Ella

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Ella during September 7, 2023 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Two stations were sampled for a total of 20 minutes. The water temperature was 73 F. Water clarity was poor (6"). Light densities of sago pondweed were present during the 2023 electrofishing survey. 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). Lake Ella experienced a significant winterkill of Walleye and Common Carp during the 2022-23 winter. Lake Elizabeth also had a significant winterkill of Walleye and Common Carp near the Lake Ella outlet area. The Ella standard lake survey trapnet catch (3 single frame sets during early June of 2023) consisted of numerous adult Northern Pike, White Crappie and Black Bullhead in addition to low numbers of Bluegill, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. Poor conditions such as high snowfall, long winter duration, low water and high aquatic vegetation contributed to the winterkill severity in many local lakes for 2022-23 winter. A partial winterkill of mostly Common Carp and Walleye occurred near the outlet area during February of 2019. Ella is a small (153 acres), shallow (12 feet maximum depth), and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Walleye natural reproduction in Ella is generally insignificant or rare based on previous surveys. Walleye movement out of or into Ella via Lake Elizabeth can also occur during high water events. Walleye fry were generally stocked in Ella every other odd year from 1983-2007. Ella was stocked with 33,403 and 35,051 Walleye frylings (1-2 inch average length) in late/mid-June of 2008 and 2010 respectively. YOY Walleye catch rates were low to moderate in 2008 (25.26 YOY/hour, 7.01 inches length) and 2010 (42.00 YOY/hour, 6.55 inches) fall electrofishing surveys, but better than fall electrofishing surveys of 2003-2007 fry stocked years (3-20 YOY/hour). Walleye fry were stocked into Ella due to no/minimal fryling availability during 2015 (152,385 fry), 2017 (103,822 fry), 2018 (115,064 fry), 2019 (101,232 fry), 2021 (105,525 fry) and 2023 (76,262 fry). The fryling program has been discontinued. Low numbers of YOY Walleye (6.00 YOY/hour, 5.66 inches) were caught in the 2023 fall daytime electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye are probably more numerous than documented in 2023 due to daytime electrofishing being less effective than nighttime electrofishing for catching YOY Walleye. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (102.00 YOY/hour, 5.57 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey. No Yearling Walleye were captured in 2019. We observed moderate numbers of Bluegill in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers (18.00 YOY/hour, 6.17 inches) and no yearling Walleye were captured in the 2018 fall night electrofishing survey. No YOY or yearling Walleye were captured in the 2017 fall night electrofishing survey. Moderate numbers of YOY Walleye (42.00 YOY/hour, 6.12 inches) were captured in the 2015 fall night electrofishing survey. Nearby Lake Elizabeth had a slightly lower catch rate (30.00 YOY/hour, 5.52 inches), but no Walleye fry were stocked in Elizabeth during 2015. Low YOY Walleye numbers (6.00 YOY/hour, 7.68 inches average length) due to natural reproduction or movement from Elizabeth were sampled in the 2013 night fall electrofishing survey. Walleye fingerlings (239 pounds, 5,975 fish) were stocked into Ella during the 2013 fall after the fall night electrofishing survey. Adult Walleye numbers (10.33 fish/gillnet, 1.42 pounds and 15.60 inches) were abundant in the most recent 2021 standard summer gillnet and trapnet survey. Approximately 50% of the 2021 summer catch was from the 2019 year class. However, Walleye numbers are currently reduced as of 2023 due to the recent winterkill. The Ella fishery will be surveyed in the 2026 summer for all fish species. Walleye fry will be stocked annually. Fall night electrofishing surveys will be conducted periodically during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of these stockings.

A standard survey of Lake Ella was conducted during mid-June of 2021. 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). Ella is a small (153 acres), shallow (12 feet maximum depth), and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Several springs are located along the north shore. Ella is not aerated. Partial winterkills have occurred in Ella, but are generally rare. A partial winterkill of mostly Common Carp occurred near the outlet area during February of 2019. Conditions were conducive for a winterkill with an uncharacteristically long and cold winter with high amounts of snowfall in 2014. A partial winterkill resulted in low numbers of dead fish (Common Carp, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Black Crappie) present after ice out, but gamefish species were abundant in spring ice out trapnets during 2014. Low numbers of Common Carp were observed dead following ice out in 2019. Nearby Lake Elizabeth experienced a partial winterkill of mostly Common Carp during 2019. Winter dissolved oxygen levels were adequate during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 winters in Ella. High nutrient runoff inflows are common into Ella during rain events from agricultural sources via the shoreline areas, tiles, and ditches. The outlet connects to Lake Elizabeth during moderate to high water levels. Fish movement between the two lakes is possible via the outlet channel during high flows. Water levels were low in 2020 and 2021. There were moderate levels of total phosphorus (0.030 ppm) and chlorophyll-a (8.9 ppb) in Ella during 2016. Dissolved oxygen readings were slightly variable from 8.25 ppm at the surface to 5.23 ppm at 7 feet deep during 2021 survey. The water clarity was poor (secchi disc=2.0 feet) and green-brown stained during the 2021 survey. Light stands of submergent vegetation were noted along the north shore littoral areas. No curly-leaf pondweed was observed in 2021. High densities of submergent vegetation (curly-leaf pondweed) were present during the spring and summer of 2002, however densities were low during 2006, 2011 and 2021. Densities of curly-leaf pondweed were also low in 2016 with the only high density area being in Southeast bay near public access. Low densities of other submergent vegetation species included sago pondweed, water moss, and coontail in 2016. Broad-leaved and narrow leaf cattails were a common emergent around the south and east shoreline areas. Shoalwater substrates were mostly marl, muck, silt, and clay. Residential development is limited to several farm sites and one cabin. Yellow Perch abundance in 2021 was low (0.67 fish/gillnet) for Ella. The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 9.85 fish/gillnet. The Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.21 pounds and 7.36 inches) from the 2021 gillnet catch. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.17 pounds for Ella. The Yellow Perch catch rate of quality size (8.00 plus inches) was low (0.33 fish/gillnet) in 2021. Northern Pike abundance in 2021 was low (1.00 fish/gillnet) for Ella. The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 4.71 fish/gillnet. The Northern Pike average size was small (1.50 pounds and 19.02 inches) from the 2021 gillnet catch. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.70 pounds from gillnets. The Northern Pike catch rate of quality size (21.00 plus inches) was low (0.33 fish/gillnet) in 2021. Northern Pike growth rates were within the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-7. The 2019-year class comprised 50% of the 2021 Northern Pike survey catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Ella in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches or two larger than 26 inches. Bluegill abundance in 2021 was moderate (22.33 fish/trapnet) for Ella. The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 22.77 fish/trapnet. The highest recorded Bluegill catch rate (96.00 fish/trapnet, 5.03 inches average length) occurred in 2006. The 2021 Bluegill average size was small (0.07 pounds and 4.67 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.15 pounds from trapnets. The Bluegill catch rate of quality size (6.00 plus inches) was 0.17 fish/trapnet in 2021. Black Crappie gillnet abundance in 2021 was low (1.00 fish/gillnet) for Ella. Black Crappie trapnet abundance was moderate (9.00 fish/trapnet) for Ella. The Black Crappie historical average catch rates are 8.42 fish/gillnet and 13.15 fish/trapnet. The 2021 Black Crappie average size was small (0.21 pounds and 7.14 inches) from the gillnet catch. The 2021 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.33 pounds and 7.64 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weights are 0.15 and 0.23 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets. The Black Crappie catch rate of preferred size (10.00 plus inches) was 2.33 fish/trapnet in 2021. The largest Black Crappie captured was 12.24 inches. Black Crappie growth rates were generally above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-6. The 2019 year class comprised 43% of the Black Crappie 2021 survey catch. White Crappie gillnet abundance in 2021 was high (4.33 fish/gillnet) and above the historical average (0.17 fish/gillnet). White Crappie trapnet abundance (18.67 fish/trapnet) in 2021 was also above the historical average (4.10 fish/trapnet). White Crappie were not captured in 2016 nets. The 2021 White Crappie average size was large (0.64 pounds and 10.11 inches) from trapnets. The White Crappie historical average weight is 0.67 pounds from trapnets in Ella. White Crappie growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-5. There were four White Crappie moderate year classes (2020, 2019, 2016 and 2015) present in Ella. Largemouth Bass abundance was low (1.50 fish/trapnet) in the 2021 trapnet catch. The historical average catch rate is 1.95 fish/trapnet. The Largemouth Bass average size was 1.89 pounds and 14.64 inches from trapnets. Largemouth Bass were not captured in the trapnets or gillnet during 2011. The largest Largemouth Bass was 17.20 inches in the 2021 survey nets. Walleye abundance in 2021 was high (10.33 fish/gillnet) for Ella. The Walleye historical average catch rate is 7.71 fish/gillnet. The 2021 Walleye average size was moderate (1.42 pounds and 15.60 inches) from the gillnet catch. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.95 pounds. The Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.00 plus inches) was moderate (4.00 fish/gillnet) in 2021. Walleye growth rates were generally above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-8. The 2019-year class (50% of the survey catch) is probably from a 2019 fry stocking. Walleye movement from Elizabeth into Ella and nearby Carrie is also possible during high water. Walleye natural reproduction in Ella is generally insignificant or rare based on previous fall and summer surveys. Prior to 2008, Walleye fry were stocked in Ella every other odd year from 1983 to 2007. Walleye fry stockings were generally successful during the 1990's as documented by fall electrofishing and summer surveys, but generally poor from 2003 to 2007. Walleye frylings (approximately 1 inch average length, 1,500 fish/pound) became available from the New London Hatchery in 2008. Ella was stocked with Walleye frylings in 2008 (33,403 fish) and 2010 (35,051 fish). Young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye catch rates were low to moderate in 2008 (25.26 YOY/hour, 7.01 inches length) and 2010 (42.00 YOY/hour, 6.55 inches) fall electrofishing surveys, but better than fall electrofishing surveys during recent fry stocking years. YOY Walleye average size was excellent in 2008 and 2010 fall electrofishing surveys. Walleye frylings were unavailable during 2012 and 2013. Low YOY Walleye numbers (6.00 YOY/hour, 7.68 inches average length) due to natural reproduction or movement from Elizabeth were sampled in the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. Thus, Walleye fingerlings were stocked in 2013 (5,975 fish, 239 pounds) after the survey. Walleye fry were stocked into Ella due to no/minimal fryling availability during 2015 (152,385 fry), 2017 (103,822 fry), 2018 (115,064 fry), 2019 (101,232 fry) and 2021 (115,064 fry). Only Spicer strain Walleye fry have been stocked into Ella since 2017. Moderate numbers of YOY Walleye (42.00 YOY/hour, 6.12 inches) during a 2015 fry stocked year were captured in the 2015 fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye numbers were low in 2017 (0.00 YOY/hour) and 2018 (18.00 YOY/hour, 6.17 inches). Abundant YOY numbers (102.00 YOY/hour, 5.57 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Channel Catfish were first sampled (1.67 fish/gillnet) during 2021 for Ella. The Channel Catfish average size was moderate (4.26 pounds and 22.77 inches) from gillnets. The largest Channel Catfish was 23.74 inches. Channel Catfish were first captured in nearby and connected Lake Elizabeth in the 2011 survey. Black Bullhead abundance in 2021 was low (0.67 fish/gillnet) for Ella. The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate is 22.86 fish/gillnet. Black Bullhead catch rate (0.33 fish/trapnet) was also low in the 2021 trapnets. The 2021 Black Bullhead average size was large (1.12 pounds and 12.52 inches) from gillnet catch. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.56 pounds from gillnets. Common Carp abundance in 2021 was low (1.00 fish/trapnet) for Ella. The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 1.78 fish/trapnet. The 2016 Common Carp average size was large (6.71 pounds and 23.76 inches) from trapnets. The historical average weight is 5.81 pounds from trapnets. Bigmouth Buffalo gillnet abundance in 2021 (1.67 fish/gillnet) was above the historical average (1.50 fish/gillnet). The Bigmouth Buffalo trapnet abundance was 0.33 fish/trapnet for Ella. The 2021 Bigmouth Buffalo average weights were 3.17 pounds and 5.60 pounds for gillnets and trapnets respectively. Current fish management activities on Ella include monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking Walleye fry or frylings every other year. The Ella fishery will be surveyed in the 2026 summer for all fish species. Fall electrofishing surveys will be conducted during Walleye fry or fryling stocked years to assess the success or failure of these stockings.

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Ella during September 5, 2019 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Ella is a small (153 acres), shallow (12 feet maximum depth), and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Walleye natural reproduction in Ella is generally insignificant or rare based on previous surveys. Walleye movement out of or into Ella via Lake Elizabeth can also occur during high water events. Walleye fry were generally stocked in Ella every other odd year from 1983-2007. Ella was stocked with 33,403 and 35,051 Walleye frylings (1-2 inch average length) in late/mid-June of 2008 and 2010 respectively. YOY Walleye catch rates were low to moderate in 2008 (25.26 YOY/hour, 7.01 inches length) and 2010 (42.00 YOY/hour, 6.55 inches) fall electrofishing surveys, but better than fall electrofishing surveys of 2003-2007 fry stocking years (3-20 YOY/hour). Walleye fry were stocked into Ella due to no/minimal fryling availability during 2015 (152,385 fry), 2017 (103,822 fry), 2018 (115,064 fry) and 2019 (101,232 fry). A partial winterkill of mostly Common Carp occurred near the outlet area during February of 2019. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (102.00 YOY/hour, 5.57 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. No Yearling Walleye were captured in 2019. We observed moderate numbers of Bluegill in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers (18.00 YOY/hour, 6.17 inches) and no yearling Walleye were captured in the 2018 fall electrofishing survey. No YOY or yearling Walleye were captured in the 2017 fall electrofishing survey. Moderate numbers of YOY Walleye (42.00 YOY/hour, 6.12 inches) were captured in the 2015 fall night electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers (6.00 YOY/hour, 7.68 inches average length) due to natural reproduction or movement from connected Lake Elizabeth were sampled in the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. Walleye fingerlings (239 pounds, 5,975 fish) were stocked into Ella during the 2013 fall after the fall electrofishing survey. Adult Walleye numbers (12.00 fish/gillnet, 1.73 pounds and 17.1 inches) were abundant in the most recent 2016 standard summer gillnet and trapnet survey. Approximately 73% of the 2016 summer catch were from the 2013 year class. The Ella fishery will be surveyed in the 2021 summer for all fish species. Walleye fry will be stocked in 2021. Fall night electrofishing surveys will be conducted during Walleye fry or fryling stocked years to assess the success or failure of these stockings.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target White Crappie, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Walleye in Ella. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Ella has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ella is from 2021.

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