Little Bowstring

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Bowstring Lake was conducted on July 18-20, 2022 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 seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample five stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Bowfin comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Bowfin comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Bowfin sampled per net was well above the 75% quartile for similar Lake Class 31 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from an August 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., 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. Data from this survey indicates Little Bowstring Lake is healthy as indicated by an 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.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Little Bowstring Lake on June 09, 2022, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 34 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 83 (+/- 3.0) out of 100 possible. Approximately 50 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 71.3 (+/- 4.4), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 94.5 (+/- 1.4). Riparian lakeshore habitat quality, as indicated by a MNDNR StS score of 83, is moderate within Little Bowstring Lake and above the statewide average score of 73. A moderate score indicates that a high percentage of habitat is unaltered but at least one zone has lower habitat quality than a high scoring site. Protection of undisturbed riparian and aquatic habitat should provide buffering capacity, shoreline stability, and future contributions of coarse woody habitat into the lake.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Little Bowstring Lake on June 09, 2022, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 34 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 83 (+/- 3.0) out of 100 possible. Approximately 50 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 71.3 (+/- 4.4), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 94.5 (+/- 1.4). Riparian lakeshore habitat quality, as indicated by a MNDNR StS score of 83, is moderate within Little Bowstring Lake and above the statewide average score of 73. A moderate score indicates that a high percentage of habitat is unaltered but at least one zone has lower habitat quality than a high scoring site. Protection of undisturbed riparian and aquatic habitat should provide buffering capacity, shoreline stability, and future contributions of coarse woody habitat into the lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Bluegill, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike in Little Bowstring. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Bowstring has a maximum depth of 33 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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