Emily

Lake Emily is a shallow 2,377-acre, highly-productive basin located in southwestern Pope County with a maximum depth of 6 feet. Despite being shallow, winterkill events have been rare. Groundwater exchange, springs, and combined stream flows from the Little Chippewa River and Lake Minnewaska help sustain adequate dissolved oxygen levels to support fish life during winter months. Habitat changes are evident in Lake Emily in response to infestations of aquatic invasive species that include curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, and zebra mussels. Water transparency has increased to exceed 3 feet in recent years. Eurasian watermilfoil can form dense stands on the east end of the lake, and expansion of submergent plants within western portions of the basin has occurred as well. A targeted survey, consisting of eight gill nets, was conducted June 2-4, 2025 to evaluate the fish community of Lake Emily. This survey was primarily conducted to evaluate Walleye stocking and natural reproduction between standard surveys. Walleye abundance (5.6/gill net) was below the long-term average, but similar to recent surveys in 2022 (6.7/gill net) and 2016 (6.5/gill net). Past Walleye relative abundance has been quite variable, ranging from 2.5/gill net (1987) to 31.0/gill net (2010). Walleye growth is fast, but most fish were young. Average length was 15.6 inches, and the largest was 26.1 inches. Considerable natural reproduction has been documented in past surveys (see 2022 survey), although annual fry stocking from 2021 to 2024 make evaluation difficult for this survey. Biennial stockings of Lower Mississippi strain Walleye fry, which began in 2024, will be evaluated in the future. Northern Pike were sampled at a record low (3.0/gill net), but the size structure was impressive. The number of pike greater than 28 inches was much higher than previous surveys. Pike ranged from 16.7 to 36.7 inches, averaging 27.1 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small Northern Pike. New Northern Pike regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase size structure. Lake Emily 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. The Channel Catfish population continues to expand (15.1/gill net), and was significantly higher than any previous survey (8.6/gill net in 2022). Catfish ranged from 14.6 to 28.0 inches, with a mean of 20.8 inches. Few Black Crappie were sampled (0.9/gill net), similar to past surveys. The sample was limited, but growth was fast and fish were large. Crappie averaged 11.8 inches, with the largest fish sampled being 12.8 inches. Other species sampled include Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Quillback, Shorthead Redhorse and White Sucker. Lake Emily is designated as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels. Eurasian watermilfoil was first found in Lake Emily in 2014. The lake is downstream of Lake Minnewaska and was added to the infested waters list for zebra mussels in 2012. 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.

Lake Emily is a shallow 2,377-acre, highly-productive basin located in southwestern Pope County. Maximum depth is 6 feet. Despite a low average depth, winterkill events have been rare. Groundwater exchange, springs, and combined stream flows in the Little Chippewa River and from Lake Minnewaska help sustain adequate dissolved oxygen levels to support fish life during winter months. Notable habitat changes are evident in Lake Emily in probable response to infestations of aquatic invasive species that include curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian water milfoil, and zebra mussels. Water transparency has increased to exceed 3 feet in recent years. Eurasian water milfoil can form dense stands in the east end of the lake and a great expansion of submergent plants within western portions of the basin has occurred as well. Such habitat changes have potential to reshape fish community structure. In June 2022 a standard fish survey was completed to gain current information on the Lake Emily fish community. Walleye remained moderately abundant. Gill net catches averaged 6.7 Walleye/net, which is similar to the last survey in 2016, but lower than average for Lake Emily. Average size of sampled Walleye was over 16 inches with a maximum length of 24 inches. Growth was rapid with Walleye reaching 16 inches by age 3. Walleye fry are stocked in even-numbered years to supplement the fishery. However, aging analysis determined that at least 82% of the Walleye caught during the 2022 survey were from non-stocked years, indicating natural recruitment is currently driving this fishery. Also, while fish movement in and out of Lake Emily definitely occurs, it appears Walleye movement downstream from Lake Minnewaska is likely minimal. Large year classes are sporadic in both systems and large year classes observed in Lake Minnewaska do not show up in Lake Emily. An example of this occurred recently. A large year class of Walleye from 2019 has been observed in several surveys in Lake Minnewaska, and this year class currently dominates the Walleye population in Lake Minnewaska. At the same time, the large and dominant year class in Lake Emily is from 2020. While Walleye fishing reports have recently improved in both of these systems, it is not a result of Walleye movement, but instead separate success of different year classes in each system. Largemouth Bass and Bluegill abundance is increasing in Lake Emily likely due to changing habitat conditions that include increasing water transparency and submergent vegetation. Catch rates for both species were much higher than any previous surveys. Most of the bass ranged from 12 to 17 inches, with the largest being 18 inches. Most of the Bluegill were younger and smaller fish. Only a few Bluegill over 8 inches were sampled, but growth rates are fast and many of those smaller fish should be over 8 inches within two years. Lake Emily supports both Black and White Crappie populations and some hybridization of crappies has also been documented. Black Crappie were sampled in moderate numbers. Captures averaged 11 inches. White Crappie were less abundant. Only one White Crappie was captured during the survey. Both species grow fast in Lake Emily and can reach impressive sizes. A few crappies over 15 inches were observed in many surveys. Northern Pike catches remain modest. Pike captures averaged 27 inches and the largest Northern Pike measured was almost 33 inches. Lake Emily also supports a unique fishery within the Glenwood Fisheries Management Area, as it is the only lake that supports a fishable population of Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish and an occasional White Bass have been documented in Lake Emily for a long time, but Channel Catfish catch rates have increased over the last several surveys. Average size of Channel Catfish was 23 inches and over 4 pounds. No White Bass were observed in the 2022 survey. White Bass have maintained a low population abundance in Lake Emily. Lake Emily is designated as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels. Eurasian watermilfoil was first found in Lake Emily in 2014. The lake is downstream of Lake Minnewaska and was thus added to the infested waters list for zebra mussels in 2012. Significant habitat changes are occurring following these infestations. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to other lakes.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2016 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 23 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Lake Emily. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Chippewa River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Twenty-three species were collected during this survey, indicating a relatively diverse nearshore fish community. Two species (Banded Killifish and Iowa Darter) were considered "intolerant" and five species (Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, and Orangespotted Sunfish) were considered "tolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. 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 Lake Emily.

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

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

Emily has a maximum depth of 6 feet and a mean depth of 5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Emily is from 2025.

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