West Vadnais

Ramsey County

Near Cardigan Junction

DOW: 62003802

Yellow PerchGood · 58Hybrid SunfishAverage · 46PumpkinseedAverage · 44

A 212-acre lake near Cardigan Junction in Ramsey County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 2001.

Fish Species (12)

Yellow Perch

Good · 58

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 18.5 per gill net · typical 2.7–25 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 1986	18.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 46

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 2.2 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	2.17	5.0"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 1986	0.67	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 44

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.3–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	0.17	5.0"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 38

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.0"

Avg Weight

2.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.1–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	0.50	19.0"	2.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 33

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 19.7 per trap net · typical 1.2–20 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	19.67	5.0"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 9, 2001	0.50	5.0"	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 1986	25.33	-	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets

Green Sunfish

Average · 31

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.0"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	0.17	4.0"	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 26

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.2–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	0.50	6.3"	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (5)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Common Carp

Good · 55

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 26.0 per gill net · typical 1–13.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	0.17	30.0"	11.08 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 1986	26.00	-	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 1986	18.67	-	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.2"

Avg Weight

0.24 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 0.4–4.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	2.00	7.2"	0.28 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 9, 2001	3.00	7.2"	0.24 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 1986	4.00	-	0.26 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 41

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 42.2 per trap net · typical 11.5–132.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	168.50	6.3"	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 9, 2001	42.17	6.3"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 8, 1996	22.50	6.8"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Average · 40

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.2"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2001	0.17	6.0"	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 8, 1996	0.50	5.2"	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 8, 1996	1.00	5.2"	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Poor · 17

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.5"

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.8–6.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 1996	0.17	9.5"	0.97 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 8, 1996	0.50	9.5"	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 1986	0.33	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

July 9, 2001West Vadnais Lake has been dominated by black bullheads since the survey of 1986. Prior to that brown bullheads were the most commonly caught specie.…

West Vadnais Lake has been dominated by black bullheads since the survey of 1986. Prior to that brown bullheads were the most commonly caught specie. The fish population of West Vadnais apparently suffers complete or partial winterkill on nearly an annual basis. Game fish sampled were one 19" northern pike, several bluegill averaging 5-6" in length, and three 7" black crappies. Other species represented were; black bullhead, brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, green sunfish, golden shiner, and carp.

July 8, 1996The fish population of this lake is almost entirely small black bullheads. The only other fish caught were a few small white sucker and golden shiner…

The fish population of this lake is almost entirely small black bullheads. The only other fish caught were a few small white sucker and golden shiner which were probably escapees from an angler's bait bucket.

July 14, 1986THE FISH POPULATION CONSISTED OF: WHITE SUCKER, CARP, BLACK AND BROWN BULLHEADS, YELLOW PERCH, BLUEGILL, HYBRID SUNFISH, FATHEAD MINNOWS, AND SPOTTAIL…

THE FISH POPULATION CONSISTED OF: WHITE SUCKER, CARP, BLACK AND BROWN BULLHEADS, YELLOW PERCH, BLUEGILL, HYBRID SUNFISH, FATHEAD MINNOWS, AND SPOTTAIL SHINERS. ALL SPECIES WERE SAMPLED AT LEVELS FAR ABOVE LOCAL MEDIAN LEVELS. THE 1976 SURVEY SHOWED WHITE AND BLACK CRAPPIE, GOLDEN SHINERS, AND NORTHERN PIKE PRESENT AT THAT TIME. ONE OR MORE PARTIAL WINTERKILLS SINCE THAT SURVEY PROBABLY CHANGED THE COMPOSITION OF THAT POPULA- TION TO WHAT PRESENTLY EXISTS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in West Vadnais?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, and Bluegill in West Vadnais. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at West Vadnais?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for West Vadnais. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is West Vadnais?

West Vadnais has a maximum depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in West Vadnais last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in West Vadnais is from 2001. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does West Vadnais have any invasive species?

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