Mashkenode

Mashkenode Lake is located three miles southwest of the city of Virginia with its access via a concrete ramp off County Road 7. The lake covers 128 acres, has a maximum depth of 14 feet, and has brown-colored water. The lake's major inlet and outlet is the East Two River. On June 13, 2022 water temperatures ranged from 68 F at the surface to 59 F at the bottom. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish to a depth of 10.0 feet. Shoreline substrates are made up of mostly sand, silt, and clay. Aquatic vegetation growth can be quite substantial at times. Mashkenode was first stocked with walleye fry in 2013, and the lake has been annually stocked (except for 2020) ever since. In 2022 the overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 45.0 fish/net, which was the second lowest on record for the lake. Fish species sampled in gillnets were northern pike, white sucker, black crappie, yellow perch, walleye, and black bullhead. The overall trapnet catch rate for all fish combined was 13.4 fish/net, which was the lowest catch on record for the lake. Some fish species that were sampled in trap nets and not in gill nets were bluegill, pumpkinseed, golden shiner, and brown bullhead. The walleye population has shown promise over the two most recent surveys (2022 and 2017) since the introduction of walleye fry. The 2017 catch rate was 4.3 fish/net and the 2022 survey sampled 6.0 fish/net. The current gillnet catch rate is very good compared to other similar lakes in the state and the highest on record for Mashekenode Lake. Lengths ranged from 8 to 21 inches, with an average of nearly 17 inches. Growth rates were quite good with the average walleye reaching nearly 16 inches at 4 years old. Ages ranged from 1 to 7 with all fish coming from stocked year classes. The northern pike gillnet catch was 9.8 fish/net which was better than most other similar lakes in the state and the highest on record for the lake. Sizes ranged from 13 to 37 inches with an average of nearly 23 inches. The largest fish in the sample was the new record for the lake. Thirty black crappie were sampled in trap nets for a catch rate of 3.3 fish/net. This was right at the average when compared to past surveys on the lake and better than average when compared to other similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 5 to 12 inches with an average of 8 inches. Thirty-six additional fish were sampled in the gill nets. Their lengths were similar to the trap netted fish. Nine bluegill were sampled in trap nets for a catch rate of 1.0 fish/net. This was tied for the lowest catch rated on record for the lake and low when compared to other similar lakes. Sizes ranged from 4.5 to just over 9 inches with an average of nearly 7 inches. The yellow perch gillnet catch rate (7.3 fish/gill net) was the second lowest on record for the lake and below average compared to other similar lakes. Sizes ranged from 5 to 7 inches. One rusty crayfish was captured in a trap net. This was the first documentation of rusty crayfish in Mashkenode.

Mashkenode Lake is located approximately 3 miles SW of Virginia. This shallow lake is highly productive with large amounts of aquatic vegetation present and algae blooms are common. Mashkenode has a history of periodic winterkills which can affect the current fish populations and associated species diversity. There is a concrete ramp located near the SW shore for public access. The gravel access road is located off the W side of CR 7 south of Mt. Iron. The parking area is limited in space to 6 trucks/trailers or less. Ten species of fish were sampled in 2017 using 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets. Black bullheads were the most common species sampled by far. Record numbers of white sucker and yellow perch were also recorded in 2017. Several other species of game fish are present in generally low numbers with walleye being represented in the catch from a successful fry stocking in 2105. Black bullhead were sampled in the gill nets (51%) and trap nets (86%). Bullhead average lengths were in the 6 inch range with the largest sampled around 12 inches. The 2017 bullhead catch was a record for both gear types used for sampling. Walleye numbers in 2017 (4.3/gill net) were above average compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average walleye sampled was 11.2 inches and the largest walleye was 15.4 inches long. Walleye fry were stocked in 2014, 2015 and 2016. All walleye aged in the 2017 sample came from the 2015 stocking. Northern pike numbers in 2017 (2.2/gill net) were below the historic average for Mashkenode Lake (5.0/gill net) and below average (5.0/gill net) compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average pike sampled was 27.1 inches and the largest pike measured 33.5 inches long. Pike average weight (5.1 lbs.) was heavier than the average weight (1.8 lbs.) of pike from other similar area lakes. Low numbers of black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass were also recorded in 2017. The average crappie sampled was 7.3 inches up to 8.5 inches. The average bluegill measured 6.5 inches up to 8.6 inches. Largemouth bass sampled in 2017 were on the small side with 5 fish measured under 12 inches in length.

This special assessment was conducted to determine the effect of an apparent winterkill on Mashkenode Lake that was discovered about April 28, 2007 and reported on April 30. In that report, accompanied by photos, a riparian landowner traveled around the perimeter of the lake and saw thousands of dead fish, including large northern pike, bass, bluegill, crappie, sucker and bullhead. On May 1 wind was blowing into the landing. A Fisheries employee walked 200 yards in each direction from the landing on Mashkenode Lake and saw no dead fish. No birds were observed on the Lake. A second conversation with the landowner who reported the fish kill indicated most of the dead fish were in the bay by the outlet. A fish kill was also reported by the local conservation officer in the spring of 1976 but could not be confirmed by Fisheries staff on March 31 after an undetermined period of time had lapsed since the report. Winter oxygen checks have been conducted on Mashkenode Lake in mid-February or mid March during seven years from 1957 through 1988. Low oxygen was found during two of these years, on 03/06/1984 (maximum of 1.5 ppm) and 03/12/1986 (no oxygen was detected). Three previous fisheries investigations have been done on Mashkenode Lake, on 07/09/1984, 07/12/1989, and on 06/18/2001. Each of these investigations sampled fish using 2-3 gillnets and 4-8 standard trapnets. The special assessment on 10/02/2007 sampled fish with 2 gillnets, 2 standard trapnets, and 2 small mesh (1/4" bar) trapnets. Results of the 2007 assessment show changes in fish populations consistent with winterkill, although the late date of the 2007 assessment (in early October) may have been responsible for some of the observed changes (catches of most fish species are highest in the spring, then gradually decline over the summer). In general, the assessment showed that populations of fish species tolerant of low oxygen conditions (bullheads and fathead minnows) increased in 2007, while populations of fish species less tolerant of low oxygen conditions (northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill sunfish) decreased. Black bullhead numbers in 2007 (85/gillnet, 91/standard trapnet) were about three times higher than in previous investigations (average of 28/gillnet, 25/trapnet). In addition, the small mesh trapnets captured extremely high numbers of young-of-year black bullhead (8,100/net) and fathead minnows (18,900/net). Northern pike numbers in 2007 (1.0/gillnet) were much lower than the average catch of 8.1/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. Yellow perch numbers in 2007 (3.5/gillnet) were much lower than the average catch of 55.3/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. Bluegill sunfish numbers in 2007 (1.0/trapnet) were much lower than the average catch of 28.2/trapnet in previous investigations on this lake. Black crappie and white sucker populations did not appear to change between 2007 and previous investigations. Northern pike, yellow perch, and bluegill sunfish all have high reproductive potential and should be able to recover on their own, although the extremely high numbers of bullhead and fathead minnows that are currently present may slow this process by preying on the young gamefish and competing with them for food.

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

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

Mashkenode has a maximum depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mashkenode is from 2022.

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