Crystal

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Crystal Lake, was conducted over several days, including June 17-18 and June 20, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 18 sampling stations, but five stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 12 stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program Staff. Twelve trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 11 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). Bluegill comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Bluegill and Bowfin comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from an 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). 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. In addition to fish sampling, IBI program staff also conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Crystal Lake on June 18, 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 70 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: the shoreline zone (i.e., the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), the shoreland zone (i.e., land-ward from shoreline to developed structure or 100 feet), and the aquatic zone (i.e., lake-ward 50 feet from the shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 65.2 (+/- 2.9) out of 100 possible. A score of 65.2 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is poor (i.e., 50-65.9). Approximately 59 percent of the sites were developed, with a mean score of 49.7 (+/- 3.1) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is very poor (i.e., <50), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 87.1 (+/- 0.6) with high (i.e., 85-91.9) habitat quality. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Crystal Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes, despite relatively poor lakeshore habitat condition as indicated by the Score the Shore score. The FIBI results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Crystal Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Crystal Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Crystal Lake is a 1,317-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County, approximately six miles northeast of Pelican Rapids, MN. Crystal Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Crystal Lake is connected to Lizzie Lake by a navigable culvert under County Road 31. The maximum depth is 55 feet; however, 51% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2023 survey was 17.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 5.3 to 10.0 feet. The northwest, south, and east shorelines of Crystal Lake have been extensively developed with homes and cabins. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the west shoreline off of County Road 31. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel with muck being the dominant substrate in the bays. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered throughout the lake, while cattails are prevalent in the bays. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattails provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and can 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 angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. A special gillnetting survey was conducted in 2023 to analyze the Northern Pike and Walleye populations. A high-density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction rates are consistently high. As a result, Northern Pike size structure and growth rates continue to be poor. Northern Pike ranged in length from 13.3 to 26.9 inches with a mean length and weight of 20.1 inches and 1.7 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 23.5 inches at five years of age. Walleye abundance has remained stable at a moderate level over the recent series of surveys. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.1 to 21.1 inches with an average length and weight of 14.0 inches and 1.1 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 15.3 inches at four years of age. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2022. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. A special spring trapnetting survey was conducted in 2022 to collect baseline data on the Bluegill population, which will be used for regulation evaluation purposes in future surveys. The Bluegill population is extremely abundant and has a quality size structure. Sixty-three percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 34% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.9 inches at eight years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing 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 more large fish in the future. Crystal Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive 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.

Crystal Lake is a 1,317-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately six miles northeast of Pelican Rapids, MN. Crystal Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Crystal Lake is connected to Lizzie Lake by a navigable culvert under County Road 31. The maximum depth is 55 feet; however, 51% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 5.3 to 10.0 feet. The northwest, south, and east shorelines of Crystal Lake have been extensively developed with homes and cabins. A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the west shoreline off of County Road 31. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel with muck being the dominant substrate in the bays. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered throughout the lake, while cattails are prevalent in the bays. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattails 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 angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (10 per day) was implemented in 2022. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. A special spring trapnetting survey was conducted to collect baseline data on the Bluegill population, which will be used for regulation evaluation purposes in future surveys. The Bluegill population is extremely abundant and has a quality size structure. Sixty-three percent of the Bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 34% was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.9 inches at eight years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing 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 more large fish in the future. Crystal Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive 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 Smallmouth Bass, Green Sunfish, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Crystal. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Crystal has a maximum depth of 55 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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