No-ta-she-bun

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Burrows Lake was conducted on August 16-17th, 2023, 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 ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured seven species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Smallmouth Bass) and zero that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2023 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 Smallmouth Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). 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 provide evidence that the fish community in Burrows Lake is Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Burrows Lake is fully supporting for aquatic life use. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff also conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on No-ta-she-bun Lake on June 26th, 2023, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 33 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 84.0 (±2.7) out of 100 possible. A score of 84.0 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Moderately High (80-85). Approximately 33 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 70.8 (±4.7) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Moderate (70-80), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 90.6 (±2.3) with High (85-92) habitat quality.

No-ta-she-bun Lake, also known as Willow Lake, is located about eight miles northeast of Remer, MN. The lake borders the Chippewa National Forest, but most of the shoreline is in private ownership. There is a state-administered access on the northwest shore along with a state rest area. There are no defined inlets and one outlet, the Willow River. The lake management plan (LMP) was last amended in 2017. Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass were the primary management species and Black Crappie were considered a secondary species. A standard lake survey utilizing gill nets and trap nets was conducted in June 2023 to update information on the fishery. No boat night electrofishing for bass was conducted due to staff and workload constraints. Additional sampling for near-shore fishes was conducted to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score. That sampling utilized back-pack electrofishing and seining gear and is summarized in a separate report. The Northern Pike population has low to moderate numbers and a favorable size structure. Lower pike densities are desirable because they often result in faster growth rates and high-quality size structure. The gill-net catch for Northern Pike was at the low end of the expected range and near the LMP goal. Size structure remained favorable as pike ranged from 19.8 to 39.2 inches and averaged 26.1 inches. Six year-classes from age 3 to 9 were identified, with faster than average growth rates. Northern Pike approached 25 inches after 4 years of growth. Anglers and spearers are encouraged to limit harvest of larger pike to help maintain the good quality size structure. Net catches for Black Crappie tend to be variable because of their habit of suspending in the water column in off-shore areas. Gill-net catches have varied from 0.2 to 18.5/net in past surveys. The 2023 catch rate of 1.0/net was below average for the lake, but within the expected range for the lakes with similar habitat. Only one crappie was sampled in trap nets. The few crappie sampled were of favorable size ranging from 10.4 to 12.7 inches. The Walleye gill-net catch was below the expected range for similar lakes, but typical for No-ta-she-bun. The four Walleye sampled ranged from 17.3 to 26.5 inches. Meaningful evaluations of age structure and growth cannot be drawn from such a small sample size. Two of the four Walleye did correspond to previously stocked year-classes. Past stocking did not appear to contribute substantially to the population and was discontinued. Lakes like No-ta-she-bun rarely produce quality Walleye fisheries due to habitat, fish community and prey base limitations. Only one Yellow Perch was sampled for a catch rate of 0.2/gill net. This was well below the expected range and the lowest catch on record. The Bluegill population has typically had moderate numbers and poor size structure. The 2023 trap-net catch was typical for No-ta-she-bun and lakes with similar habitat. Size structure improved from past surveys. Sampled Bluegill ranged from 3.2 to 9.0 inches and averaged 6.6 inches. Fourteen percent of the sampled exceeded the preferred-length of 8 inches. Bluegill were not aged in this survey but previous surveys reported slower than average growth rates. No-ta-she-bun provides fair angling opportunities for moderate-sized Bluegill. Largemouth Bass were sampled in low numbers with fish ranging from 8 to 12.9 inches. Previous surveys employing electrofishing showed No-ta-she-bun contains good numbers of small to medium-sized bass. Other species sampled in test nets included Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

Index of biological integrity data was collected in 2013 in conjunction with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency watershed sampling.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Walleye in No-ta-she-bun. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for No-ta-she-bun. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

No-ta-she-bun has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in No-ta-she-bun is from 2023.

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