Placid

Three fish sampling events were undertaken on Placid Lake in 2024 including ice-out trap netting, spring trap netting targeting Bluegill and Black Crappie, and daytime electrofishing. Electrofishing took place in the upstream reaches of the reservoir in flowing water environments. None of these sampling strategies have been utilized in the past. Traditional methods such as summer gill netting and late spring electrofishing have failed to adequately assess the fish community in recent years, thus these new efforts were attempted. Primary management species are Walleye and Bluegill with Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass as secondary species. The three new sampling techniques employed in 2024 largely failed to produce substantial numbers of the fish species targeted underlining the difficulties of fish population evaluation in this system. Just 5 Walleye were collected when combining all gears with none observed while electrofishing. All Walleyes measured were adults ranging from 20.5 to 27.6 inches. A total of 46 Northern Pike were captured in the combined samples with 27 coming from the ice-out trap nets. Of the combined trap net catch of 39 fish, 28% were within the zonal protected slot of 22-26 inches and the largest measured 29.9 inches. Seven pike were caught electrofishing with most being juveniles under 15 inches long. Electrofishing produced a sample of 20 Smallmouth Bass ranging from 9.7 to 19.6 inches long. Mean length of Smallmouths was 13.4 inches and 4 fish exceeded 16 inches. No Smallmouth were found in the trap nets. The catch rate in 2024 was 18.2 per hour of electrofishing. Later spring electrofishing (June) resulted in catch rates of 58.5/hour in 2008 and 20.9/hour in 2014. Two Largemouth Bass measuring 17.6 and 18.1 inches were found in the trap nets and none were observed while electrofishing. No Largemouth Bass were observed the 2014 electrofishing assessment, however a catch rate of 28.5 per hour was noted in 2008. The combined trap net sample of Bluegills totaled 37 fish of which 32.4% topped 7 inches and the largest fish measured 9.1 inches. Mean length was 6.4 inches. The management objective for Bluegill is having at least 30% of the trap net sample exceed 7 inches long. Otoliths extracted from Bluegills revealed the presence of age groups 2 through 5. Bluegills displayed fast growth attaining lengths of greater than 7 inches by Age 4. Ice-out trap nets produced a sample of 34 Black Crappie while the targeted panfish trap nets caught just 7 fish. Crappie over 10 inches comprised 37% of the combined catch and 22% were over 12 inches. Mean length was 9 inches. Large crappies were evident as 3 specimens surpassed 14 inches with the longest measuring 14.6 inches. While low numbers of Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass were sampled this may have been related to gear ineffectiveness and may not mean populations are at critically low levels. Non-target species prevalent in the trap nets included Black Bullhead (149 fish), Yellow Perch (184 fish), Rock Bass (77 fish), and Pumpkinseed (258 fish). Though abundant few Pumpkinseeds reach 7 inches long and average length was just 5.4 inches. Yellow Perch averaged 6.9 inches, 17% were over 8 inches and the largest perch measured 9.9 inches.

Placid Lake or Pillager Reservoir is formed by the Pillager Power Dam on the Crow Wing River near the town of Pillager. Fast drop-offs along shore, sunken bars and vegetation beds, as well as islands provide structure in the lake. Anglers have the choice of fishing in the reservoir or traveling up the Crow Wing River. Water turbidity can be affected by flows from the Crow Wing River and several minor tributaries. Sampling in the lake has proven to be a challenge with the steep near shore drop-offs, suspended debris in the water column, and current. This assessment was conducted with shoreline trap nets and daytime electrofishing as suspended debris and current makes gill netting difficult. The species diversity of the fish community is a reflection of a riverine system. Non-game species such as Silver Redhorse, Common Carp, Greater Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, and White Sucker account for much of the biomass in the lake. Gamefish species found in the lake include Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. The Walleye population has been sustained at low levels by natural reproduction since the mid-90s when stocking was discontinued. Status of Northern Pike was not evaluated well with gear types used in this assessment. Results from early summer electrofishing in 2014 suggest that Placid Lake supports a modest population of Smallmouth Bass. Most of the bass observed in the sampling were more than 14 inches in length with one 19-inch Smallmouth Bass measured. Bluegill provide an important fishery on the lake and the survey did show the presence of "keeper" size fish over seven inches in length. Black Crappie do not appear to be overly abundant but anglers have a chance to find some nice fish over 11 inches. Other panfish species in the lake include Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, and Rock Bass. Two species of bullhead, Brown and Yellow, were sampled in the lake. Brown Bullhead was the more numerous and larger of the two species. The largest Yellow Bullhead was around 10 inches while the largest Brown Bullhead was almost 14 inches. The connection to Crow Wing River and numerous inlets allows for the movement of fish in and out of the reservoir. Proper timing and duration of drawdowns from dam operations as well as good land use practices around the inlets can minimize impacts to the reservoir.

Placid Lake or Pillager Reservoir is formed by the Pillager Power Dam on the Crow Wing River near the town of Pillager. Most of the development on the reservoir is located on the north shore and along two inlets on the south side of the lake. Fast drop-offs along shore, sunken bars and vegetation beds, as well as islands provide structure in the lake. Anglers have the choice of fishing in the reservoir or traveling up the Crow Wing River. Water turbidity can be affected by flows from the Crow Wing River and several minor tributaries. Increased flows from recent rains produced a secchi disk reading of 5 feet during the survey as well as making for difficult netting conditions. Suspended detritus and algae in the water attached to the nets, which affected sampling efficiency. The species diversity of the fish community is a reflection of a riverine system. Non-game species such as silver redhorse, common carp, greater redhorse, shorthead redhorse, and white sucker account for much of the biomass in the lake. Gamefish species found in the lake include northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The walleye population has been sustained at low levels by natural reproduction since the mid-90s when stocking was discontinued. Results from early summer electrofishing in 2008 suggest that Placid Lake supports modest populations of both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Most of the bass observed in the sampling were less than 12 inches in length, however, there were some fish over 18 inches of both species measured. Bluegill provide an important fishery on the lake and the survey did show the presence of "keeper" size fish. While the average size was about 6 inches, a fair number of the bluegill were over 7 inches in length with some over 8 inches. Black crappie do not appear to be overly abundant but there were some nice fish over 11 inches documented. Other panfish species in the lake include pumpkinseed sunfish and rock bass. All three species of bullhead, black, brown, and yellow, were sampled in the lake. Numbers appear to be low for all of the species and some larger fish up to 14 inches are present. The connection to numerous inlets likely allows for the movement of fish in and out of the reservoir. Proper timing and duration of drawdowns from dam operations as well as good land use practices around the inlets can minimize impacts to the reservoir.

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

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

Placid has a maximum depth of 25 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Placid is from 2024.

Yes — Placid has confirmed faucet snail and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.