Grove

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2023 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 10 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Grove Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the North Fork Crow River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Sixteen species were collected during this survey. Three species (Banded Killifish,Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter) were considered "intolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. No "tolerant" species were collected. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Grove Lake.

Grove Lake is a 345-acre lake located approximately 12 miles southeast of Glenwood. Grove Lake occurs in the headwaters of the North Fork Crow River watershed. The western half of the lake is very shallow and densely vegetated making fishing and recreational boating difficult during summer months. The deeper eastern half of the lake has a maximum depth of 31 feet. Water clarity was 12 feet during the survey. Bluegill relative abundance (25.3/trap net) is high for Grove Lake. Even with high densities, the size structure is good. Mean length in trap nets was 7.1 inches, with the largest being 9.5 inches. Sunfish anglers are reminded that a special regulation was implemented in 2021 that reduced the daily bag limit of sunfish from 20 to 10 to help protect and improve sunfish quality on this lake. For more information regarding the Quality Sunfish Initiative, see the following: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/sunfish/index.html. Few Black Crappie have been sampled in past surveys. The 2023 Black Crappie trap net catch (0.2/trap net) was low, while the gill net CPE (4.5/gill net) was the highest to date. This is likely the result of higher than normal surface water temperature for this time of year causing crappie to move deep. Mean length of Black Crappie in gill nets was 9.9 inches, with the largest being 13 inches. Largemouth Bass relative abundance was low, but similar to the last survey. Bass have never been very abundant in Grove Lake. Sampled fish ranged in length from 7.7 to 17.7 inches, with a mean of 12.8 inches. Northern Pike were extremely abundant (29.8/gill net), the most of any survey. Size structure is poor, with a mean length of 19.8 inches. Eighty-five percent of fish were under the 22-inch protected slot limit. However, the largest pike sampled was 37 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small Northern Pike. New Northern Pike regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase size structure. Grove Lake is in the North-Central Zone, where all pike from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Anglers can keep 10 pike, but not more than two can be longer than 26 inches. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules, except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches, or two larger than 26 inches. For more information see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pike/index.html. Similar to past surveys, few Walleye were sampled (1.5/gill net). Walleye ranged in length from 13.6 to 28.7 inches; with a mean of 19.6 inches. Fingerling stocking takes place every other year. However, with sustained high pike densities, Walleye stockings are not likely to be successful. Too few Yellow Perch were sampled for any meaningful analysis. Other species sampled include Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. Grove Lake is currently not an infested water and lake users should take extra precautions to keep it that way. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are easily moved from infested to non-infested waters and can negatively affect lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain water from their boat before leaving the access. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.

Grove Lake was sampled during May 2021 to assess the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. A special regulation that reduced the daily sunfish limit from 20 down to 10 was also implemented in the spring of 2021. The goal of the new regulation is to increase the average size of Bluegill. This survey will be used to help evaluate the effects of the regulation on the Bluegill population. At the time of the 2021 survey, the panfish community was dominated by younger, smaller fish. Bluegill catch rates were moderate and growth rates are above average. Most of the Bluegill sampled were age 6 or younger and only 6% of the Bluegill sampled were over 8 inches in length. The largest Bluegill sampled was 9.5 inches. Black Crappie catch rates were low and most of the fish were 2 years old. Black Crappie grow fast in Grove Lake, but because most of the fish were younger, only one fish over 10 inches was observed. Quality fishing opportunities can exist for multiple species in Grove Lake. Anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help improve and sustain the quality of the fishery. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while promoting harvest of more abundant smaller fish. Releasing medium to large fish will help restore and maintain fish community balance, as well as increase opportunities to catch large fish in the future. At the time of the 2021 survey, no invasive species have been recorded in Grove Lake. But people must remain vigilant to keep it that way. Recreational users should take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species. Drain all water and remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat and trailer when leaving any body of water.

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

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

Grove has a maximum depth of 31 feet and a mean depth of 10.3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Grove is from 2023.

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