Summit

Summit Lake is 77-acre, class 40 lake located in Murray County near Hadley. Despite being shallow (max depth of 7.0 ft.), Summit Lake is not aerated and typically does not experience low winter oxygen levels; however, during the winter of 2022 and 2023, anglers reported seeing dead fish in the holes and dead fish when the ice came off in the spring. Dissolved oxygen levels were below 0.5 parts per million by early February of 2023, below the threshold at which fish begin to be stressed (2.0 ppm). Summit Lake has relatively clear water (5.5 ft. secchi depth) and has abundant aquatic vegetation throughout the lake. Summit Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. A winterkill check was conducted on May 17, 2023 using boat electrofishing to determine the extent of the kill that occurred. Three species of fish were caught during the 2023 survey including Black Bullhead (24.3 per hour), Northern Pike (52.0 per hour), and Yellow Perch (3.9 per hour). These species tend to be tolerant of low dissolved oxygen, so it was not a surprise to catch them; however, abundance Yellow Perch and Black Bullhead was lower than expected. Species of fish that were sampled in the 2016 survey but were not sampled in the 2023 winterkill check included Black Crappie, Orangespotted Sunfish, Walleye, and White Crappie, suggesting that Summit Lake likely had a partial winterkill that reduced abundance of several species of fish. Lengths of Northern Pike sampled in 2023 ranged from 15.2 to 28.2 and averaged 20.0 inches. Pre-spawn adult Yellow Perch were stocked in Summit Lake in the spring of 2023 to reestablish the population.

Summit Lake is a 77-acre lake located in Murray County near Hadley. Despite being shallow (max depth of 7.0 ft.), Summit Lake is not aerated and typically does not experience low winter oxygen levels. Summit Lake has relatively clear water and has abundant aquatic vegetation throughout the lake. Summit Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. A survey was conducted the week of June 6, 2016, to monitor fish populations using one gill net and nine trap nets. In 2016, Walleye were captured at a rate of 7.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.3 to 17.8 per gill net), is slightly above the long term average of 6.2 per gill net since 1987, and is the highest catch rate observed since the 2000 survey. Lengths of gill netted Walleye ranged from 8.9 to 12.1 inches and averaged 10.7 inches, with all aged Walleye corresponding to the stocked 2014 year class (age-2). Two Walleye, approximately 23.0 inches, were caught in the trap nets as well. Adult Walleye that were stocked in the fall of 2016 should provide good fishing for ice fisherman and the open water season in the spring. One 26.9 inch Northern Pike was captured in the survey. Prior to 2016, Northern Pike fingerlings were last stocked in 2010, because fingerling production has been limited. Catch rates should improve as Northern Pike fingerlings were stocked in 2016. The Yellow Perch catch rates were 46.0 per gill net and 52.8 per trap net, which are both high catch rates when compared to similar lakes. Lengths of Yellow Perch ranged from 4.8 to 10.3 inches and averaged 6.5 inches. Perch angling should be good, but sorting may have to be done to get some keepers. The 2016 Black Bullhead catch rate was 76.0 per trap net, which is high when compared to similar lakes. Lengths of Black Bullheads ranged from 4.7 to 10.6 inches and averaged 6.3 inches. Other species sample included Black Crappie, Orangespotted Sunfish, and White Crappie. Common carp were not sampled during the survey which is encouraging and may indicate that very few individuals remain in the system.

INTRODUCTION Summit Lake is a small and relatively disconnected lake located in Murray County just outside the town of Hadley. Summit Lake has a watershed-to-lake ratio of only 7.7 to 1, which means there is only 7.7 acres of upland area that drains to the lake for every 1 acre of surface water. It is one of only a few lakes in the Windom Fish Management Area that does not have an aeration system. In spite of the fact that the lake is not aerated during winter, low dissolved oxygen is not a problem other than in winters with excessive snow. This 77-acre lake is managed primarily for walleye and secondarily for northern pike and yellow perch. Summit Lake was surveyed the first week of June of 2012 with 1 gill net and 9 trap nets. WALLEYE Typically the DNR uses gill net catch rates as the indication to the abundance of walleyes in a lake. However, Summit Lake is a good example as to why all types of nets need to be used to evaluate the status of the fish population. No walleyes were sampled in the one gill net. However the trap nets sampled the most walleye ever recorded in trap nets on Summit Lake. Although the population is dominated by smaller fish, they appear to be abundant. It would seem the 2011 walleye fingerling stocking was successful. The average length of the walleye in the sample was only 7 inches. Although the fish are small, the abundant forage base available indicates that these walleyes may be primed for some good growth. In the interim, target the abundant yellow perch population. YELLOW PERCH In addition to providing a great forage base for walleye, the yellow perch fishery will likely provide some excellent fishing in the next few years. The 2012 survey documented the highest catch rate of yellow perch in both trap and gill nets. Both of these nets indicated catch rates more than 10 times the upper normal range. The average length yellow perch was 7 inches. If you are looking to take the kids fishing from shore, Summit Lake would be worth considering. NORTHERN PIKE There is always a chance while fishing for yellow perch that an angler could catch a northern pike. Given the size of the lake, the northern pike numbers are very respectable. Historically we have had only 1 other survey when northern pike numbers have been higher. There are currently a couple of age groups of northern pike in the lake. It appears that the 2010 northern pike fingerling stocking was successful and many fish survived. With the abundant yellow perch population as prey, it is likely the northern pike will grow fast. Lengths of northern pike ranged from 25 to 38 inches. Selective harvest by practicing catch-and-release of larger northern pike will help to sustain the population by allowing the larger fish (usually females) to spawn. OTHER SPECIES Historically, black bullhead numbers have been much higher. It would appear that the walleye stockings in the past may be controlling black bullhead numbers. While the black bullhead fishing from shore will provide some angling activity for the kids, the sizes of bullheads are probably not going to be worth keeping at this point. Unfortunately, we first sampled common carp in Summit Lake in the 2008 survey. In the 2012 survey, we sampled 11 more common carp in the gill net and trap nets. Based on the length frequency histogram, it would appear there are 2 year classes. All but two of the fish sampled had total lengths ranging from 23-27 inches. The two sampled in trap nets had total lengths in the 11.5-13.0 inch range. It is unknown if these smaller fish are offspring from successful Summit Lake spawning or immigrants. Other species sampled were hybrid sunfish and white crappie. SUMMARY To maintain a healthy fishery in Summit Lake; we need to promote Best Management Practices (BMP's) within the watershed to help reduce nutrients entering the lake. High nutrients and sediments in a lake can cause algae blooms and reduce water clarity. Any improvements in the way of natural drainage in the watershed (non-tiled drainage to mimic natural wetland drainage) will help the fish community through increased water quality and water clarity. Prepared by Ryan Doorenbos

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in Summit. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Summit. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Summit has a maximum depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Summit is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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