Fish

Fish Lake is a 78-acre lake located in Le Sueur County north of the city of Elysian. A DNR-owned public access is located on the southeast corner of the lake off Le Sueur County Road 14. Fish Lake is a small, clear lake with a maximum depth of 55 feet. Minimal shoreline development, abundant and diverse vegetation, clear, deep water, and a nearly undisturbed watershed make Fish Lake an outlier among southern Minnesota lakes. No stocking plan exists for Fish Lake, so the fish community persists exclusively from natural recruitment. Fish Lake was surveyed the week of 2 June 2025 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying two gill nets and eight trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. To assess the Largemouth Bass population, boat electrofishing was also conducted. The next standard survey is scheduled for 2031. Bluegill were the most abundant fish in the 2025 survey with a total of 260 fish collected in trap nets (32.5 fish/net. This catch rate is similar to the long-term average for Fish Lake (34.4 fish/net). Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.2 to 8.5 inches and averaged 6.2 inches. Three percent of Bluegill from trap nets measured 8.0 inches or larger, which did not meet the management goal for Fish Lake (10% greater than 8.0 inches). The catch rate of 32.5 fish/net exceeded the management plan goal of 30.0 fish/net. The Largemouth Bass population in Fish Lake was assessed by boat electrofishing along the entire shoreline. All Largemouth Bass (N = 72) were measured and released after scale samples were taken for aging. The catch rate of Largemouth Bass was 61.9 fish/hour, which was just below the lake average of 70.3 fish/hour. Largemouth Bass lengths ranged from 2.8 to 18.9 inches and averaged 8.0 inches. The Northern Pike catch rate in 2025 (8.3/net) rebounded above the long-term average for Fish Lake (5.9 /net). The lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 9.2 to 37.1 inches and averaged 23.7 inches. Forty eight percent of Northern Pike sampled were greater than the 24 in minimum harvest size limit. The catch rate in 2025 (8.3 fish/net) was above the management goal of 3.0 fish/net and the population size structure management goal (30% > 24 inches) was exceeded. Like all fish species in Fish Lake, Northern Pike are completely sustained through natural recruitment. Black Crappie catch rates in 2014 (1.5/trap net) and 2019 (4.1/trap net) were higher than historical catch rates. However, the 2025 catch rate was 0.6 fish per trap net, similar to surveys prior to 2014. The average trap net catch rate of Black Crappie for Fish lake is 1.1 fish per trap net. Black Crappie from trap nets and gill nets averaged 8.4 inches in length. The 2025 survey did not reach the management goal of 15.0 fish/trap net and 30% of the catch measuring 10.0 inches or larger. Black Crappie catch rates in trap nets may not have accurately represented population abundance due to clear water and steep drop-offs along much of the shoreline of Fish Lake. Like Bluegill, Pumpkinseed are members of the sunfish family and are enjoyable to catch on light tackle. The 2025 catch rate of Pumpkinseed (4.8 fish/trap net) for Fish Lake ranks above the average of 2.9 per net. Pumpkinseed lengths ranged from 4.1 to 7.4 inches and averaged 5.9 inches. Pumpkinseed can be distinguished from Bluegill by the orange spot at the tip of the opercular flap and the lack of a dark blotch near the back of the dorsal fin. Yellow Bullheads inhabit clear, less productive water, much like that of Fish Lake. The catch rate of Yellow Bullheads in the 2025 survey was 3.0 fish/gill net. Yellow Bullheads were also collected in trap nets at a rate of 0.6 fish/net which was the lowest relative abundance of Yellow Bullheads on record. Yellow Bullheads from both gear types ranged from 8.7 to 12.4 inches and averaged 11.8 inches. Additional fish species collected in low abundance during the 2025 survey included Black Bullhead, Bowfin, and Common Carp, Golden Shiner, and Yellow Perch. Water quality parameter measurements included secchi depth, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen readings. At the time of this survey, secchi depth was 9.5 feet, which indicates clear water. Fish Lake has some of the clearest water in southern Minnesota. Water temperatures readings throughout the water column ranged from 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit at 41 feet. No thermocline was detected. The dissolved oxygen ranged from 12.7 ppm at 9 feet to 0 ppm at 26 feet. Water deeper than 17 feet had dissolved oxygen levels below 2.0 ppm which is the threshold which negatively affects fish. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Fish Lake was conducted on July 12, 2022, by DNR Fisheries staff. Ten 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 7 sampling stations, but 3 stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 2 stations, a 15-foot seine was used at 5 stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at 3 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 12 species of fish including 5 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and 0 species that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a standard 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., Least Darter), 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. Data from this survey indicates Fish Lake is in good health, and near exceptional 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 Cannon River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Fish Lake is a 78-acre lake located in Le Sueur County north of the city of Elysian. A DNR-owned public access is located on southeast corner of the lake off Le Sueur County Road 14. Fish Lake is a small, clear lake with a maximum depth of 55 feet. Minimal shoreline development, abundant and diverse aquatic vegetation, and a nearly undisturbed watershed make Fish Lake an outlier among southern Minnesota lakes. Fish Lake is managed primarily for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike and secondarily for Black Crappie. No stocking plan exists for Fish Lake, so the fish community persists exclusively from natural recruitment. Fish Lake was surveyed the week of June 3, 2019 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This standard survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying gill nets and trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (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, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Bluegill were the most abundant fish in 2019 survey, with a total of 456 fish collected in trap nets (57.0 fish/net). This catch rate is well above the long-term average for Fish Lake (31.4 fish/net) and is the highest recorded since 1979. Bluegill lengths ranged from 2.9 to 9.0 inches and averaged 7.1 inches, indicating a moderate size for Bluegill in Fish Lake. Seventeen percent of Bluegill from trap nets measured 8.0 inches or larger. The Largemouth Bass population in Fish Lake was assessed by boat electrofishing along the entire shoreline. In 2019 electrofishing was conducted at night for the first time. All Largemouth Bass (N = 130) were measured and released after scale samples were taken for aging. Largemouth Bass lengths ranged from 4.8 to 19.8 inches and averaged 9.7 inches, indicating a relatively small size structure. Most of the population consists of young individuals, as 89% of the total catch was five years old or less. The average length of Largemouth Bass in Fish Lake was 6.1 inches at age-2, 8.9 inches at age-3, and 10.7 inches at age-4, and 11.9 inches at age-5. The Northern Pike catch rate in Fish Lake has historically been moderate to high compared to similar lakes since 1979. Catch rates fell in 2014 when the catch rate was 2.0 fish/gill net and again in 2019 when the catch rate was only 1.5 fish/gill net. The 2019 catch rate is well below the long-term average for Fish Lake (6.3 fish/net). The length of Northern Pike ranged from 18.0 to 37.2 inches and averaged 26.5 inches, indicating moderate size. Like all fish species in Fish Lake, Northern Pike are completely sustained through natural recruitment. Fish Lake is located in the Southern Northern Pike management zone. To legally harvest Northern Pike in the Southern zone, the fish must be over 24 inches in total length. The daily limit is 2 fish in this zone. Black Crappie catch rates from 1989 to 2014 averaged only 1.1 fish/trap net. However, the 2019 survey yielded 4.1 fish/net, which is a significant increase from previous years. Black Crappie were also collected in gill nets at a rate of 0.5 fish/net, which is high compared to similar lakes. Black Crappie from both gear types averaged 7.9 inches in length. The largest individual measured was 11.3 inches. Like Bluegill, Pumpkinseed are members of the sunfish family and are enjoyable to catch on light tackle. The 2019 catch rate of Pumpkinseed (7.0 fish/trap net) was the second highest on record for Fish Lake. Pumpkinseed lengths ranged from 4.3 to 7.5 inches and averaged 5.9 inches, indicating a small size. Pumpkinseed can be distinguished from Bluegill by the orange spot at the tip of the opercular flap and the lack of a dark blotch near the back of the dorsal fin. Unlike the Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullheads prefer to inhabit clear, less productive water, much like that of Fish Lake. The catch rate of Yellow Bullheads in the 2019 survey was 1.5 fish/gill net, which is slightly below average compared to similar lakes. This catch rate is the lowest on record for Fish lake, and it is well below the long-term average for Fish Lake (5.4 fish/gill net). Yellow Bullheads were also collected in trap nets at a rate of 6.8 fish/net. The length of Yellow Bullheads from both gear types ranged from 9.0 to 13.9 inches and averaged 11.8 inches. Additional fish species collected in low abundance during the 2019 survey included Brown Bullhead (N = 1), Bowfin (dogfish) (N = 2), and Common Carp (N=1). Although they were not observed in this survey, Yellow Perch are also present in Fish Lake in low abundance. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Tyler Fellows, natural resource specialist

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

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

Fish has a maximum depth of 55 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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