Ann

This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2022-2023 winter. Trap netting results suggested that winterkill severity was low and restorative stockings were not warranted. Gamefish species present included Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Black Crappie were particularly abundant.

A targeted survey was conducted on Ann Lake to provide insight into the current fish community. Gill nets were set at three of six historic sites. Survey results will be used to inform stocking decisions and update the public on current and future fishing opportunities. Walleye abundance (4.0/gill net) has declined significantly since the 2018 standard survey (29.2/gill net). Most Walleye were older (age 7) and therefore large, ranging from 19 to 23 inches. Average length was almost 22 inches. Yellow Perch are currently extremely abundant (180.3/gill net). Most fish were young but are growing very fast. Perch ranged in length from 6 to 12 inches, with a mean of 8 inches. If Ann Lake does not winterkill for a few years it may provide a jumbo perch fishery. Black Crappie are abundant (36.0/gill net) but most were small (ranged in length from 5 to 8 inches). Bluegill were also abundant (30.7/gill net) and ranged from 3 to 8 inches, with a mean of only 4 inches. After sustained lower abundance the previous two surveys, the Black Bullhead population has significantly increased (101.3/gill net). Most individuals are small (less than 8 inches) but the largest bullhead sampled was 16 inches and 3 pounds. Additional species sampled include Common Carp, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and White Sucker.

Ann Lake is a 370-acre basin located four miles northwest of Glenwood. Mean and max depths are 12 and 14 feet, respectively. There is a gravel access on the northwest side of the lake off County Road 15. This shallow, fertile lake is prone to occasional winterkill events and summer algal blooms. The last winterkill took place in the winter of 2013-2014. Restorative stockings of Walleyes, Black Crappies, Largemouth Bass, Bluegills, and Yellow Perch occurred in early 2014. A standard lake survey was completed in 2018 to gain estimates of fish abundance and determine size structure of gamefish populations. Survey findings confirmed the fish community has rebounded and Ann Lake can offer good fishing opportunities between winterkill events. Black Crappie catches were high following successful reproduction of stocked adults. Average length of these young crappies was approximately 7.5 inches. The largest capture measured 11.6 inches. Bluegill catches were surprisingly high. Growth of young Bluegills has been fast. Average length of Bluegills captured measured 7.9 inches. Fifteen percent of Bluegills captured in gill nets measured 8.0 inches and larger. An electrofishing survey was completed in June targeting Largemouth Bass. Bass proved to be moderately abundant, but the electrofishing catch was dominated by small fish. Mean length was 10.5 inches. The largest bass captured measured 14.5 inches. Walleye catches were very high, averaging 29.2 fish/gill net. Most of the population sample was made up of harvestable-size fish. Average length of Walleyes was 16.3 inches. The largest measured 23.3 inches. A few of these larger fish apparently survived the last winterkill event or moved back into the lake from connected waters. Gill net catches also included modest numbers of Northern Pike. These fish were not stocked. Most pike were small fish, averaging 21.2 inches. Ann Lake supports a promising Yellow Perch fishery. Gill net catches averaged 50.0 perch/net. Most of the catch was made up of two-year-old fish. Even though they proved to be young fish, average length of those two-year-old captures was 9.5 inches. The oldest perch captures were five-year-olds that averaged 11.8 inches. The largest Yellow Perch captured measured 12.2 inches. Other fishes sampled in this survey included Black Bullheads, Common Carp, and White Suckers. Populations of these tolerant fishes often make up most of the total weight of fishes captured in lakes similar to Ann Lake. Catches were low in 2018 compared to past surveys in probable response to a more diverse fish community and healthy predator density. Typical of winterkill lakes, Ann Lake is a "boom and bust" fishery where fish growth is fast but fishing opportunity is intermittent between winterkill events. Ann Lake is currently on a boom cycle with some excellent numbers and sizes of gamefish. Hopefully, this promising fishery can be sustained through the harsh winter of 2018-19. Ann Lake is an impaired water due excess nutrient loading. As a result, frequent and severe algal blooms are common during summer months, including prevalent blue-green algae. Ann Lake is not listed as "Infested Water" but the lake does contain curly-leaf pondweed and Common Carp. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners 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

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

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

Ann has a maximum depth of 14 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 Ann is from 2022.

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