Calhoun

A standard survey of Calhoun Lake was conducted during early July of 2023. 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). A spring electrofishing survey for Largemouth Bass was not conducted in 2023 due to time constraints. Calhoun is a moderately sized (618 acers) And moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 13 feet. Residential development (51 homes/cabins-2008 resurvey) has occurred primarily along the north and east shoreline areas. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural row crop drainage into the lake occurs via several inlets/tiles/ditches located along the north, east, and west shore areas. The Middle Fork Crow River enters Calhoun along the southwest corner. Calhoun is connected to Green Lake via a bypass channel of the Middle Fork Crow River and the Green Lake outlet marsh. A dam is located at the outlet on the south shore near the public access. Another dam is on the Middle Fork Crow River downstream of the bypass channel that flows into Calhoun. Water levels were slightly below normal during 2023. A DNR public access is located along the south shore. A township winter access is located on the south shore east of the outlet dam. Early ice out (early-mid march) occurred on area lakes in 2023. Dissolved oxygen was above 9.0 ppm throughout the water column during the 2023 survey. Water nutrient (total phosphorus=0.022 mg/l) results were good during July 23, 2023 (MNPCA). Water clarity (Secchi= 7 feet) was moderate on July 5, 2023. Large emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattails) stands are present along the west and south portions of the lake. Submergent vegetation species are varied and dense (northern milfoil, muskgrass, filamentous algae, water moss, various pondweed species) in Calhoun. Eurasian watermilfoil was first noted in scattered low densities of Calhoun, especially near the Middle Fork Crow River Inlet area, during 2010. Eurasian watermilfoil has been present upstream in nearby Green Lake since 2000. Zebra Mussels were first found upstream if Green Lake in the 2014 fall and are also now present in Calhoun. Shoal water substrates consist mostly of sand, silt, and gravel. Calhoun is a popular Bluegill and Northern Pike fishery but has potential for good Largemouth Bass fishing. Largemouth Bass numbers were excellent in 2023 (11.67 fish/gillnet). Largemouth abundance was low (2.00 fish/gillnet) in 2018. The Largemouth Bass historical average catch rate was 3.56 fish/gillnet. The 2023 Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (1.14 pounds and 12.54 inches) from gillnets. The largest Largemouth Bass captured was 18.11 inches. The 2023 survey showed high numbers of quality size Largemouth Bass. Black Crappie numbers were low in 2023 (2.0 fish/gillnet). The historical average gillnet catch was 4.32 fish/gillnet for Calhoun. The 2023 Black Crappie average size was slightly below average (0.35 pounds and 8.19 inches) from gillnets. Black Crappie growth rates were slower than average. Northern Pike numbers were abundant in 2023 (13.33 fish/gillnet) compared to similar lakes. The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 13.43 fish/gillnet for Callhoun. However, the 2023 Northern Pike average size was small (1.92 pounds and 19.18 inches) from gillnets compared to historical averages (2.33 pounds and 21.01 inches). The largest Northern Pike captured was 30.24 inches. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Calhoun in the North-central Zone are as follows: 10 (Not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediately released.) by angling; 10 (only 1 Northern Pike between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or 2 over 26") by dark house spearing. Yellow Perch numbers were moderately low in 2023 (5.00 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 8.54 fish/gillnet for Calhoun. The 2023 Yellow Perch average size was moderately large (0.38 pounds and 9.14 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.20 pounds from gillnets. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 11.14 inches. Walleye numbers were low in 2023 (1.00 fish/gillnet) compared to similar lakes and the lake average (1.53 fish/gillnet). The 2023 Walleye average size was larger (2.77 pounds and 20.17 inches) than the historical average (2.18 pounds and 17.73 inches). Walleye growth rates were average in Calhoun. The 2019 year class comprised 50% of the 2023 Walleye catch from gillnets and trapnets. The largest Walleye captured was 24.06 inches. Walleye fingerlings, yearlings and adults were stocked recently in Calhoun during 2007 (1,557 yearlings, 150 pounds), 2008 (1,998 adults and yearlings, 687 pounds), 2010 (914 adults, 168 pounds; 5,725 fingerlings, 586 pounds), 2012 (2,505 yearlings, 503 pounds; 1,331 fingerlings, 121 pounds), 2014 (80 adults, 106 pounds; 2,481 yearlings, 541 pounds; 898 fingerlings, 98 pounds) and 2017 (71 adults, 51 pounds; 10,420 fingerlings, 614 pounds), 2019 (722 adults, 487 pounds; 1698 fingerlings, 183 pounds). Bluegill numbers were moderately abundant in 2023 (23.89 fish/trapnet) compared to similar lakes. Bluegill numbers are lower than historical average catch rate (52.78 fish/gillnet) on Calhoun. The 2023 Bluegill average size was similar (0.14 pounds and 5.40 inches) to the historic average (0.13 pounds and 5.44 inches). The number of Bluegill over 6.00 inches was low in 2023. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.19 inches. The 2023 Black Bullhead catch rate was moderate (19.67 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead average size was large (0.77 pounds and 10.98 inches) in gillnets. There was a dramatic increase in Black Bullhead numbers from the 2018 survey (absent) to the 2023 survey. Other fish species of special interest captured in 2023 included low numbers of Common Carp (0.11 fish/trapnet), moderate numbers of Pumpkinseed Sunfish (10.67 fish/gillnet), and high numbers of Yellow Bullhead (28.33 fish/gillnet). The historical average catch rates were 0.79 Common Carp/trapnet, 14.05 Pumpkinseed Sunfish/gillnet, and 19.37 Yellow Bullheads/gillnet. The 2023 average weights were 12.18 pounds, 0.18 pounds, and 0.53 pounds for Common Carp, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead respectfully. Current fish management activities on Calhoun Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, operating the outlet dam to prevent winterkill, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Calhoun fishery will be surveyed in the 2028 summer for all fish species.

A standard survey of Calhoun Lake was conducted during late June of 2018. 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). A spring electrofishing survey for Largemouth Bass was not conducted in 2018 due to time constraints. Calhoun is a moderately sized (618 acres) and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 13 feet. Residential development (51 homes/cabins-2008 resurvey) has occurred primarily along the north and east shoreline areas. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural row crop areas, hardwood tree stands, wetlands, grasslands, and residential homes. Agricultural row crop drainage into the lake occurs via several inlets/tiles/ditches located along the north, east, and west shore areas. The Middle Fork Crow River enters Calhoun along the southwest corner. Calhoun is connected to Green Lake via a bypass channel of the Middle Fork Crow River and the Green Lake outlet marsh. A dam is located at the outlet on the south shore near the public access. Another dam is located on the Middle Fork Crow River downstream of the bypass channel that flows into Calhoun. Water levels were slightly above normal during the 2018. A DNR public access is located along the south shore. Late ice out (late April-early May) occurred on area lakes in 2018. Dissolved oxygen was above 5.0 ppm throughout the water column during the 2018 survey. Water nutrient (total phosphorus=0.022 mg/l) results were good during July 14, 2013 (MNPCA). Water clarity (secchi=6.5 feet) was moderate on June 27, 2018. Large emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattails) stands are present along the west and south portions of the lake. Submergent vegetation species are varied and dense (northern milfoil, muskgrass, filamentous algae, water moss, various pondweed species) in Calhoun. Eurasian watermilfoil was first noted in scattered low densities of Calhoun, especially near the Middle Fork Crow River Inlet area, during 2010. Eurasian watermilfoil has been present upstream in nearby Green Lake since 2000. Zebra Mussels were first found upstream of Green Lake in the 2014 fall and are also now present in Calhoun. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, silt, and gravel. Calhoun is a popular Bluegill and Northern Pike fishery. Local anglers reported moderate success catching adult Walleye in recent years. Largemouth Bass abundance in 2018 (2.00 fish/gillnet) was near the 25th quartile (25th=2.05, 50th=2.33, 75th=3.19 fish/gillnet) for Calhoun and above the 75th quartile (1.50 fish/gillnet) for Lake Class 43 lakes. Largemouth Bass abundance was high (4.50 fish/gillnet) in 2013. The Largemouth Bass historical average catch rate was 2.75 fish/gillnet. The 2018 Largemouth Bass average weight and length were 1.21 pounds and 12.96 inches respectively from gillnets. The Largemouth Bass historical average weight and length were 1.07 pounds and 11.83 inches respectively from gillnets. Largemouth Bass growth rates were near or below the Spicer Area 25th quartiles for ages 1-7. The 2014 year class comprised 43% of the 2018 Largemouth Bass gillnet and trapnet catch. Black Crappie abundance in 2018 (6.00 fish/gillnet) was above the 75th quartile (25th=1.55, 50th=2.83, 75th=5.50 fish/gillnet) for Calhoun and the 50th quartile (3.71 fish/gillnet) for Lake Class 43 lakes. The Black Crappie historical average gillnet catch was 4.55 fish/gillnet for Calhoun. The 2018 Black Crappie trapnet catch (0.67 fish/trapnet) was also below the Calhoun historical trapnet average (2.05 fish/trapnet). The 2018 Black Crappie average weight and length were 0.44 pounds and 9.06 inches respectively from gillnets. The 2018 Black Crappie average weight and length were 0.64 pounds and 10.01 inches from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weights were 0.34 pounds and 0.26 pounds from gillnets and trapnets respectively. The 2018 catch rate of preferred size (10.00 inches and larger) Black Crappie was 1.50 fish/gillnet. Black Crappie growth rates were between the Spicer Area 25th and 50th quartiles for ages 1-8. The 2014 year class comprised 42% of the 2018 Black Crappie gillnet and trapnet catch. Northern Pike abundance in 2018 (11.50 fish/gillnet) was above the near the 50th quartile for Calhoun (25th=9.36, 50th=12.55, 75th=15.83 fish/gillnet) and above the 75th quartile (8.00 fish/gillnet) for Lake Class 43 lakes. The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 13.44 fish/gillnet for Calhoun. The 2018 Northern Pike average weight and length were 1.21 pounds and 16.50 inches respectively from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.36 pounds from gillnets. The 2018 catch rate of quality size (21.00 inches and larger) Northern Pike was 3.00 fish/gillnet. The 2018 catch rate of preferred size (28.00 inches and larger) Northern Pike was 0.00 fish/gillnet. Northern Pike growth rates were below the Spicer Area 25th quartiles for ages 1-6. Approximately 48% of the Northern Pike captured in the 2018 summer survey nets were from the 2015 year class. Yellow Perch abundance in 2018 (5.50 fish/gillnet) was slightly below the 50th quartiles for Calhoun (25th=1.50, 50th=6.08, 75th=11.55 fish/gillnet) and Lake Class 43 lakes (50th=8.00 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 8.90 fish/gillnet for Calhoun. The 2018 Yellow Perch average weight and length were 0.34 pounds and 8.49 inches from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.18 pounds from gillnets. The 2018 catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) Yellow Perch was 5.00 fish/gillnet. Walleye abundance in 2018 (2.00 fish/gillnet) was above the 50th quartile for Calhoun (25th=0.44, 50th=1.00, 75th=2.38 fish/gillnet), but below the 25th quartile (2.28 fish/gillnet) for Lake Class 43 lakes. The Walleye historical catch rate is 1.58 fish/gillnet for Calhoun. The 2018 Walleye average weight and length were 2.95 pounds and 20.20 inches from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.12 pounds from gillnets. The 2018 catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches and larger) Walleye was 2.00 fish/gillnet. Walleye growth rates were generally near or above the Spicer Area 75th quartiles for ages 1-6. The 2014 year class comprised 40% of the 2018 Walleye catch from gillnets and trapnets. Walleye fingerlings, yearlings and adults were stocked recently in Calhoun during 2007 (1,557 yearlings, 150 pounds), 2008 (1,998 adults and yearlings, 687 pounds), 2010 (914 adults, 168 pounds; 5,725 fingerlings, 586 pounds), 2012 (2,505 yearlings, 503 pounds; 1,331 fingerlings, 121 pounds), 2014 (80 adults, 106 pounds; 2,481 yearlings, 541 pounds; 898 fingerlings, 98 pounds) and 2017 (71 adults, 51 pounds; 10,420 fingerlings, 614 pounds). Bluegill abundance in 2018 (35.78 fish/trapnet) was above the 50th quartile for Calhoun (25th=20.94, 50th=31.50, 75th=55.29 fish/trapnet), and above the 75th quartile (75th=20.00 fish/trapnet) for Lake Class 43 lakes. The Bluegill historical catch rate is 54.56 fish/trapnet for Calhoun. Abundant numbers of large Bluegill (13.50 fish/gillnet, 0.24 pounds) were also captured in the 2018 gillnets. The 2018 Bluegill average weight and length were 0.25 pounds and 6.81 inches respectively from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.13 pounds from trapnets. The 2018 catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches and larger) Bluegill was 32.35 fish/trapnet. Bluegill growth rates in Calhoun Lake were below the Spicer Area 25th quartiles for ages 1-4, and between the 25th and 50th quartiles for ages 5-8. The 2010 year class comprised 49% of the total Bluegill catch in the 2018 survey nets. Approximately 1,316 pounds of small (< 6 inches) adult Bluegill (9,212 fish) were removed during the spring of 2004 from Calhoun for stocking into other area lakes with inadequate Bluegill natural reproduction. Also, approximately 252 pounds (1,008 fish) of small Bluegill were removed in 2009 from Calhoun for stocking into other area lakes. Black Bullhead abundance in 2018 (0.00 fish/gillnet) was below the 25th quartiles for Calhoun (25th=6.56, 50th=13.79, 75th=40.42 fish/gillnet) and Lake Class 43 lakes (25th=30.34 fish/gillnet). The 2018 Black Bullhead trapnet catch was also low (0.11 fish/trapnet). The 2018 Black Bullhead average weight and length were 0.11 pounds and 5.91 inches respectively from trapnets. Other fish species of special interest captured in 2018 included moderate numbers of Common Carp (1.56 fish/trapnet), high numbers of Pumpkinseed Sunfish (35.00 fish/gillnet), and high numbers of Yellow Bullhead (26.50 fish/gillnet). The Calhoun historical average catch rates were 0.85 Common Carp/trapnet, 14.39 Pumpkinseed Sunfish/gillnet, and 18.48 Yellow Bullhead/gillnet. The 2018 average weights were 7.07 pounds, 0.23 pounds, and 0.59 pounds for Common Carp, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead respectively. Current fish management activities on Calhoun Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, operating the outlet dam to prevent winterkill, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Calhoun fishery will be surveyed in the 2023 summer for all fish species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Calhoun Lake was conducted on August 28, 2017 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 14 sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 11 stations and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2013 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. Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and 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 Calhoun Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold 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 North Fork Crow River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Walleye in Calhoun. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Calhoun has a maximum depth of 13 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Calhoun has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.