Maple

Maple Lake is a 1,641-acre lake located in northern Polk County, two miles south of Mentor. The maximum depth is 15 feet and the shoreline is considered highly developed with homes and cabins. The lake receives heavy recreational use and angling pressure from the surrounding area. There are two public access points, one on the west end of the lake and another on the east end adjacent to the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge. Maple Lake's fish community provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. This survey utilized only gill nets to evaluate the Walleye population in Maple Lake in June 2024. Anglers will find a high number of Northern Pike in Maple Lake. Most fish will be small, but there is a good opportunity to catch quality pike. The average size of the pike captured was 23 inches, but one 37-inch fish was measured. Additionally, 25% of the pike surveyed were over 26 inches. Walleye numbers were well above average for the lake and the average size was about 13 inches. About 25% of the Walleye captured in 2024 were over 15 inches and 15% were over 20 inches. There should be good numbers of Walleyes in the lake for years to come. Bluegill numbers continue to be good in the lake with plenty of fish over eight inches available for anglers to catch. Black Crappie up to 12 inches long were measured and in moderate numbers. Other fish species observed were Largemouth Bass, Freshwater Drum, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, and Yellow Bullhead.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Maple Lake was conducted on July 13, 2022, by Detroit Lakes Area Fisheries Staff. Data collected during this nearshore survey were combined with trap net and gill net data to calculate a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score for the lake. The FIBI Tool-7 was used for scoring and resulted in a FIBI score of 49. The previous score for Maple Lake was 67 in June 2015. The impairment threshold score is 36, suggesting that the fish population in Maple Lake meets expectations for lakes of similar characteristics, and the lake is likely not biologically impaired. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Clearwater River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. 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.

Maple Lake is a 1,641-acre lake located in northern Polk County, two miles south of Mentor. The lake possesses a highly developed shoreline and receives considerable recreational use and angling pressure from the surrounding area. The lake's fishery provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Maple Lake in June 2021. Walleye abundance in 2021 was average and similar as previous surveys conducted as far back as 2010 . Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 12 to 28 inches, averaging almost 18 inches long. Growth of Walleye were near the state average, with fish reaching 15 inches long by age four. Northern Pike abundance has increased steadily since 2005. Pike abundance in 2021 was no different, with abundance reaching a new record high. Northern Pike surveyed in 2021 ranged in length from 13 to 33 inches, averaging 22 inches long. Pike between 17 and 24 inches in length were most abundant, accounting for 69.0% of total pike catch. Bluegill abundance in 2021 was higher than average in Maple Lake. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from three to nine inches, averaging almost seven inches long. Approximately 5% of sampled Bluegill were eight inches or longer. Based on aging structures, it required nine years for a Bluegill to reach eight inches long. Black Crappie abundance was similar as past years, with fish ranging in length from seven to 11 inches and averaging 9 inches long. No Largemouth Bass were caught in 2021 despite anglers reporting them in their catches. Additional species sampled during this assessment included Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker. Common Carp have been documented in standard surveys in low numbers since 1979 and only two fish were caught in 2021. To enhance and protect water quality and fish habitat in Maple Lake watershed residents and shoreline owners can reduce fertilizer use or use phosphorus free fertilizers, leave emergent aquatic vegetation like bulrush and cattail intact, and maintain natural vegetation buffers to reduce nutrient and sediment input and to control erosion. These actions help slow down the natural aging process of shallow lakes and reduce the chances of significant fish kills.

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

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

Maple has a maximum depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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