East Leaf

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in East Leaf Lake was conducted on July 18, 2022 by Fergus Falls Area Fisheries Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations, but six stations were moved a short distance due to site conditions and two stations were sampled by boat electrofishing. A 15-foot seine was used at seven stations, and soft sediments and abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (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., Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Rock Bass and Smallmouth 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. Results from this survey indicate the fish community of East Leaf Lake is affected by disturbance as indicated by an FIBI score very near to the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Leaf River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

East Leaf Lake is a 404-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in eastern Otter Tail County approximately five miles north of Henning, MN. East Leaf Lake is connected to Middle Leaf Lake by an unnavigable culvert. The Leaf River outlet is located along the north shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. East Leaf Lake has a maximum depth of 47 feet; however, 28% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 survey was 9.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 3.8 to 8.0 feet. Shoreline development is primarily located along the east and west shorelines. Homes and cabins compose the majority of the development. A resort is located along the northwest shoreline. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the east shoreline off of County Road 67. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and cattails) is prevalent along the entire shoreline of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. East Leaf Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant game fish species in the fish community. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. A high-density Northern Pike population exists; however, Northern Pike size structure and growth rates have improved from previous surveys. Northern Pike ranged in length from 13.2 to 28.4 inches with an average length and weight of 21.6 inches and 2.2 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 24.9 inches at five years of age. The Black Crappie population is very abundant. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.1 to 12.1 inches. The 2018 and 2020 year classes are strong and should provide consistently good crappie fishing for several years. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.7 inches at five years of age. Bluegill abundance and size structure tends to fluctuate. A high quality size structure presently exists, with Bluegills up to 9.7 inches represented in the sample. Forty-one percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 8% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.2 inches at six years of age. A moderate density Walleye population exists. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.3 to 24.9 inches with an average length and weight of 14.9 inches and 1.3 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.6 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. East Leaf Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted in East Leaf Lake on August 15-16, 2018 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 stations with one site sampled from the boat. A 15-foot seine was used to sample nine stations and one sampling station had conditions that prevented the use of seines. Nearshore sampling captured 20 native species of fish including five species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, and Rock Bass) as well as three tolerant species (Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from standard gill and trap netting surveys to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) that describes the overall health of the lake. 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. 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. The FIBI score for East Leaf Lake based on this survey is near the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Redeye River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass in East Leaf. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

East Leaf has a maximum depth of 47 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in East Leaf is from 2022.

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