Dixon

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Dixon Lake, which is located partially within Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe nation, was conducted on August 25th and 27th, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment 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 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and site conditions (i.e., dense aquatic vegetation) prevented the use of seines at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). The nearshore data was combined with gill net and trap net data from an August 2024 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Dixon Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Headwaters Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Dixon Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Past sampling indicated panfish populations in Dixon Lake had low to moderate population densities with quality size structure. To protect this resource, a special sunfish regulation was implemented in 2012, reducing the sunfish bag limit to 5. The regulation was intended to maintain the high-quality fishery for sunfish, with a goal of at least 25% of sampled Bluegill exceeding 8 inches. Targeted surveys for panfish were conducted in the spring of 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2023 and 2024 to monitor trends in the panfish populations. In 2024, a total of 100 Bluegill were sampled, ranging from 6.6 to 9.9 inches, with an average length of 8.4 inches. The Bluegill catch rate was 4.2/trap net and has ranged from 0.4 - 3.9/trap net in previous targeted surveys. Like past years, quality size Bluegill were present with fish approaching 10 inches in the sample. Eighty-three percent of Bluegill exceeded 8 inches, surpassing management goals. Ages 3 through 8 were represented, with age 4 and 5 fish making up a majority of the sample. Bluegill averaged 7.8 inches after 4 years of growth, which is similar to previous surveys and above average compared to similar lakes. A total of 92 Black Crappie were sampled ranging from 8.0 to 12.2 inches, with an average length of 9.9 inches. The Black Crappie catch rate was 3.8/trap net and has ranged from 1.5 - 2.5/trap net in previous targeted surveys. Like past assessments, size structure was good and fish larger than 12 inches were noted. Black Crappie averaged 8.9 inches after 4 years of growth which is similar to previous surveys and average compared to similar lakes. Future angling opportunities look promising as there are numbers of Bluegill and Black Crappie in favorable size ranges. Pumpkinseed Sunfish ranged from 5.8 to 8.3 inches with an average length of 7.2 inches. Hybrid Sunfish ranged from 7.2 to 9.2 inches with an average length of 8.4 inches. Other species noted in the survey included Bowfin, Bullheads, Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Tadpole Madtom, Walleye, White Sucker and Yellow Perch.

Past sampling has indicated panfish populations in Dixon Lake had low to moderate population densities with quality size structure. To protect this resource, a special sunfish regulation was implemented in 2012, reducing the sunfish bag limit to 5. Targeted surveys for panfish were conducted in the spring of 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2023 to monitor trends in the panfish populations. In 2023, a total of 147 Bluegill were sampled, ranging from 3.4 to 10.3 inches, with an average length of 7.3 inches. The Bluegill catch rate was 3.3/trap net and has ranged from 0.4 - 3.9/trap net in previous targeted surveys. Like past years, quality size Bluegill were present in the survey with fish over 10 inches observed. Bluegill averaged 7.8 inches after 4 years of growth, which is similar to previous surveys and above average compared to similar lakes. A total of 99 Black Crappie were sampled ranging from 5.7 to 14.1 inches, with an average length of 9.1 inches. The Black Crappie catch rate was 2.2/trap net and has ranged from 1.5 - 2.5/trap net in previous targeted surveys. Like Bluegill, size structure was good and fish larger than 14 inches were noted. Crappie averaged 8.7 inches after 4 years of growth which is similar to previous surveys and average compared to similar lakes. Future angling opportunities look promising as there are numbers of Bluegill and Black Crappie just below the preferred size ranges that will be recruiting to the fishery in the coming years. Pumpkinseed Sunfish ranged from 5.8 to 7.9 inches with an average length of 7.1 inches. Hybrid Sunfish ranged from 7.1 to 9.1 inches with an average length of 7.9 inches. Other species noted in the survey included Bowfin, Bullheads, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

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

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

Dixon has a maximum depth of 29 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Dixon is from 2025.

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