First

First Lake is a small (80 acre), bog-stained, softwater lake without a public access. It has a relatively small northern population in comparison to similar lakes, but the northerns are large. Thirty percent of those taken in gillnets in this survey were 26" or larger. Largemouth bass were not taken in trapnets or gillnets in this survey, but are reported to range up to seven pounds. Time constraints prevented night electofishing for bass, which is the preferred method for sampling this species. Bluegills are normal for the lake type, with over half of those taken in trapnets 6" or larger. Black crappies were normal in both size and weight in comparison to similar lakes, but have been more abundant in some previous assessments. Walleyes were not taken in this or previous assessments. Shoreline seining provided evidence of successful reproduction of yellow perch, northerns, largemouth bass, and bluegills in 1995. In general, First Lake appears to have excellent gamefish populations, relatively lightly impacted by fishing pressure. -Steve Morse

Based on their respective local medians the present fish population of First Lake is as follows: The northern pike was slightly low at 3.00 per set with an average weight of 1.76 lbs. The yellow perch was extremely low at 0.17 per set. The largemouth bass was absent in the net catches but young of the year were taken during shoreline seining operations. The bluegill was low at 11.00 per set and of small size. The white crappie at 1.25 was low while the black crappie at 0.75 per set was extremely low. Both species were of small to average size. The white sucker and the yellow bullhead were slightly low while the brown bullhead was low and the black bullhead was extremely low.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Rock Bass, and Black Crappie in First. 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 First. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

First has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in First is from 1995. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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