Elizabeth (Main Lake)

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Lake Elizabeth during August 27, 2024 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to fry stocking/natural reproduction. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e., spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e., standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e., lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). The 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted at three stations for a total of 30 minutes. Water levels were high. Submergent vegetation was sparse (i.e., sago pondweed). Water clarity was poor (<2 feet) due to a blue-green algae bloom. Water temperature was at 78 F. A light north wind with cloudy conditions were present during the survey. We observed abundant numbers of YOY Largemouth Bass, YOY Yellow Perch, adult Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo in the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Moderate numbers of Northern Pike are also present in Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a large (1,023 acres), shallow (9 feet maximum depth), turbid, periodically aerated and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. A significant winterkill of Walleye and Common Carp with a lesser degree of Northern Pike and Yellow Perch occurred during the 2022-23 winter. Many of the dead fish were observed in the access bay adjacent to the Ella Outlet. The surface aerators were run the entire 2022-23 winter (Northeast side of Elizabeth), but the fish kill occurred primarily on the northwest side of the lake. Lake Ella also experienced a significant winterkill of Walleye and Common Carp. The Elizabeth ice out trapnetting catch (9 single frame sets during late April of 2023) consisted of numerous adult Northern Pike and Black Bullhead in addition to low numbers of adult Common Carp, Walleye and Black Crappie. Poor conditions such as high snowfall, long winter duration, low water and high aquatic vegetation contributed to the winterkill severity in many local lakes during the 2022-23 winter. The aeration system did provide a refuge for some gamefish to survive in Elizabeth. A moderate size Cormorant rookery is located on one of the smaller islands. Walleye natural reproduction in Elizabeth is sporadic during most years based on previous surveys. Although, adequate windswept shoal water substrates for good Walleye spawning habitat are present in Elizabeth. Walleye egg take had periodically occurred on Elizabeth for statewide quotas from 2011-2022. Elizabeth contributed 30+ quarts of Walleye eggs in 2014 and 2018-2022. The highest amount of Walleye eggs taken was in 2021 (160 quarts). Walleye fry (0.3-1.0 million) had been stocked generally every other year from 1983 to 2013 in Elizabeth. Only Spicer Strain Walleye have been stocked in Elizabeth since 2005. Approximately 1.0 million Walleye fry were stocked in 2013 and 2014 (part of a 10% return for Walleye egg take). No Walleye fry were stocked in 2015. Approximately 820,000 fry were stocked in 2016. There were about 500,000 Spicer strain Walleye fry stocked in 2017. There were 205,000 Walleye fry stocked in Elizabeth during 2018 (part of egg take return). In 2019, 252,00 Walleye fry were stocked in Elizabeth. No Walleye fry were stocked or eggs taken in 2020 due to Covid. About 500,000 Walleye fry were stocked in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Both Walleye fry (350,890 fish) and fingerlings (2,254 fish, 322 pounds) were stocked in 2024. Moderate young of year "YOY" Walleye numbers were collected in both 2024 (18.00 YOY/hour, 5.30 inches) and 2023 (16.80 YOY/hour, 5.66 inches) daytime electrofishing surveys. Abundant YOY (92.00 YOY/hour, 6.02 inches) were captured in a 2022 daytime electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye are probably more numerous than documented in 2022-2024 due to daytime electrofishing being less effective than nighttime electrofishing for catching YOY Walleye. A fall electrofishing survey was not conducted in Elizabeth during 2021. Low YOY Walleye numbers (1.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches) due to natural reproduction were captured in 2020 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY (80.00 YOY/hour, 6.52 inches) and Yearling Walleye numbers (24.00 fish/hour, 10.64 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (52.00 YOY/hour, 6.78 inches) were captured in the 2018 fall night electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers (30.00 YOY/hour, 6.44 inches average) were captured in the 2017 fall night electrofishing survey. Yearling Walleye numbers captured were also low (4.00 fish/hour, 10.39 inches average) in 2017. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (77.42 YOY/hour, 6.34 inches) were captured in 2016 fall night electrofishing survey. Adult Walleye were low (3.67 fish/gillnet, 3.16 pounds, and 20.8 inches) in the most recent 2022 June gillnet and trapnet survey. The 2018 year class comprised 41% of the 2022 survey catch. However, Walleye numbers are reduced as of 2023 due to the recent winterkill. A partial winterkill of mostly Common Carp with lower numbers of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie occurred due to high snowfall accumulations resulting in low oxygen levels in late February of 2019. However, we caught abundant numbers of Walleye and other gamefish during our April Walleye egg takes in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Oxygen levels were low in February of 2022 even with the aeration system running, but no winterkill was observed. The Walleye spawning population consisted mostly of females in the 2022 egg take netting. Walleye hatch percentage was close to 69% from Elizabeth eggs due in part to ideal water temperatures (44-50 F) during the 2022 spring egg take. The Elizabeth fishery will be surveyed in the 2026 summer for all fish species. Walleye fry are scheduled to be stocked annually (up to 500,000 fish). Fall electrofishing surveys will be periodically conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Lake Elizabeth during September 7, 2023 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to fry stocking/natural reproduction. The 2023 fall electrofishing survey was conducted at three stations for a total of 25 minutes. Water levels were low with moderate sago pondweed present. Water clarity was poor (50 F) during egg take. We took 160 quarts of Walleye eggs in 2021, but the hatch was poor (25%) likely due to warm water temperatures above 50 F. during the egg take. Oxygen levels were low in February of 2022 even with the aeration system running, but no winterkill was observed. The Walleye spawning population consisted mostly of females in the 2022 egg take netting. Walleye hatch percentage was close to 69% from Elizabeth eggs due in part to ideal water temperature (44-50 F) during the 2022 spring egg take. No Walleye eggs were taken in 2020 (covid) or 2023 (winterkill). The Elizabeth fishery will be surveyed in the 2026 summer for all fish species. Walleye fry are scheduled to be stocked annually (up to 500,000 fish). Fall electrofishing surveys will be periodically conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

A standard survey was conducted during early June of 2022 to evaluate all fish species. A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Lake Elizabeth during September 28, 2022 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to fry stocking or natural reproduction. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e., spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e., standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Elizabeth was scheduled for a 2021 standard survey, but low water and high submergent vegetation densities precluded this survey. A standard survey was conducted during early June of 2022. However, low water levels and high submergent vegetation was still the norm in 2022. The secchi disc reading was 5.5 feet on June 8, 2022. Previous fall electrofishing surveys were generally conducted at three stations for a total of 30 minutes as was the 2022 survey. Unlike previous surveys, the 2022 electrofishing survey was conducted during the daytime due sampling conflicts with other lakes. A fall electrofishing survey was not conducted in 2021 for Elizabeth. Sampling conditions were difficult in both the 2022 June standard and fall electrofishing surveys due to low water levels. Submergent vegetation was varied at different electrofishing stations in 2022. Water temperature was 61 F. with a clarity of only six inches during the 2022 fall electrofishing survey. We observed abundant numbers of small Yellow Perch in the 2022 fall electrofishing survey. Elizabeth is a large (1,023 acres), shallow (9 feet maximum depth), turbid, periodically aerated and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. A moderate sized cormorant rookery is present on one of the smaller islands. Water levels have been low since 2020. Submergent vegetation was abundant in 2020-2022. Winterkill rarely occurs in Elizabeth due to the operation of surface aerators. The aeration system was operational during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 winters. Oxygen levels were high during January of 2019. A partial winterkill of mostly Common Carp with lower numbers of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie occurred due to high snowfall accumulations resulting in low oxygen levels in late February of 2019. However, we caught abundant numbers of Walleye and other gamefish during our April Walleye egg take netting in 2019. We took 106 quarts of Walleye eggs during 2019, however the hatching/fertilization success was poor due in part to stress on fish by low winter oxygen levels and rapidly warming temperatures (>50 F) during egg take. Oxygen levels were low in February of 2022 even with the aeration system running, but no winterkill was observed. The Walleye spawning population consisted mostly of females in the 2022 egg take netting. Walleye hatch percentage was close to 69% from Elizabeth eggs due in part to ideal water temperature (44-50 F) during the 2022 spring egg take. Oxygen levels were low during February of 2023 due mostly numerous heavy snowfall events. The aeration system (northeast bay) was turned on December 29, 2022. Significant numbers of Walleye, Yellow Perch and Common Carp died due to winterkill in the immediate area of the shallow northwest access bay and Lake Ella outlet area. We did catch low numbers of Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Walleye from ice out trapnets during late April of 2023. Black Bullhead numbers were abundant in the nets. The aeration system did provide a refuge for some gamefish to survive in Elizabeth. Winterkill was more prevalent in southern and western Minnesota shallow lakes in 2023 than during other years. The June and September of 2022 survey results are no longer valid due to significant winterkill in 2023. Walleye abundance was low (3.67 fish/gillnet) in the 2022 standard survey unlike a previous 2016 standard survey (18.67 fish/gillnet, 1.04 pounds and 13.9 inches). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 9.23 fish/gillnet. The Walleye average size was large (3.17 pounds and 20.8 inches) in 2022. The Walleye historical average size is 2.06 pounds and 17.0 inches. The Walleye catch rate of preferred size (20.0 inches plus) was low (2.0 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were good to excellent. The 2018 year class comprised 41% of the 2022 gillnet and trapnet catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Elizabeth is sporadic during most years based on previous surveys and analysis. Although, adequate windswept shoal water substrates for good Walleye spawning habitat are present in Elizabeth. Walleye egg take had occurred in recent years on Elizabeth for statewide quotas. Walleye fry (0.3-1.0 million) had been stocked generally every other year from 1983 to 2013 in Elizabeth. Spicer strain Walleye have been stocked into Elizabeth since 2005. Walleye fry are currently stocked every year during egg take operations. Walleye egg take resumed in 2021 and 2022. Walleye fry were recently stocked in 2022 (511,500 fry) and 2021 (513,142 fry). No Walleye eggs were taken or fry stocked in 2020. In 2019, 251,955 Walleye fry were stocked in Elizabeth. There were 205,472 Walleye fry stocked in Elizabeth during 2018 (part of egg take return). In 2017, there were 510,003 Spicer strain Walleye stocked in Elizabeth. Approximately 1.06 million Walleye fry were stocked in 2014 (part of a 10% return for Walleye egg take) and 2013 (scheduled stocking and 10% return). Walleye fingerlings were only stocked with substantial numbers in 1996 (46,000 fish), however recruitment was poor due in part to a partial winterkill in 1997. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (92.00 YOY/hour, 6.0 inches) were captured in the 2022 fall daytime electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye catch rate would probably have been much higher if the 2022 survey was conducted at night. Low YOY Walleye numbers (1.00 YOY/hour, 5.6 inches) were captured in 2020 fall electrofishing survey. Walleye natural reproduction success was poor in 2020. Abundant YOY (80.00 YOY/hour, 6.5 inches) and Yearling Walleye numbers (24.00 fish/hour, 10.6 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Moderate YOY Walleye numbers (52.00 YOY/hour, 6.8 inches) were captured in the 2018 fall electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers (30.00 YOY/hour, 6.4 inches average) were captured in 2017. Yearling Walleye numbers captured were also low (4.00 fish/hour, 10.4 inches average) in 2017. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (77.42 YOY/hour, 6.3 inches) were captured in 2016 fall night electrofishing survey. There were no yearling Walleye captured in the 2016 fall electrofishing survey. Yellow Perch numbers were abundant in June of 2022 (43.00 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average is 17.86 fish/gillnet. The Yellow Perch average size was small (0.12 pounds and 6.3 inches) in 2022. The historical average size is 0.23 pounds and 7.1 inches. The Yellow Perch catch rate of quality size (8.0 inches plus) was low (3.33 fish/gillnet). Northern Pike numbers were abundant in June of 2022 (16.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 7.38 fish/gillnet. The Northern Pike average size was small (2.24 pounds and 21.4 inches). The Northern Pike historical average size is 2.51 pounds and 22.2 inches. The Northern Pike catch rate of preferred size (28.0 inches plus) was low (1.00 fish/gillnet). Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Elizabeth in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26.0 inches; and all from 22.0 to 26.0 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22.0 and 26.0 inches or two larger than 26.0 inches. Black Crappie abundance was low in June of 2022 (0.00 fish/gillnet and 0.60 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rates are 2.88 fish/gillnet and 3.95 fish/trapnet. The 2022 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.40 pounds and 7.8 inches) in trapnets. Bluegill numbers were abundant in June of 2022 (10.10 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 8.41 fish/trapnet. The 2022 Bluegill average size was small (0.11 pounds and 5.4 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average size is 0.18 pounds and 4.9 inches from trapnets. The Bluegill catch rate of quality size (6.0 inches plus) was low (1.50 fish/trapnet). Black Bullhead numbers were abundant in the 2022 gillnets (76.67 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead average size was small (0.11 pounds and 6.2 inches). Yellow Bullhead numbers were moderate in the 2022 trapnets (1.40 fish/trapnet). Yellow Bullhead average size was moderate (0.40 pounds and 9.0 inches). Common Carp numbers were moderate in 2022 (1.70 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp average size was moderate (4.98 pounds and 20.4 inches). The Elizabeth fishery will be surveyed in the June of 2023 to further assess the winterkill effects on the fish population. A full standard survey will be conducted in 2026 summer for all fish species. Walleye fry are scheduled to be stocked annually (up to 500,000 fish) during egg take years or every other year during non-egg take years. Fall night electrofishing surveys will be conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch in Elizabeth (Main Lake). See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Elizabeth (Main Lake). Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Elizabeth (Main Lake) has a maximum depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Elizabeth (Main Lake) is from 2022.

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