Kelly & Dudley

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kelly & Dudley Lake was conducted on June 15, 2022, by DNR Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Abundant water lilies and emergent vegetation limited sampling at some stations. Backpack electrofishing was completed at nine sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used at six stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 2021 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Least Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead). 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Kelly-Dudley Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Cannon River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries Area staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Kelly & Dudley Lake on Aug 31 2021, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 35 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. The average lakewide habitat score was 75.1 (+/- 3.3), indicating overall lakeshore habitat quality was moderate (66-84). Approximately 51 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 62.0 (+/- 4.6), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 89.0 (+/- 1.1). The Score the Shore survey was designed to provide a means to quantify and compare lakeshore habitat between lakes. Kelly & Dudley Lake shoreline habitat score is higher than the statewide lake score average of 73.6.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries Area staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Kelly & Dudley Lake on Aug 31 2021, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 35 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. The average lakewide habitat score was 75.1 (+/- 3.3), indicating overall lakeshore habitat quality was moderate (66-84). Approximately 51 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 62.0 (+/- 4.6), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 89.0 (+/- 1.1). The Score the Shore survey was designed to provide a means to quantify and compare lakeshore habitat between lakes. Kelly & Dudley Lake shoreline habitat score is higher than the statewide lake score average of 73.6.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish, and Walleye in Kelly & Dudley. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Kelly & Dudley has a maximum depth of 60 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kelly & Dudley is from 2021.

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