Manuella

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species for Lake Manuella was conducted on August 26th and 27th, 2025 by Hutchinson area fisheries Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. One station was electrofished from the boat. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, and a 15-foot seine was used for three stations. Site conditions prevented the use of seining at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter, Blacknose Shiner and Banded Killifish) and one species (i.e., Green Sunfish) that is tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI tool 2-shallow was used for scoring, which resulted in an FIBI score of 34. This score is below the general use impairment threshold (45) for this tool. 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., Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), 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.

Manuella is a small-sized lake (293 acres) located southeast of the City of Litchfield in Meeker County. A state-owned access with paved parking and a single cement boat ramp is present on the east shore. Manuella has approximately three miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of fifty-one feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Manuella is a class 24 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Erie and Francis Lakes in Meeker County. Manuella's 2021 lake management plan listed Walleye, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass as primary management species, while Black Crappie and Northern Pike were secondary species. Netting was completed in 2025 to monitor the fish population and evaluate the 2019 Walleye stocking regime (500 Spicer strain fry per littoral acre every other year). Low numbers of Walleye were gill netted in 2025, but size was impressive. Walleye averaged 22 inches in length. The longest Walleye sampled was 26 inches. Low numbers of both Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass were netted in 2025, but bass often sample better using electrofishing gear - sampling which was not done this year. Maximum length, for both species of bass, was a respectable 16 inches. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were netted in 2025, with an impressive maximum length of almost 13 inches. Moderate numbers of Bluegill were trap netted, but size was small (average length of 4 inches). However, summer trap nets do not always do a good job of sampling larger Bluegill. A separate spring panfish assessment was conducted at Manuella in 2025 and that survey showed good numbers of keeper-sized Bluegill (6 and 7 inch long fish) to be present. Maximum Bluegill length, from the spring survey, was just over 9 inches. Moderate numbers of Northern Pike were gill netted this year with fish averaging a remarkable 25 inches in length. The longest pike netted was nearly a trophy at 34 inches. Northern Pike regulations were revised at a statewide level beginning in 2018 to better accommodate regional differences in pike habitats, population abundances and size structures. Three management zones were established for Northern Pike, with their own bag limit and length limit restrictions. In the north-central zone, where Manuella Lake is found, anglers can keep ten Northern Pike, but only two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22 and 26 inches must be released immediately. This zone regulation is meant to increase Northern Pike size structure (more bigger fish) and to decrease the number of small fish - an attempt to restore balance to the population. The regulation will be evaluated on a state-wide basis after 2028. Additional fishes sampled in the 2025 nets included Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. Manuella Lake has the AIS Eurasian watermilfoil. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local MNDNR office. Additional information on all these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

Manuella is a small-sized lake (292 acres) located southwest of the City of Darwin in Meeker County. A state-owned access with paved parking and a single cement boat ramp is available on the east shore. Manuella has approximately three miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of fifty-one feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Manuella is a class 24 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Erie and Belle Lakes in Meeker County. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled, and fish averaged 7 inches in length. The longest Black Crappie sampled was a respectable 12 inches. Expect to catch high numbers of small Bluegill at Manuella Lake. However, a few whoppers (9-inch long Bluegill) are also available. Keeper-sized panfish are present, but you will need to do some sorting if you are fishing for a meal. Other varieties of sunfish sampled included Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish and Pumpkinseed. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. Manuella Lake has the AIS Eurasian watermilfoil. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local MNDNR office. Additional information on all these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

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

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

Manuella has a maximum depth of 51 feet and a mean depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Manuella has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.