Church

Church Lake (also known as Priest Lake or Erie Lake) is a 167-acre lake located 7.5 miles east of the town of Mahnomen, MN. Local residents report that the lake produced good fishing for northern pike in the past, but now supports few gamefish due to winterkill. Past management activities have included stocking and dissolved oxygen monitoring. During the 1970s, sunfish (mostly bluegills) were stocked six times, northern pike were stocked twice, and crappies were introduced once. 100,000 walleye fry were stocked in 1976 and again in 1978. More recently, brood bluegills and northern pike were stocked about eight years ago. Records of dissolved oxygen monitoring show that the lake periodically winterkilled in the 1970's and 1980's, but no heavy winterkill has been documented for over 20 years. Church Lake was initially surveyed in 1999. Test netting indicated that the fish community was dominated by white suckers. Net catches for white suckers were twenty times the median values for similar lakes. Captured suckers represented several year classes and ranged in length from 5.5 to 20 inches. These fish were likely introduced by a private bait dealer. A few pike and one bluegill were also captured during this first survey. The 2010 fish assessment showed somewhat of a changed fishery. Pike remained present in modest numbers but were larger than in 1999. The average pike weight increased from 2.0 pounds to 2.9 pounds. Largemouth bass and yellow perch (not found in 1999) were present in higher than normal numbers in 2010 for lakes of this ecological type. Average sizes for these two species and for bluegill were typical or better with bass ranging from 6.6 to 16.9 inches, perch ranging from 3.7 to 12.1 inches, and bluegills ranging from 5.0 to 10 inches. Spawning conditions for the listed species appeared to be very good, but successful year classes were limited. For unknown reasons, spawning successes appear less consistent than expected. Present high water levels make shoreline marsh areas accessible for northern pike spawning, and firm shoal areas with emergent vegetaion are available for sunfish nesting. Northern pike and sunfish populations were expected to expand through natural reproduction and provide a recreational fishery in between winterkills. Although recent high water levels have probably reduced the frequency of severe winterkill, future kills are inevitable. Northern pike and panfish can be restocked after the next winterkill occurs, since suitable habitat is readily available for these species. Protecting natural shorelines and aquatic vegetation stands will help these gamefish populations to become re-established more quickly.

Church Lake (also known as Priest Lake) is a 167 acre lake in Mahnomen County, MN, located 7.5 miles east of the town of Mahnomen. Local residents report that the lake produced good fishing for northern pike in the past, but now supports few gamefish due to a recent winterkill.Past management activities have included stocking and dissolved oxygen monitoring. During the 1970s, sunfish (mostly bluegills) were stocked six times, northern pike were stocked twice, and crappies were introduced once. 100,000 walleye fry were stocked in 1976 and again in 1978. Records of dissolved oxygen monitoring show that the lake periodically winterkilled since then.No prior lake surveys were conducted on Church Lake, so the 1999 survey is the first assessment of the fish community. Test netting indicated that the fish community is dominated by white suckers. Net catches for white suckers were twenty times the median values for similar lakes. Captured suckers represented several year classes and ranged in length from 5.5 to 20 inches. These fish were likely introduced by a private bait dealer.Other fish species were encountered during the survey, but it appears their populations are just becoming established. Five northern pike were captured, ranging in length from 19 to 21 inches. The gill net catch rate was well below the normal range for this lake class. One bluegill, one pumpkinseed, and three hybrid sunfish were also captured. these sunfish were 8 to 9 inches in length and had a mean weight of 0.5 lb. Net catches for these species were far below the normal range for similar lakes.Spawning conditions for these other species appeared to be very good. Present high water levels make shoreline marsh areas accessible for northern pike spawning, and firm shoal areas with emergent vegetaion are available for sunfish nesting. Northern pike and sunfish populations will likely begin to expand through natural reproduction. These fish should then provide a recreational fishery until the next severe winterkill.Although recent high water levels have probably reduced the frequency of severe winterkill, future kills are inevitable. Northern pike and panfish can be restocked after the next winterkill occurs, since suitable habitat is readily available for these species. Protecting natural shorelines and aquatic vegetation stands will help these gamefish populations to become re-established more quickly.

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

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

Church has a maximum depth of 19 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 Church is from 2010. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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