017. In the 2023 standard survey, one Muskie was sampled in the gill nets and none in the trap nets. The sampled fish was a 44.9 inch female estimated to be 12 plus years old. It was tagged as a 35.7 incher during the spring of 2017 survey. Northern Pike catches have always been low on Deer Lake due to a lack of suitable habitat. The highest catch of 1.6 fish/net occurred in 2017. The 2023 catch was 1.0 fish/net. Low pike numbers frequently result in good growth and size structure. The sampled pike ranged from 19.7 to 37.2 inches and averaged 25.3 inches. Six year-classes were identified with fish from age 2 to age 9 present. Growth was fast compared to statewide averages for the first five years then average thereafter. Northern Pike averaged 25.2 inches after four years of growth. Bass have been sampled with spring, night electrofishing six times from 1995 to 2023. The Largemouth Bass population appears to have expanded from a very low level prior to the mid-1990s. Catch rates increased from 2.2 fish/hr in 1995 to 45.0 fish/hr in 2005 but fluctuated at lower levels since 2005. The catch rate was 37.0 fish/hr in 2023. In 2023, the sampled fish ranged from 5.2 to 16.9 inches and averaged 9.7 inches. Largemouth Bass over 16 inches were not aged. Five year-classes were sampled from age 2 to age 8. The 2020 year-class dominated the sample (77%). Growth was similar to the statewide average. Smallmouth Bass catches have followed a similar trend as Largemouth Bass. From 1995 to 2005, the Smallmouth Bass electrofishing catch increased from 17.3 fish/hr to 55.9 fish/hr, moderated in 2012 and 2017, and then peaked at 90.0 fish/hr in 2023. The 2023 catch exceeded the LMP goal of 30 fish/hr. The sampled fish ranged from 2.8 to 20.3 inches and averaged 12.2 inches. Smallmouth Bass over 16 inches were not aged. Of the smaller fish, seven year-classes from 1 to 7 years old were sampled. The population has experienced consistent and good recruitment in recent years. Growth was somewhat slow but not surprising for the population density and lake productivity. Smallmouth Bass fishing opportunities are better in Deer Lake than Largemouth Bass based on numbers and size. Walleye catch rates have fluctuated considerably since the first survey in 1948. The lowest catch was 2.3 fish/net in 1975 while the highest was 13.3 fish/net in 1984. In 2023, the catch of 6.1 fish/net was near the average for the lake but fell short of the aggressive management goal. Walleye from 7.5 to 25.5 inches were sampled and averaged 17.6 inches. Twelve year-classes were identified by scale and otolith analysis. Age-2 through 4 fish represented 63% of the sample. Walleye averaged 16.9 inches after four years of growth. Growth was good compared to statewide averages. The Walleye population should continue to provide good angling opportunities over the next few years. The Black Crappie population has always been low and will likely remain low due to the lack of suitable habitat. Black Crappie were only sampled by trap nets once from 1948 to 1990 and were first sampled by gill nets in the 2000 assessment. Black Crappie were not sampled in gill nets and only four were sampled in trap nets in 2023. The four sampled fish ranged from 10.9 to 12.6 inches. Anglers who find the crappies will likely experience good fishing for quality fish but they are encouraged not to overharvest this smaller population. Bluegill were seldom sampled prior to the 1990 survey (0.2 to 2.7 fish/trap net). Bluegill catches have increased substantially in 1990 to 21.0/net. Bluegill catch rates have consistently been near or above 15.0 fish/trap net in the last six surveys. The catch of 22.9 fish/trap net in 2023 was the third highest ever recorded. The sampled fish ranged from 3.4 to 8.9 inches and averaged 6.2 inches. The size distribution will likely discourage most anglers from seeking Bluegill in Deer Lake. Tullibee are difficult to sample with our standardized, summer survey methods because they often suspend over deep water. As a result, catch rates are generally low but can be highly variable. For example, the highest catch of 11.2 fish/gill net occurred in 1948 but none were sampled in the next survey (1975). Likewise, in 1980, 8.6 fish/net were sampled but in the next seven surveys, the highest catch was 1.0 fish/net. The oxygen/temperature profile in 2023 revealed that well-oxygenated, cool water was higher in the water column than normal for late July. As a result, the overlap of the favorable thermal habitat and standard net locations likely contributed to the highest catch (3.3/net) since 1980. The sampled fish ranged from 8.1 to 15.1 inches and averaged 11.5 inches. Tullibee are an important prey species for predators like Muskie, Northern Pike, and Walleye. Lake Whitefish also pose a challenge to sample because of the deep, open water they inhabit during the summer. Consequently, limited information exists on the population in Deer Lake. Whitefish catches have always been very low prior to 2023. Similar to the Tullibee catches, it appears the thermal habitat conditions in the summer were favorable for sampling whitefish in 2023. A total of 17 whitefish were captured for a catch rate of 1.1/net. The sampled fish ranged from 13.6 to 27.2 inches and averaged 19.1 inches. Six year-classes ranging from age 3 to 22 were observed. Fish averaged 15.6 inches after four years of growth. The Yellow Perch population has been relatively stable in Deer Lake. The 2023 catch of 10.5 fish/gill net was the lowest on record, yet not alarmingly low. The sampled fish ranged from 5.9 to 10.2 inches and averaged 7.6 inches. Perch are probably more important within the fish community as a prey source than as a species desired by anglers. Other species observed during the survey included Bowfin, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live/bait wells drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are also encouraged to power-wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Deer Lake is in ecological lake class 22 and is located 5 miles northeast of Deer River, MN, in the Mississippi River Watershed. The lake is 4,097 acres and has a maximum depth of 121 feet. A survey targeting nearshore fish species was conducted by Area fisheries staff beginning on 17 July, 2023. Twenty-four sampling sites (100 feet long) were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-ft or 15-ft 1/8th inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. Shoreline seining was conducted at 21 sites using the 15-ft seine (2 sites) and 50-ft seine (19 sites). Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 24 sites. Nearshore sampling captured 24 different species: 21 species by seining and 19 species by backpack electrofishing. The species can be found in the gear-specific catch tables in this report. Nearshore catches will be used with the gill net and trap net data from the standard survey conducted on 24 July, 2023, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of lake health. The surveys will assist the watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Deer Lake is a 4,000 acre lake located northeast of Deer River, Minnesota. There is one public access on the southwest part of the lake. There were 373 homes or cabins counted during the 2005 survey, indicating moderate to high shoreline development. The 2013 lake management plan (LMP) indicated Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye as the primary species of management with Northern Pike as a secondary species. The LMP goals include maintaining the Walleye catch near 11.0 fish/net, maintain a spring electrofishing catch rate of 30 Smallmouth Bass/hr of sampling, and maintain a spring adult Muskellunge estimate of 0.2 fish/acre with 45% > 42 inches. A standard survey (15 gill nets 15 trap nets) was conducted in late July to assess the fish community. Spring electrofishing was also conducted to sample bass. Muskellunge are difficult to sample with the standard survey methods because they exist at such low densities. In April of 2017, a survey targeting Muskellunge in the shallows during the spawning period was conducted to evaluate the population and those results are presented in a separate report. In the 2017 standard survey, four Muskellunge were sampled in the gill nets and none in the trap nets. The sampled fish ranged from 19.0 to 43.3 inches. Northern Pike catches in Deer Lake have always been lower than lakes with similar habitat. The highest catch of 1.6 fish/net occurred in 2017. Low Northern Pike numbers frequently result in good size distribution. The sampled fish ranged from 19.9 to 30.4 inches and averaged 23.8 inches. Five year-classes were identified with fish from age 2 to age 6 present. Age-3 fish represented 58% of the sample. Growth was fast compared to statewide averages and fish averaged 23.8 inches after four years. Bass numbers have increased in most area lakes within the last few decades. The trend apparently is not limited to local lakes, since other parts of the state and other Upper Midwest states have experienced similar results. Regional weather patterns that include earlier springs and longer growing seasons appear to favor bass reproduction and survival. Largemouth Bass were sampled with spring night electrofishing five times from 1995 to 2017. Catch rates increased substantially from 2.2 fish/hr in 1995 to 45.0 fish/hr in 2005 but declined to 10.1 fish/hr in 2017. In 2017, the sampled fish ranged from 5.8 to 16.0 inches and averaged 11.5 inches. Seven year-classes were sampled from two to 10 years old. No one age-class dominated the sample. Growth was poor compared to the statewide average and five year old fish were only 11.2 inches. Smallmouth Bass catches followed a similar trend as Largemouth Bass. From 1995 to 2005, the Smallmouth Bass catch increased from 17.3 fish/hr to 55.9 fish/hr but moderated to 28.3 and 41.9 fish/hr in 2012 and 2017. The 2017 catch exceeded the LMP goal of 30 fish/hr. Lengths ranged from 3.1 to 20.4 inches and averaged 11.2 inches. Eleven year-classes from 1 to 11 years old were sampled with age-2 fish representing 31% of the sample. Growth was somewhat slow but not surprising for the population density and lake productivity. Walleye catch rates have fluctuated considerably since the first survey in 1948. The lowest catch was 2.3 fish/net in 1975 while the highest was 13.3 fish/net in 1984. In 2017, the catch of 10.3 fish/net was above average for Deer Lake and approached the aggressive management goal of 11.0 fish/net. Walleye from 7.6 to 22.3 inches were sampled and the mean length was 14.4 inches. Twelve year-classes were identified with age-2 and 3 Walleye representing 66% of the sample. Walleye growth was good with age-4 fish averaging 16.0 inches. The Walleye population appeared to be doing well. The Black Crappie population has always been low due to the lack of shallow, protected habitats. Black Crappie were only sampled by trap nets once from 1948 to 1990 and were first sampled by gill nets in 2000. In 2017, catch rates were 0.3 fish/net for both gill nets and trap nets. The sampled fish ranged from 9.5 to 11.9 inches for the combined gears. Age and growth information was not collected in this survey. Bluegill were seldom sampled prior to the 1990 population assessment (0.2 to 2.7 fish/trap net). Catches increased beginning in 1990 to 21.0/net and have been near or above the average for the lake type (15.3 fish/net) in the last five surveys. The catch was 15.1 fish/net in 2017. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.4 to 8.8 inches and averaged 5.6 inches. Age and growth information was not collected in this survey. Tullibee are difficult to sample with our standardized survey gear because they frequently suspended over deep water during the summer. As a result, catch rates are generally low but can be highly variable. In 1948, the catch was 11.2 fish/gill net but in the next survey in 1975 none were captured. In 1980, 8.6 fish/net were sampled but in the next five surveys the highest catch was 0.3 fish/net. No Tullibee were sampled in gill nets in 2005, only four in 2012, while 15 were sampled in 2017. The sampled fish ranged from 10.4 to 15.2 inches and averaged 12.5 inches. In addition to the lack of higher catches in nearly 40 years, reports of anglers not finding the large schools of open water prey (likely Tullibee) like they used to may suggest a decline in the population. Yellow Perch catches have been relatively stable, fluctuating from a low of 11.8 fish/net in 1948 to a high of 32.2 fish/net in 2005. In 2017, the catch of 13.6 fish/gill net approached the average for lakes like Deer Lake. The sampled fish ranged from 5.8 to 11.4 inches and averaged 7.8 inches. Age and growth information was not collected in this survey. Yellow Perch are probably more important within the fish community as a prey source than as a species desired by anglers. Other species observed during the population assessment included Bowfin, Lake Whitefish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, and White Sucker. 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 water's 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.

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

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

Deer has a maximum depth of 121 feet and a mean depth of 42.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Deer is from 2023.

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