Sewell

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sewell Lake was conducted on June 24th-25th, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program. 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. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. A 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Two stations were not seined due to thick vegetation and soft sediments. Nearshore sampling captured eighteen species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and four that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured ten species of fish, and no species captured were intolerant of disturbance. Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Common Carp and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from August 2023 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). 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 provide evidence that the fish community in Sewell Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Sewell Lake was vulnerable to biological impairment. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Pomme de Terre River assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Sewell Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Sewell Lake isa 338-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately six miles southeast of Dalton, MN. Sewell Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. Land use in the immediate watershed is primarily agricultural. The maximum depth of Sewell Lake is 52 feet; however, 50% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 17.0 feet. Water clarity in this lake sometimes diminishes during the summer months due to plankton/algae blooms. A large majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. It is primarily composed of agricultural crops. The shoalwater substrates are composed primarily of sand and gravel. A state-owned public water access is located along the north shoreline of the lake. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are located along the south shoreline. Common cattail is also prevalent along various shorelines 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. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Data from the 2024 spring electrofishing assessment indicate that Largemouth Bass are abundant, and the population has a good size structure. Bass ranged in length from 3.4 to 19.7 inches with an average length and weight of 13.2 inches and 1.8 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 13.7 inches at four years of age. A slot length limit regulation for Largemouth Bass is in effect for Sewell Lake. The regulation is a 14.0-to-20.0-inch protected slot with one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The objective of the regulation is to maintain or improve the size structure of the Largemouth Bass population. Anglers can maintain the quality fishing that this lake has to offer 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. Sewell 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.

Sewell Lake a 338-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately six miles southeast of Dalton, MN. Sewell Lake is part of the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. Land use in the immediate watershed is primarily agricultural. The maximum depth of Sewell Lake is 52 feet; however, 50% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2023 survey was 8.5 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 17.0 feet. Water clarity in this lake sometimes diminishes during the summer months due to plankton and algae blooms. A large majority of the shoreline is undeveloped and is primarily composed of agricultural crops. The shoalwater substrates are composed primarily of sand and gravel. A state owned public water access is located along the north shoreline of the lake. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are located along the south shoreline. Common cattail is also prevalent along various shorelines 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. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Northern Pike and Walleye populations. Northern Pike abundance has decreased over the recent series of surveys. The decline in abundance can be attributed to an outlet structure which was installed in 2016. Resulting lower water levels decreased the amount of available spawning habitat for Northern Pike. Northern Pike ranged in length from 16.5 to 29.6 inches with an average length and weight of 21.8 inches and 2.3 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 23.5 inches at four years of age. Walleye abundance has remained stable at a moderate level over the recent series of surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.0 to 24.9 inches with an average length and weight of 17.5 inches and 2.2 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 12.2 inches at two years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing survey conducted in 2018 indicated that the Largemouth Bass population is abundant, exhibits consistently good reproduction, fast growth rates, and has a good size structure. A spring electrofishing survey is proposed to be conducted in the spring of 2024 to provide data for an updated analysis of the Largemouth Bass population. A slot length limit regulation for Largemouth Bass is in effect for Sewell Lake. The regulation is a 14.0 to 20.0 inch protected slot with one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The objective of the regulation is to maintain or improve the size structure of the Largemouth Bass population. Anglers can maintain the quality fishing that this lake has to offer 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 opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. Sewell 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.

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

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

Sewell has a maximum depth of 52 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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