Snider

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Snider Lake was conducted on August 7th and 8th, 2023, by Detroit Lakes Fisheries Staff. The survey consisted of 14 sampling stations evenly spaced around the lake. All stations were sampled with a backpack electrofishing unit, and 11 were sampled with a 50-foot seine. Three stations were not sampled with a seine because of dense vegetation (wild rice), or the conditions were too boggy to safely and effectively use a seine. Nearshore sampling captured 15 native fish species, which included five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Pugnose Shiner) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The three most common species captured during the nearshore survey in order of abundance were: Bluegill, Green Sunfish, and Yellow Perch. The nearshore fish survey data was combined with the standard survey data from July 24th, 2023, to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, 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 will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Snider Lake is located in the Wild Rice River Watershed.

Snider Lake is a 632-acre lake located approximately 12 miles east of Waubun in southeast Mahnomen County. Much of the lake's shoreline remains undeveloped. Extensive stands of bulrush are present along these shorelines and they should be preserved. Submerged vegetation is common throughout near shore areas. A standard fisheries survey was completed in July 2023 to assess the fish populations in Snider Lake. Anglers will find a high number of Northern Pike in Snider Lake, however, most of these pike will be on the small side. The average size of the pike captured was 21 inches, but one 32-inch fish was measured. Walleye numbers were slightly below average for the lake and remains at a low abundance. Walleye size was not as good as other area lakes. About 54% of the Walleye captured in 2023 were over 15 inches and 21% were over 20 inches. Anglers can expect to find good numbers of small Bluegills, but fish over eight inches are present. About six percent of the Bluegills sampled in 2023 were over eight inches and Bluegills up to nine inches were measured. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers in the nets, which is often the case with this sampling gear. Black Crappie up to 10.5 inches were measured and Largemouth Bass up to 17.5 inches were observed. Tullibee (Cisco) is a fish one would typically expect to find in deeper, colder lakes, but Tullibee have maintained a presence in this lake since the initial survey in 1958. In 2023 the gill net catch rate was 0.5 per gill net, slightly lower than the historic average of 2.0 Tullibee per net. Other fish species observed were Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Perch.

Snider Lake is a 632-acre, 29 foot deep, Mahnomen County Lake with moderate water quality. Much of the lake's shoreline remains undeveloped. Extensive stands of bulrush are present along these shorelines and they should be preserved. In 2016, Northern Pike were found to be at a historic high abundance and fairly small. Pike had an average size of almost 20 inches with very few over 23 inches. Unlike Northern Pike, Walleye were at a historic low abundance in 2016. This is despite Walleye fry stocking and some private Walleye fingerling stocking. Only two Walleye per gill net were sampled, and they had an average size of 18 inches long. Bluegill abundance was below average for Snider Lake, with a mean length of almost six inches long. Black Crappie have never been sampled in high numbers in Snider Lake, and that remained true in 2016. The few Black Crappie that were sampled had an average size of around 8 inches. Many anglers consider Snider Lake to be a good bass fishing lake. Test nets in 2016 confirmed the presence of good numbers of Largemouth Bass in the one to two pound range. Other fish species sampled in 2016 were Yellow Perch, Cisco, Pumpkinseed, bullheads, and White Sucker.

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

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

Snider has a maximum depth of 29 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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