Hook

A 2018-2019 winter oxygen test indicated potential for winterkill at Hook Lake, and dead fish (150 Black Bullhead, 10 Northern Pike, 50 Bluegill, and 10 Yellow Perch) were verified at the culvert on the lake's southern shore on 3/19/19, before full ice-out. This ice-out trap netting survey was conducted to evaluate winterkill severity. Fish populations can fluctuate widely on Hook Lake, depending on the frequency and severity of the latest winterkill. A total of 1 (0.38") trap net and 4 (0.75") single frame trap nets were set on April 15, 2019, soon after ice-out, to document fish species presence and fish abundances at Hook Lake. Dead Black Bullhead and Northern Pike were observed by the trap net crew on 4/15/19. Trap net catches were as follows: The trap nets caught low to moderate numbers (63) of Black Bullhead ranging in length from 7.2 to 9.3 inches and one Yellow Perch measuring 5.8 inches in length. Low to moderate numbers (19) of Northern Pike were sampled, ranging in length from 19.2 to 33.5 inches. Numerous dead fish were observed, including Black Bullhead, signifying that the 2019 winterkill was possibly severe on many species. Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Common Carp, and Walleye were not netted. Northern Pike will likely provide the best fishing opportunities over the next several years, until fish stocked in 2019 (Walleye, Black Crappie, and Bluegill) can reproduce and grow to acceptable sizes.

Prior to the standard survey (summer gill netting and trap netting) in 2015, a winterkill check was performed during the spring of 2014. Hundreds of Common Carp, many Black Crappie, and some Walleye were observed dead near shore. The conclusion was the winterkill in 2014 was likely moderate to severe. Following this conclusion, 648 Adult Black Crappie (162 lbs.) were stocked into Hook Lake. In addition, 162,138 Walleye fry were also stocked. Bluegill stocking was also planned for 2014, but because of limited time they were not stocked until spring 2015, during which time 990 adult Bluegill (180 lbs.) were stocked. Walleye fry (162,000) were again stocked in 2015, in accordance with management plans. A standard survey was conducted on Hook Lake during the week of 8/24/15. Water clarity was low due to an algae bloom, with a Secchi of 3.0 feet. Despite low water clarity and high algae abundance, dissolved oxygen remained at adequate levels (9.4 ppm) down to a depth of 16 feet. Submergent vegetation was very abundant, especially on the southwest side of the lake. The majority of vegetation as composed of Coontail and Canada Waterweed. Northern Pike gill net catches (15.8/net) were nearly twice the high end (8/net) of the expected catch rate for Hook Lake. This was also the highest catch rate of Northern Pike ever recorded on Hook Lake. Average size of Northern Pike was 20.7" with a maximum length of 29.8". While there was an abundance of small to mid-sized pike, the population appeared to be missing the larger sized individuals. Despite limited size structure and a high numbers of pike, fish were very plump and condition values were high. Age analysis of Northern Pike reveals consistent recruitment among years. Six year classes of pike were present, with zero missing year classes between them. Northern Pike angling and spearing outlook is bright. High abundance and good condition of pike will provide plenty of angling opportunity, even if trophy sized fish are currently missing. Walleye gill net catches (0.5/net) were well below what would be expected for Hook Lake. A total of 3 Walleye were sampled in gill nets with an average and maximum size of 11.1". Age analysis revealed all fish were 1 year olds, likely coming from the 2014 year class of stocked fish. Low numbers may be due to the high abundance of Northern Pike in the system. It's generally recognized Walleye are negatively affected by Northern Pike when Northern Pike are in excess of 8/net, and Hook Lake supports a population double that rate. Northern Pike are likely preying upon small Walleye and impacting their overall numbers. Walleye stockings may not succeed until Northern Pike numbers are reduced. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (14.7/net) and trap nets (12.8/net) at rates higher than expected for Hook Lake. Average size of crappies was 6" with a maximum size of 11". Age analysis indicated multiple missing year classes. Fifty-eight Black Crappie were aged and all but one were age-0 or age-1. The missing year classes of Black Crappie indicates the winterkill of 2014 was severe. However, it's likely the crappie stocked during spring 2014 have successfully reproduced for 2 consecutive years. While Black Crappie size structure remains limiting in Hook Lake, the outlook is bright. Black Crappie have been able to successfully reproduce and thrive in the presence of an abundant predator (Northern Pike), and we would expect that trend to continue. Within 1-2 years Black Crappie would likely reach catchable size and provide angling opportunity. Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (5.3/net) and this catch rate was above the expected rate (3.9/net) for Hook Lake. Despite good numbers, size structure remains limiting. Average size of Bluegill was 3.2", with a maximum size of 7.2". Age analysis indicates multiple missing year classes, suggesting the most recent winterkill in 2014 had a negative impact on the Bluegill population. The 7" Bluegill were likely those stocked during spring 2015. These fish do appear to have successfully spawned based on the high number of age-0 fish collected during sampling. Bluegill in Hook Lake are a few years from contributing to a harvestable fishery. However, they have shown the ability to successfully reproduce and with a few mild winters, they should be able to provide additional angling opportunity. Yellow Perch were sampled with gill nets (14.8/net), and this catch rate is nearly double the rate expected for Hook Lake. After 3 consecutive surveys (15 years) of catch rates falling below the expected rate, 2015 appeared to be a good year for Yellow Perch. Reduced predation and competition likely played a role in those numbers. Size structure of Yellow Perch was also higher than expected. Average size of perch was 8.6", with a maximum size of 9.7". Throughout much of the area, Yellow Perch are regarded as forage for other game species. However, Hook Lake presents a unique opportunity where high abundance and good size structure are currently contributing to a catchable fishery, and with one more mild winter could produce something special not often seen in the Hutchinson Area. Black Bullheads were sampled with gill nets (149.9/net), and this catch rate was higher than expected for Hook Lake. Black Bullheads are very tolerant of low oxygen and winterkills and were likely positively impacted by the winterkill in 2014 which reduced predators and competition from other species. Average size of Black Bullheads was 7.1", with a max size of 13.4". As large predators continue to rebound, we would expect Black Bullhead numbers to decrease overtime. Common Carp have been decreasing in abundance since the 1992 survey where they were near record highs. During the 2015 standard survey Common Carp were sampled with trap nets (0.3/net) and gill nets (1/net), which was the lowest rate in 20 years. Low numbers of carp may have also contributed to the increase in aquatic vegetation. Average size of Common Carp was 15.1", with a maximum size of 18.2". We did not see any young of year carp nor large adults. It's likely the winterkill in 2014 had a substantial impact on carp numbers. The remaining juvenile sized fish could have survived the winterkill or migrated from the adjacent Echo Lake. Carp are at their lowest number in some time, and as Bluegill and other predatory fish continue to recover, we would expect carp numbers to remain low. Following the standard survey, DNR Fisheries personnel inspected a fish kill on Hook Lake during the morning of September 9th 2015. The majority of fish found near shore were small Yellow Perch (3.5-4.5"). However, large Yellow Perch (8.5-9.5"), Northern Pike (6-12"), and Black Bullheads (3-4") were also found dead along shore. It's likely a number of factors could have contributed to the fish kill. Hook Lake had an abundance of aquatic vegetation and blue-green algae. Hot days with little wind were frequent the week prior. Additionally, heavy rains were observed days before the fish kill. Any one of these factors could have provided the necessary environment to create a summer kill.

A population assessment was conducted at Hook Lake in 2010 to monitor the fish population. Near-shore seining and backpack electrofishing were also conducted. There was very little angling activity observed during netting week on Hook. Scales and/or otoliths were used to age walleye in 2010. Winterkill has not been documented in recent years (possible partial kill in 1996), but a summerkill of black crappie did occur in August 2009. Water quality continued to be poor at Hook Lake with the dissolved oxygen concentration falling below 2.0 mg/l at 12.0 feet. The secchi disk reading was only 1.4 feet due to an intense algal bloom. Submergent vegetation density was rated as none or rare at all 10 IBI sampling stations. Gill nets sampled 51 walleye for a catch rate of 5.7/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2005 catch rate was 5.1/net. Walleye were 16.1 to 25.3 inches long averaging 19.8 in 2010. Approximately 71% of the gill net sample was between 18.0 and 20.9 inches in length. Trap nets sampled walleye up to 26.9 inches in length. Walleye were 2 to 9 years old with 8 year-classes present. Age 2 fish made up the majority of the sample (57%), while the 2001 year-class was the next largest (27%). Approximately 91% of the aged fish corresponded with years when fry were stocked. This was also the case in the 2000 (92%) and 2005 (89%) assessments, possibly indicating that fry stocking is having a positive impact on walleye abundance at Hook Lake. The latest fry stocking regime (500/littoral acre two-of-three years) was initiated in 1997. Catch rates (n=3) during this time period ranged from 5.1 to 18.3/net averaging 9.7. Catch rates from 1974 to 1995 (n=5), under various stocking regimes, were highly variable ranging from 2.3 to 20.3/net averaging 9.3. Growth was moderate to fast. Gill nets sampled 41 northern pike for a catch rate of 4.6/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2005 catch rate was 8.7/net. Catch rates (n=8) from 1974 to 2010 were quite variable ranging from 0.5 to 8.7/net averaging 4.3. Northern pike were last stocked in 1991. Northern pike were 20.3 to 29.2 inches long averaging 24.0. Trap nets sampled northern pike up to 33.7 inches in length. Northern pike were 2 to 7 years old with 5 year-classes present. Age 2 fish made up 73% of the gill net sample. Growth was moderate. Gill nets sampled 12 yellow perch for a catch rate of 1.3/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake. The 2005 catch rate was 0.0/net. Catch rates have been below the normal range the last three assessments. Catch rates from 1974 to 2010 were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 41.5/net, but the average (8.4/net) was low. Yellow perch were 5.6 to 7.1 inches long averaging 6.3. Gill nets sampled 449 black crappie for a catch rate of 49.9/net, which was above the normal range for this type of lake and the highest ever measured at Hook Lake. The 2005 catch rate was 17.4/net. Catch rates (n=8) from 1974 to 2010 were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 49.9/net averaging 12.9. Gill netted black crappie were 4.8 to 9.8 inches long averaging 6.2. Black crappie were the most abundant fish sampled in both gill and trap nets. The size structure was poor, with only 3 fish being over 8 inches in length . Black crappie were 1 to 5 years old with 5 year-classes present. Age 2 fish made up 89% of the gill net catch and 99% of the trap net catch. Growth was slow to moderate. The trap net catch rate (27.4/net) was also above the normal range and the highest ever measured at Hook. Catch rates (n=8) from 1974 to 2010 were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 27.4/net averaging 10.8. Gill net and trap net catch rates both showed an increasing trend in abundance during the latest three assessments. Trap netted black crappie were 5.4 to 8.2 inches long averaging 6.5. Anglers targeting black crappie at Hook Lake may wish to concentrate their effort from the fall of 2011 thru the spring of 2012, when the strong 2008 year-class will probably reach 8 to 8.5", based on age and growth data. Trap nets sampled 36 bluegill for a catch rate of 4.0/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2005 catch rate was 9.4/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2010 (n=8) were generally low, ranging from 0.3 to 15/net averaging 5.3. Bluegill were 3.9 to 6.1 inches long averaging 4.8. A single young-of-the-year bluegill (1.5") was also trap netted. The size structure was poor, with only 1 fish being at least 6 inches long. Trap netted bluegill were 2 to 4 years old with 3 year-classes present. Growth was slow to moderate. Hook occasionally produces a few large bluegill (1995 assessment), but is typically not regarded as one of the better bluegill lakes in the Hutchinson area. Gill nets sampled 43 carp for a catch rate of 4.8/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2005 catch rate was 9.2/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2010 were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 28.8/net averaging 13.8, but there was a downward trend from 1992 to 2010. Carp were 12.8 to 24.4 inches long averaging 20.2. The trap net catch was 3.8/net which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2005 trap net catch rate was 8.1/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2010 ranged from 0.2 to 13.8/net averaging 6.0. High numbers of carp over the years have likely contributed to the poor water quality at Hook Lake. Gill nets sampled 91 black bullhead for a catch rate of 10.1/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake and the lowest ever measured at Hook Lake. The 2005 catch rate was 88.1/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2010 varied greatly ranging from 10.1 to 225.1/net averaging 121.5. Black bullhead were 4.6 to 12.2 inches long averaging 9.1. Trap nets sampled 19 black bullhead for a catch rate of 2.1/net which was below the normal range and the second lowest on record. Trap net catch rates from 1974 to 2010 were quite variable ranging from 0.7 to 256.7/net averaging 58.6.

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

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

Hook has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hook is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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