Big Too Much

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Big Too Much Lake was conducted on June 27-29, 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 or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 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 one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow). 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 comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and biomass. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 23 lakes and the average length was 5.2 inches, with 23% over 7 inches. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2020 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, and Iowa Darter), 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 Big Too Much Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score well above the impairment threshold and exceptional thresholds 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Big Too Much Lake was conducted on August 17, 2021, 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 10 sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample one station, a 15-foot seine was used at four stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at five stations. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (Fathead Minnow). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2020 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 (Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (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. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Big Too Much Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Big Fork River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Big Too Much is a class 23 lake located just north of Talmoon, MN. Lakes in this classification are smaller, deep, relatively clear, infertile waters with limited shallow habitat. The lake has one public access and moderate shoreline development. The 2016 lake management plan (LMP) indicated Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike were primary management species while Bluegill and Walleye secondary. The LMP goals were to provide angling opportunities for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye through natural reproduction. Specific goals were to maintain an electrofishing catch of 50 Largemouth Bass/hr and a Northern Pike gill-net catch <5.0/net with 30-inch fish present. Largemouth Bass have been sampled with spring night electrofishing three times since 1999. The catch of 15/h in 1999 was low compared to the 2007 (83.5/h) and 2020 (94.2/h - on-time) catches. Bass populations appeared to have increased in many area lakes in the last 30 years but it is also possible the one night of sampling in 1999 may have under represented the population. One night of sampling is the standard methodology due to time constraints but catch rates can be influenced by seasonal timing and weather. The 2020 catch exceeded the LMP goal for the lake. The sampled fish ranged from 4.9 to 17.9 inches and averaged 9.7 inches. Nine age-classes were estimated by scales with fish from age 2 to 9 represented. Growth was somewhat slow compared to the statewide average which may be indicative of the higher catch rates. Bass anglers would consider this an action lake with few large fish. Northern Pike gill-net catches have ranged from 0.5 fish/net in 1960 to 3.8 fish/net in 2007, which all are viewed as low. The catch of 2.3/net in 2020 was similar to previous catches and achieved the LMP catch goal of <5/net. Lower pike numbers often result in size distributions that include larger fish. The sampled fish ranged from 20.8 to 36.1 inches and averaged 28.6 inches. The LMP size structure goal was also achieved since fish over 30 inches were sampled. Six year-classes were estimated from aging structures with fish ranging from age 3 to 9. Pike averaged 25.7 inches after four years of growth; which was above the statewide average. The excellent size structure and growth is likely the result of the low-density population with access to a high quality prey like Tullibee. Though finding the pike may be a challenge at times, anglers have a chance at catching a quality fish. However, anglers are encouraged not to harvest the large pike because the lake is small and vulnerable to overharvest. Bluegill trap-net catch rates have ranged from 0.1 fish/net in 1960 to 45.9 fish/net in 2007. In 2020, the catch of 16.8 fish/net was about average for lakes with similar habitat. Bluegill ranged from 3.3 to 8.1 inches and averaged 5.9 inches. Seven age-classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 3 to 9 represented. Growth appeared to be slow compared to lakes known for quality Bluegill populations but similar to other class 23 lakes. Fish averaged only 6.4 inches after seven years of growth. The poor size structure likely discourages anglers from targeting Bluegill. The MNDNR discontinued Walleye stocking after the 2015 survey because the results did not justify the investment. However, private residents have stocked the lake with approximately 56 lbs of fall fingerlings (or 1lb/littoral acre) in 2017 through 2019. The 2017 and 2018 year-classes should have been large enough to sample in the June 2020 survey. The catch of 0.8 fish/gill net was higher than the prior two catches yet only approached the lower end of what is considered normal for class 23 lakes. Gill-net catch rates have ranged from 0.2 to 2.0/net despite numerous years of stocking. Only once has the catch exceeded 1.3 Walleye/net. Statewide Walleye Stocking Guidelines recommend discontinuing stocking if it fails to produce a viable fishery supporting a catch rate of 2.0/gill net. In 2020, the five sampled fish ranged from 10.5 to 19.7 inches. The four year-classes included fish from 2 to 7 years old. Three fish corresponded to years of stocking while two did not. Too few fish were sampled to adequately assess growth. Anglers may occasionally catch a Walleye or two but the lake will never support a destination fishery. Lakes with similar habitat to Big Too Much typically have low crappie numbers. Black Crappie catches have generally been low but the catches have been comparable to similar lakes. In 2020, the gill-net and the trap-net catches were 0 and 0.2 fish/net. The catch was one of the lowest in the last 40 years. The two sampled fish were 8.0 and 9.6 inches and were estimated to be age 4 and 7. The apparent low population would likely deter angler interest. Tullibee can be difficult to sample because they frequently live suspended over deep water, an area the standard nets were not designed to sample. However, they are important to fish communities as a prey source for large predators. Tullibee gill-net catch rates have ranged from 1.6 fish/net in 1979 to 37.6 fish/net in 1990. The 2020 catch of 9.8/net was below average for the lake but relatively high compared to similar lakes. The sampled fish ranged from 7.3 to 14.7 inches and averaged 11.9 inches. Although age information was not collected, it appears there were at least two year-classes based on the length distribution. Yellow Perch gill-net catch rates have fluctuated from 0 fish/net in 2015 to 9.3 fish/net in 2007. In general, catch rates have been low except for the 1960 and 2007 surveys. Only one fish was sampled by gill nets in 2020 (0.2/net), which was the second lowest catch on record. The 14 perch sampled in trap nets ranged from 5.3 to 9.4 inches and averaged 6.7 inches. Due to the poor size distribution and low numbers, perch may not provide enough prey to increase predators such as Walleye or interest anglers. Other species sampled during the survey included Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Rock Bass.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, and Black Crappie in Big Too Much. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Big Too Much has a maximum depth of 95 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Big Too Much is from 2022.

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