Trestle

Trestle Lake (also known as Fox Lake) is located 8 miles northwest of Talmoon, MN in the Big Fork River watershed. The mostly undeveloped lake has a surface area of 96 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet. Secchi disk transparency was 18 feet in the most recent survey. The lake has no inlets and an unnamed, intermittent outlet via wetland drainage. The fisheries lake management plan was last revised in 2012. Black Crappie, Bluegill and Northern Pike were considered primary management species and Largemouth Bass were a secondary species. A standard lake survey was conducted in late July 2023 to update information on the fishery. The Black Crappie population has generally had above average numbers and moderate size structure. The gill-net catch for crappie was above the expected range, with fish averaging 7.8 inches. The trap-net catch was average compared to similar lakes, with fish averaging 7.9 inches. Scale analysis identified ages one through six in the sample with no dominant year class, suggesting frequent recruitment. Growth was slower than average. Crappie averaged 7.6 inches after 4 years of growth. The Bluegill population has generally had moderate to high numbers and poor size structure. The 2023 trap-net catch was typical for the lake. Size structure remained poor. Sampled Bluegill ranged from 3.2 to 7.6 inches with an average length of 4.0 inches. Ages 3 through 8 were represented in the sample with no dominant year class. Growth was slower than average for this type of lake. Bluegill averaged 5.3 inches after six years of growth. The Northern Pike population has typically had above average numbers and poor size structure, though pike numbers moderated in 2023. The gill-net catch rate was average compared to similar lakes and the lowest on record for Trestle. Lower pike densities are desirable because they often result in faster growth rates and better size quality. Size structure in 2023 was improved over previous surveys. Sampled pike ranged from 18.6 to 31.3 inches with an average length of 24.3 inches. Ages 1, and 3 through 8 were identified in the sample. Growth was average with pike averaging 23.2 inches after five years of growth. A limited number of Largemouth Bass were sampled in the gill nets and trap nets, with several individuals exceeding 17 inches. A night electrofishing component of the survey was also conducted in early June. This gear sampled a larger number of bass but the size structure was fairly modest. The catch rate (number/hour) was moderately high compared to other area lakes. Sampled bass ranged from 6.0 to 17.5 inches and averaged 12.3 inches and 1.2 pounds. Ages 2 through 11 were identified from scale analysis. Age 3 and 6 fish made up a majority of the electrofishing sample. Growth was average with bass averaging 13.1 inches after five years of growth. Other species sampled in test nets included Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish and Yellow Perch. 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 and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Trestle Lake (also known as Fox Lake) is located 8 miles northwest of Talmoon, MN in the Big Fork River watershed. The mostly undeveloped lake has a surface area of 96 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet. Secchi disk transparency was 12 feet in the most recent assessment in late August 2011. Surveys of the lake in previous years had occurred in June or July. The most recent assessment was delayed due to the statewide government shutdown in July 2011. The difference in timing of assessments likely affected catches for some species, so the current results are not very comparable to past surveys. The gill-net catch rate for northern pike was above the expected range for this lake class at 11.5/net. Size structure was poor with sampled fish ranging from 15.6 to 31.5 inches, with a mean length of 19.5 inches. Size structure was influenced by a large proportion of young fish in the sample; 79% of the fish were age 3 or younger. Growth was similar to the statewide average with pike reaching 20.5 inches at age 4. The gill-net catch for black crappie was above the expected range at 4.0/net, with fish averaging 6.6 inches. The trap-net catch was 2.0/net (above the lake class average) with fish averaging 6.4 inches. Surveys in prior years (conducted in June or July) reported higher crappie catches in trap nets and lower catches in gill nets. The 2011 sample was dominated by fish less than 6 inches, and 65% of the fish were age 1. Sample size of fish over 6 inches was too small to calculate size structure indices or evaluate growth. The trap-net catch for bluegill was within the expected range at 8.0/net. Previous surveys conducted in the months of June or July reported much higher catch rates. Bluegill size structure was relatively poor in the 2011 sample. Fish ranged from 3.5 to 8.8 inches with a mean length of 5.8 inches. Growth was similar to the lake class average, with fish reaching 6.2 inches in six years. Other species sampled in test nets included yellow perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, golden shiner, pumpkinseed sunfish and brown bullhead.

NORTHERN PIKE AND BLUEGILL NUMBERS ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN STATE AND LOCAL CATCH MEDIANS. THE ABUNDANCE OF OTHER FISH IS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE.

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

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

Trestle has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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