Badger

Badger Lake is a marginal fish lake on the northern edge of Erskine, MN. The lake has a history of winter kills and abundant populations of Northern Pike and Black Bullhead. Following winterkills, the lake re-populates with Northern Pike and other fish species by immigration via County Ditch 73 or other channels. Pump and baffle aeration, begun in 1990, was discontinued in 2006 due to the lack of access to locations with good lake depth and electrical power. Since then, the City of Erskine annually operates two surface agitator units in Badger Lake, reducing the potential for winterkill. The City incurs all costs associated with the operation. DNR Fisheries crews monitor dissolved oxygen occasionally (usually in late winter) to evaluate the likelyhood of winterkill. Although bullheads remained present in 2016, net catches have certainly declined in the past decade. Northern Pike abundance in 2016 was similar to the 2010 survey at 12 pike per gill net. The average size of Northern Pike was up slightly from the 2010 survey and above the historical average. Pike averaged 2.1 pounds, with the largest Northern Pike sampled being 29.3 inches. Bluegill numbers in Badger Lake have increased to a historic high in 2016. Although the average size of 5.1 inches was at an all time low, the largest Bluegill sampled was 9.5 inches. Walleye numbers have historically been low in Badger Lake and sustained by fry stocking. Three Walleye were sampled in 2016 which is a historic high. Yellow Perch numbers remained at the long term average of 3.5 fish per net and had an average size of 7 inches.

Badger Lake is a marginal fish lake on the northern edge of Erskine, MN. The lake has a history of winter kills and abundant populations of northern pike and black bullhead. Following winterkills, the lake re-populates with northern pike and other fish species by immigration via County Ditch 73 or other channels. Pump and baffle aeration, begun in 1990, was discontinued in 2006 due to the lack of access to locations with good lake depth and electrical power. Since then, the City of Erskine annually operates two surface agitator units in Badger Lake, reducing the potential for winterkill. The City incures all costs associated with the operation. DNR Fisheries crews monitor dissolved oxygen occasionally (usually in late winter) to evaluate the likelyhood of winterkill. Although bullheads remained present in 2010, net catches have certainly declined in the past decade. The northern pike population has also declined, but larger pike were found in 2010 than in any previous study. Catch rates averaged 11.5 pike per set and those pike averaged 2.2 pounds each, though a couple of fish over thirty inches were also sampled. Growth rates of northern pike are good in this lake. Small numbers of largemouth bass, yellow perch, and bluegill were also found in Badger Lake. White suckers and brown bullheads were common.

Badger Lake is a marginal fish lake on the northern edge of Erskine, MN. The lake has a history of winter kills and abundant populations of northern pike and black bullhead. Following winterkills, the lake re-populates with northern pike and other fish species by immigration via County Ditch 73 or other inlets. Pump and baffle aeration, begun in 1990, has apparently helped to change the fish community structure somewhat in recent years.Through Minnesota's CORE (Cooperative Opportunity for Resource Enhancement) project, the Erskine Lion's Club and Erskine city employees operate and maintain a state-owned pump and baffle aeration system during most winters. DNR Fisheries crews monitorBadger Lake's dissolved oxygen and alert city workers when levels are nearing a critical point for sustaining fish life.Although bullheads remain abundant, the northern pike population has improved over the past 13 years. Of three test net studies during that time period, only the most recent (2002) found pike over thirty inches in length present. Not only were pike larger in the 2002 study, but also, net catches of northern pike were higher than in either of the other two surveys. Catch rates averaged 20.5 pike per set and those pike averaged 2.5 pounds each. Growth of northern pike is good on this lake.Small numbers of largemouth bass, walleye, black crappie, yellow perch, and bluegill were also found in Badger Lake. White suckers and brown bullheads were common while black bullheads (more resistant to winter kill) were extremely abundant. Bullhead catch rates in 2002 were over 90 fish per trap net which was the highest ever recorded.

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

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

Badger has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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