Lady Slipper

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Lady Slipper during September 11, 2023 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Three electrofishing stations were sampled for a total of 30 minutes. Clarity was poor (1.5 feet). The water temperature was 71 F. Sago Pondweed was rare. Abundant numbers of Common Carp and Black Bullhead were observed in the 2023 fall 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). Lady Slipper is a small (286 acres), shallow (11 feet maximum), aerated, and productive lake located in Lyon County. The aeration system is comprised of two surface Aeromix type units located along the east shore of the main basin. A significant winterkill likely occurred during February of 2019 on Lady Slipper and connected School Grove Lake. Although floating dead fish were less apparent in Lady Slipper than School Grove Lake during the 2019 spring. We caught abundant numbers of small Common Carp and Black Bullhead in spring test netting during 2019. A few small Yellow Perch were also caught in the 2019 spring trapnets. A partial winterkill may have occurred during February of 2021-2022 winter on Lady Slipper. Low oxygen levels (< 2 ppm) were also noted during the 2022-2023 winter. There were reports of winterkill (Common Carp and Walleye) in the spring of 2023. Three six foot single frame trapnets (two 3/8 inch and one 1/4 inch bar mesh) were set on 05/11/23 to assess winterkill survival of fish in Lady Slipper. Dead decaying Common Carp were observed along the shoreline. However, live spawning Common Carp were observed in the near shore cattail areas. Abundant numbers of Common Carp and Black Bullhead of all sizes were captured in the 2023 spring trapnets. No gamefish were captured in the 2023 spring trapnets. Water clarity was turbid with 66 F. High water conditions were the norm in the 2023 spring. Walleye natural reproduction in Lady Slipper is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous surveys. Walleye fry were recently stocked into Lady Slipper (142,000 to 358,000 fry) during 2008, 2010, 2012-2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021-2023. Approximately 152,500 Spicer strain Walleye fry were stocked in Lady Slipper during 2023. Walleye fingerlings (246 fish, 41 pounds) and adults (68 fish, 125 pounds) were last stocked into Lady Slipper during 2021. Low YOY Walleye numbers (6.00/hour, 4.72 inches) were caught in the 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. Moderate yearling Walleye numbers were present in 2023 (27.00/hour, 9.36 inches). Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (153.00 YOY/hour, 7.56 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. There were abundant YOY Walleye numbers captured (381.00 YOY/hour, 6.72 inches) during the 2018 fall electrofishing survey. No yearling Walleye were captured in 2014, 2016, 2018 or 2019 fall electrofishing surveys. YOY Walleye numbers were abundant in the 2016 (180.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches), 2014 (584.00 YOY/hour, 4.95 inches) and 2010 (365.99 YOY/hour, 7.03 inches) fall night electrofishing surveys. The highest YOY Walleye catch rate (846.01 YOY/hour, 5.68 inches) occurred for Lady Slipper in 2008. Low YOY Walleye numbers (8.00 YOY/hour, 7.95 inches) were captured in the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye were not captured in 2012 (0.00 YOY/hour), but yearling Walleye (2012 year class) were present in moderate numbers (12.00 YOY/hour) during the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. We observed abundant/moderate numbers of Common Carp, Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Walleye abundance was low (3.50 fish/gillnet) in the recent 2022 summer survey. The Walleye historical average catch rate is 25.06 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye trapnet catch rate (2.56 fish/trapnet) was also below the Lady Slipper historical average (4.70 fish/trapnet). The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 1.11 pounds and 14.06 inches from gillnets. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 0.70 pounds and 11.22 inches from trapnets. The historical average length is 14.23 inches and 14.82 inches from gillnets and trapnets respectively. The 2022 catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches plus) Walleye was low (1.33 fish/gillnet). The 2021 and 2019 year classes comprised 53% and 30% respectively of the 2022 Walleye catch. Adult Walleye numbers may be significantly reduced as of 2023 due to partial winterkill during the 2022-2023 winter. The Lady Slipper Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2027 for all fish species. Walleye fry are scheduled for annual stocking. A fall night electrofishing survey will be periodically conducted during Walleye fry stocked years.

A standard survey of Lady Slipper was conducted during mid-June of 2022. 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 spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Lady Slipper is a small (247 acres), shallow (11 feet maximum), aerated, and productive lake located in Lyon County. Residential development is limited to two farm sites near the lake. Lines State Wildlife Management Area "WMA" is located along the north and east shores. A small public access is located on the east side of the east bay within the WMA. A large ditch is located adjacent to the WMA. Water clarity was poor on June 17, 2022 (1.0 feet). Nutrient levels were high during June of 2012 (0.143 ppm total phosphorus, 84.8 ppb chlorophyll-a). Blue-green algae blooms are often intense during the summer months. Lady Slipper receives high nutrient inputs from agricultural sources. There are several tile inlets that drain agricultural row crop fields into Lady Slipper. The outlet drains into a marsh that can connect to nearby School Grove Lake only during high water conditions. Submergent vegetation was more commonly present in Lady Slipper prior to 2012 due to the absence of Common Carp, unlike other nearby shallow lakes. Submergent vegetation is limited to mostly sago pondweed, filamentous algae and water moss in Lady Slipper. The most commonly occurring emergent vegetation plants included bulrush and cattail species. Shoalwater substrates consist primarily of silt and sand with lesser amounts of boulder, gravel and rubble. Both partial summerkills and winterkills have occurred in Lady Slipper, but these have not been documented since the late 1990's. However, a winterkill assessment was conducted during late April of 2010 and 2019 on Lady Slipper Lake. High snowfall events in February of 2019 caused oxygen levels to drop from 16 ppm in mid-January to below 1 ppm by early March. A few dead fish were observed during the 2019 spring netting survey. No Walleye and only a few Yellow Perch were captured in three 2019 spring trapnets. Abundant Black Bullhead and small Common Carp were abundant in 2019 spring trapnets. It is likely that at least a partial and probably a significant winterkill of gamefish occurred on Lady Slipper in 2019. Local anglers reported Walleye being caught in December of 2021. Nearby, School Grove Lake had a significant winterkill during the 2009 10 winter and 2019, but none occurred on 2010 in Lady Slipper. A significant winterkill occurred on nearby Cottonwood Lake during January of 2013, but not on Lady Slipper. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. Oxygen levels were low during February of 2023 due mostly numerous heavy snowfall events. The aeration system (northeast bay) was turned on January 3, 2023. It was unable to provide adequate oxygen levels due to late ice out and snowfall events. There were reports of winterkill (Common Carp and Walleye) in the spring of 2023. We caught moderate numbers of Black Bullhead (all sizes) and Common Carp (all sizes) from ice out trapnets during late April of 2023. No gamefish (Walleye, Yellow Perch or Black Crappie) were captured in the trapnets. Winterkill was more prevalent in southern and western Minnesota shallow lakes in 2023 than during other years. The 2022 summer survey results are no longer valid due to significant winterkill in 2023. Black Bullhead abundance was low (31.56 fish/trapnet) in 2022 compared to the historical average catch rate (103.37 fish/trapnet). The 2022 Black Bullhead gillnet catch rate (56.00/gillnet) was also below the historical average (181.33 fish/gillnet), but moderate compared to similar lakes. The Black Bullhead average size was small (0.24 pounds and 7.6 inches) from trapnets. The 2022 Black Bullhead average weight was 0.24 pounds from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weights were 0.37 pounds and 0.43 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets for Lady Slipper. Common Carp were abundant (76.00 fish/gillnet and 24.67 fish/trapnet) in 2022. Common Carp average size was moderate from trapnets (3.33 pounds and 18.4 inches), but small from gillnets (1.51 pounds and 14.4 inches). Common Carp have been captured in only two other Lady Slipper surveys (1997 and 2017). Common Carp likely entered Lady Slipper during recent high water events either from School Grove via a wetland along the south shore or from a large ditch adjacent to a connected wetland within the state wildlife management area along the north side of the lake. Bluegill were not caught in the 2022 or 2017 surveys. Bluegill abundance was low in 2012 (0.44 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical catch rate is 1.96 fish/trapnet. Low numbers of Orangespotted Sunfish (0.11 fish/trapnet) were caught in 2022. No other sunfish species were captured during 2022 or 2017. Low numbers of Green Sunfish (0.11 fish/trapnet) and high numbers of Orangespotted Sunfish (17.89 fish/trapnet) were captured in 2012. Yellow Perch abundance was low (3.50 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The historical average catch rate is 32.92 fish/gillnet for Lady Slipper. The 2022 Yellow Perch average size was large (8.8 inches and 0.33 pounds) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average length is 8.0 inches. Yellow Perch growth rates were excellent for ages 1-4. The 2019 and 2020 year classes each comprised 42% of the 2022 Yellow Perch catch. Northern Pike were not caught in recent surveys since 2012. Northern Pike abundance (0.50 fish/gillnet) was low in 2007. Northern Pike were not captured in Lady Slipper surveys prior to 2007. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Lady Slipper in the South Zone are as follows: anglers and spearers can keep 2 fish with a minimum size of 24.0 inches. Walleye natural reproduction has been generally insignificant based on previous surveys and analysis for Lady Slipper. Walleye fry were recently stocked into Lady Slipper (143,000 to 290,000 fish) during 2010, 2012-2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. Walleye fingerlings (5,506 fish, 622 pounds) were stocked into Lady Slipper during October of 2003 in response to the 2003 fry stocking failure. Walleye fingerlings (246 fish, 41 pounds) and adults (68 fish, 125 pounds) were stocked in 2021. A fall electrofishing survey was last conducted in 2019 to assess young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers in Lady Slipper Lake. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers were sampled in the 2019 (153.00 YOY/hour, 7.6 inches), 2018 (381.00 YOY/hour, 6.7 inches), 2016 (180.00 YOY/hour, 5.6 inches average length) and 2014 (584.00 YOY/hour, 4.9 inches average length) fall electrofishing surveys. Low YOY Walleye numbers (<10.00 YOY/hour) were sampled in the 2013 and 2012 fall electrofishing surveys. The Lady Slipper YOY Walleye historical catch rate is 205.26 YOY/hour. No fall electrofishing surveys were conducted in 2021 or 2022. Walleye fry are scheduled to be stocked in the spring of 2023. Walleye abundance was low (3.50 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The historical average catch rate is 25.06 fish/gillnet. Walleye average size was moderate (1.11 pounds and 14.1 inches) from gillnets. The historical average length is 14.2 inches from gillnets. Walleye growth rates generally excellent for ages 1-4. The 2021 and 2019 year classes comprised 53% and 30% respectively of the 2022 Walleye catch. Current fish management activities on Lady Slipper include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, working with the local residents and clubs with the operation of the aeration system, 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, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Lady Slipper Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2027 summer for all species and the 2023 fall for YOY Walleye numbers.

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Lady Slipper during September 4, 2019 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Lady Slipper is a small (286 acres), shallow (11 feet maximum), aerated, and productive lake located in Lyon County. A significant winterkill likely occurred during February of 2019 on Lady Slipper and connected School Grove Lake. Although floating dead fish were less apparent in Lady Slipper than School Grove Lake during the 2019 spring. We caught abundant numbers of small Common Carp and Black Bullhead in spring test netting during 2019. A few small Yellow Perch were also caught in the 2019 spring trapnets. Walleye natural reproduction in Lady Slipper is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous surveys. Lady Slipper is scheduled for Walleye fry stocking every other year. If fry stocking is a failure or a winterkill occurs, the lake will generally be stocked again with fry the following spring. Walleye fry were recently stocked into Lady Slipper (169,000 to 358,000 fry) during 2008, 2010, 2012-2014, 2016 and 2018. Approximately 150,000 Upper Mississippi strain Walleye fry were stocked in Lady Slipper during 2019. Walleye fingerlings (5,506 fish, 622 pounds) were last stocked into Lady Slipper during October of 2003 in response to a fry stocking failure. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (153.00 YOY/hour, 7.56 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. There were abundant YOY Walleye numbers captured (381.00 YOY/hour, 6.72 inches) during the 2018 fall electrofishing survey. No yearling Walleye were captured in 2014, 2016, 2018 or 2019 fall electrofishing surveys. YOY Walleye numbers were abundant in the 2016 (180.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches), 2014 (584.00 YOY/hour, 4.95 inches) and 2010 (365.99 YOY/hour, 7.03 inches) fall night electrofishing surveys. The highest YOY Walleye catch rate (846.01 YOY/hour, 5.68 inches) occurred for Lady Slipper in 2008. Low YOY Walleye numbers (8.00 YOY/hour, 7.95 inches) were captured in the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye were not captured in 2012 (0.00 YOY/hour), but yearling Walleye (2012 year class) were present in moderate numbers (12.00 YOY/hour) during the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. We observed abundant/moderate numbers of Common Carp, Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. The Lady Slipper Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2022 for all fish species. A fall night electrofishing survey will be conducted during Walleye fry stocked years (next stocking in 2021).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Green Sunfish, Walleye, Bluegill, and Northern Pike in Lady Slipper. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Lady Slipper has a maximum depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lady Slipper is from 2022.

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