Myrtle

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Myrtle Lake was conducted on July 21-23, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program staff. Nearshore sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing, mini-fyke nets, and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing and 1/8" mesh mini-fyke net sampling were completed at fourteen sampling stations. Additionally, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. Five stations were not seined due to rocky shorelines, steep drop-offs, soft sediment, and/or vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured eighteen species of fish, including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). The nearshore data along with gill net and standard trap net data will be used to develop fish community models for Minnesota's Boreal Shield lakes, which will be used to measure lake health in this region. These models may function similarly to fish-based index of biological integrity (FIBI) models developed for lakes across much of the rest of the state. For additional information, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. You can help protect the fish community in Myrtle Lake by maintaining natural shorelines and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Myrtle Lake is an 876 acre fishery located approximately seven miles east of the city of Orr, Minnesota. Myrtle has a maximum depth of 20 feet, and about 98% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. There is a public access on the east end of the lake with a concrete ramp and gravel lot. Myrtle Lake supports a fairly diverse fishery with populations of several species of gamefish that could be of interest to anglers. Myrtle Lake has no special regulations. Fishing regulations follow statewide regulations for inland waters. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Myrtle Lake in 2022 as part of a normal rotation of investigational surveys. Walleye gill net catch rate was 3.0 fish per net, which was below average for similar lakes. Length ranged from 12.7 to 26.6 inches, with an average of 16.5 inches. Average weight was 1.8 pounds, which was well above average for similar lakes. A total of seven year-classes were present, and ranged from 4-20 years. Although Walleye abundance is less than similar lakes, size is above average. There are good numbers of Walleye in the 14" - 20" range, and a decent number over 20" with the potential of catching a Walleye over 26". Black Crappie trap net catch rate was 4.4 fish per net, which was above average for similar lakes. Length ranged from 4.5 to 10.0 inches, with an average of 8.1 inches. Average weight was 0.3 pounds, which was slightly below average for similar lakes. A total of eight year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-12 years. Myrtle Lake offers a good fishing opportunity with quality Black Crappie in the system. Bluegill trap net catch rate was 4.1 fish per net, which was above average for similar lakes. Length ranged from 3.6 to 8.1 inches, with an average of 7.0 inches. Average weight was 0.3 pounds, which was above average for similar lakes. A total of six year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-8 years. Myrtle Lake offers a good fishing opportunity with quality Bluegills in the system. Northern Pike gill net catch rate was 5.3 fish per net, which was above average for similar lakes. Length ranged from 11.6 to 36.6 inches, with an average of 23.3 inches. Average weight was 3.1 pounds, which was well above average for similar lakes. A total of 10 year-classes were present, and ranged from 1-10 years. There are good numbers of Northern Pike below 30", providing a good fishing opportunity. Yellow Perch gill net catch rate was 10.6 fish per net, which was above average for similar lakes. Length ranged from 5.0 to 9.7 inches, with an average of 7.1 inches. Average weight was 0.2 pounds, which was below average for similar lakes. Yellow Perch can offer an additional fishing opportunity, but also offers great forage for Walleye and Northern Pike.

Myrtle Lake is an 876 acre fishery that is accessed about 8 miles east of the town of Orr, Minnesota. Myrtle has a maximum depth of 20 feet, and about 98% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. There is a public access on the east end of the lake with a concrete ramp and gravel lot. Myrtle Lake supports a fairly diverse fishery with populations of several species of gamefish that could be of interest to anglers. A standard fish survey was completed on Myrtle in 2017 as part of a normal rotation of investigational surveys. Black Crappie catch rates during the 2017 survey were at a record high for Myrtle Lake, which has a long history of lake surveys dating back to at least 1951. There was an abundance of young fish caught in shallow trap nets, where the average size was about 7 inches. Larger fish were sampled in the deeper set gill nets, where they averaged just over 8 inches. While the 8 to 9 inch fish made up the bulk of what anglers could expect to encounter, there were larger Black Crappie up to 13 inches in the sample. Bluegill catch rates were also near record highs for Myrtle Lake. Similar to the Black Crappie population in Myrtle, there are good numbers of small to medium sized Bluegill in the lake. However, there are still some large fish present. Bluegill up to 8.5 inches were caught in trap nets, and gill nets sampled some up to 9.4 inches. Bass are most effectively sampled with electrofishing equipment, which was used to catch both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in Myrtle for the 2017 survey. Smallmouth made up the majority of the bass catch in 2017, with an average size of about 13 inches and fish up to nearly 20 inches in the sample. Very few Largemouth Bass were caught during the survey. Northern Pike are abundant in Myrtle Lake, and the average size is larger than what is typically expected from similar lakes. The average Northern Pike sampled during the 2017 survey was about 3.4 pounds. Catch rates during the 2017 survey were almost exactly equal to the historical average for Myrtle. Walleye catch rates were down in 2017, and less than what would be expected for similar lakes. The average size is fairly large at nearly 19 inches, and growth is faster than most other International Falls area lakes. Fingerlings have been stocked in Myrtle Lake in odd numbered years, and 84% of the Walleye sampled in 2017 were from those year classes, indicating that natural reproduction is probably not contributing much to the total population. Yellow Perch catch rates in 2017 were the highest recorded in Myrtle since 1951. The abundant population should provide good forage for predators, and the presence of a few larger fish up to nearly 10 inches can provide some harvest opportunities for anglers. Other fish sampled during the 2017 survey included Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tadpole Madtom, and White Sucker.

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

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

Myrtle has a maximum depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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