Dark

Dark Lake is a 232-acre lake located 7 miles north of Buhl, MN, within the Little Fork River watershed. A public access is located on the west shore of the northern basin. The lake has a maximum depth of 31 feet and 59 percent of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Water chemistry analysis shows the lake has hard water and low fertility indicating the lake has a limited capacity to support a lot of fish. The lakes water is brown resulting in visibility to only five feet. The depth of water at which oxygen levels become insufficient for fish to be present, occurs around ten feet in the summer. The Dark River inlet is located on the east side of the southern basin and originates from an iron mining tailing basin. The Dark River outlet is located on the west side of the southern basin and ultimately flows into the Sturgeon River. Beaver dams are common on the Dark River resulting in seasonal restrictions to fish migration. The 2016 survey was the ninth survey of the Dark Lake fish community since 1955. Surveys are conducted to monitor the fish population for changes in abundance, size distribution, and growth. The 2016 survey will also be used to evaluate the Walleye stocking plan when revising the Management Plan in 2017. Walleye fingerlings are have been stocked at a rate of 1 pound/littoral acre (138 pounds; acres of water less than 15 feet) in even years from 2006 to 2016. The 2007 management plan listed Northern Pike and Walleye as primary management species and Black Crappie as a secondary management species. In 2016, Walleye catch rates remained below the long range goal for the third consecutive survey, while Northern Pike catch rates exceeded the long range goal for the fourth consecutive survey. Low Walleye number reflects limited natural production and low survival of stocked fish. Higher Northern Pike numbers have been observed across north-central Minnesota in recent decades and are attributed primarily to high harvest of medium and large pike. The gill net catch rate of Northern Pike in 2016 was the second highest observed, and exceeded catch rates for lakes with similar habitat. Lengths in 2016 ranged from 13 to 29 inches, with 69% of pike measuring less than 21 inches. The number of pike 21 inches or greater was the lowest observed since 1985. Ages in 2016 ranged from 2 to 6, with three year old fish being the most numerous (31%). Growth was below the statewide average for all ages, resulting in Northern Pike taking five years to exceed 21 inches. In general, the population is relatively high in number, has poor size distribution, and slow growth rates. The electrofishing catch rate of Largemouth Bass in 2016 was similar to the catch rate in 2006, the first year bass were targeted in fish community surveys. Overall, catch rates in both surveys were below average when compared with other lakes within the Grand Rapids Fisheries Management Area. Lengths in 2016 ranged from 9-19 inches with 17 inch fish being the most frequently sampled (40%). No individuals exceeded 20 inches in either survey. Ages in 2016 ranged from 3 to 11, with eight year old fish being the most numerous (48%). Growth was below the statewide average for almost all ages, resulting in Largemouth Bass taking five years to exceed 12 inches. In general, the population is low in number, has average to good size distribution, and slow growth rates. The trap net catch rate of Bluegill in 2016 was below average for the lake and for lakes with similar habitat. Lengths in 2016 ranged from 5 to 10 inches, with 61% of fish measuring 8+ inches. Ages in 2016 ranged from 5 to 14, with eleven year old fish being the most frequently sampled (26%). Growth for all ages was below average for lakes with similar habitat, resulting in Bluegill taking seven years to exceed 6 inches. In general, the population is low in number, has good size distribution, and slow growth rates. Harvest limited to individuals less than 8 inches is recommended. The trap net catch rate of Black Crappie in 2016 was above average for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. Lengths in 2016 ranged from 3 to 11 inches; however, 77% were less than five inches. No fish 12+ inches have been sampled in any survey. Growth for all ages was below average for lakes with similar habitat, resulting in Black Crappie taking six years to exceed 8 inches. In general, the population is moderate in number, has a limited number of harvestable sized fish, and slow growth rates. The gill net catch rate of Walleye in 2016 was below average for the lake and for lakes with similar habitat. Only two Walleye were sampled in 2016, which included a 12 and 18 inch fish. The two individuals sampled in 2016 were 3 and 7 years old and both from non-stocked years. Growth was below the statewide average for both fish, resulting in Walleye taking six years to exceed 15 inches. Despite fingerling stocking in even years since 2006, Walleye number remains low likely due to low perch number, hard water, and low lake fertility. In general, the population is low in number, has slow growth rates, and stocking did not contribute to catch rates. The gill net catch rate of Yellow Perch in 2016 was below average for the lake and for lakes with similar habitat. Lengths in 2016 ranged from 5 to 6 inches, and only one fish 8 inches or greater has been sampled in all surveys since 1955, indicating consistently poor size structure and survival to harvestable sizes. Growth was below the statewide average for all ages. Low Yellow Perch abundance likely limits abundance of Walleye and other gamefish. In general, the population is low in number, has a very limited number of harvestable sized fish, and slow growth rates. Other fish sampled in 2016 included: Pumpkinseed sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, and White Sucker. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Dark Lake is a 232-acre lake located 9 miles north of Buhl, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 31 ft and a littoral area of 138 acres. Dark Lake is in lake class 11 and has a public access on the west shore of the north basin. Water chemistry analysis indicated hard water with an alkalinity of 199 ppm, and low fertility with a total phosphorous of 0.02 ppm. Walleye gill-net catch was 1.0/net and was similar to the lower end of the expected range. Gill net catch rates have historically been low and varied from 0 to 2.7/net. Sample size was too low to calculate size structure indices in 2006, but size structure was good with fish varying from 17 to 21 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 18 inches by age six. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked every other year since 2000. Despite regular stocking, the walleye population remains low, suggesting that walleye stocking is not making a noticeable contribution to the walleye fishery. The northern pike gill net catch was 3.0/net, which equaled the average for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 2.2 to 6.4/gill net. Size structure was moderate with most fish between 17 and 26 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average for fish ages 1 to 3, and faster than the average for fish ages 4 to 6. Northern pike averaged 30 inches by age six. Northern pike may be growing faster once they are able to switch prey from a small population of yellow perch to larger, more abundant white suckers. The black crappie gill net catch was good with a catch rate of 4.0/gill net, which was within the range of expected values for similar lakes. The trap net catch was 1.2/net, which was similar to the lower end of the range for similar lakes. The high gill net catch was due to a large number of 4-inch black crappie sampled in the north basin. Catch rates in past assessments varied from 0.2 to 8.0 fish/net for gill nets and 0.7 to 7.0 fish/net for trap nets. Sample size was too low to calculate size structure indices, however, most fish were around 4 inches with a few larger fish up to 10 inches sampled. Growth was slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 8 inches by age five. The bluegill trap net catch was 5.9/net and was similar to the average for similar lakes. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 1.6 to 9.4/trap net. Size structure was poor with no fish sampled greater than 8 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 6.8 inches at age seven. Yellow perch gill net catch was 2.3/net, which was similar to the lower end of the expected range. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 2.3 to 21.2/gill net. Size structure was poor with no fish larger than 6.5 inches sampled. Growth was similar to the statewide average. Other fish sampled include: rock bass, white sucker, pumpkinseed sunfish, Johnny darter, bluntnose minnow, common shiner, golden shiner, spottail shiner, and tadpole madtom. The 2006 assessment was a full survey, which included vegetation sampling, and substrate and spawning area descriptions. Vegetation sampling described the abundance of 54 different aquatic and riparian plant species. Substrate was primarily sand with lesser amounts of boulder, rubble, gravel, and muck. Spawning habitat was rated fair for walleye and good for black crappie, northern pike, bluegill and largemouth bass.

Dark Lake is a bog stained lake, with low productivity, located seven miles north of Buhl, Minnesota. The U.S. Forest Service has a concrete public access on the west side of the north basin. The lake management plan indicates walleye and northern pike as the primary species of management with bluegill and black crappie as secondary species.Walleye have been stocked on a fairly regular basis for the last twenty years. The management goal established in 1995 was not attained in 1999. As a result, the future management plan will establish a stocking regime to try and improve the walleye population. However, the lake will never have a large population because there is little natural reproduction and the lake is not very fertile.The management goal for northern pike numbers was reached in the 1999 assessment. The moderate population level allows the fish to experience good growth and attain a quality size. Fish were sampled from 17.9 to 40.2 inches, and they averaged 23.5 inches. Nearly 15 percent of the fish sampled were 30 inches or longer. It took approximately 11 years of growth for the largest fish to reach 40 inches. Fisheries capable of producing even just a few trophy northern pike are very susceptible to over-harvest. Anglers can help maintain a quality fishery by voluntarily keeping a few smaller fish and releasing the large fish. The panfish populations were in pretty good shape. Although bluegill and black crappie numbers were somewhat low, historically the lake has produced some nice fish. In 1999, we sampled bluegill from 3.2 to 9.6 inches, and they averaged 6.3 inches. Black crappie ranged from 4.3 to 8.7 inches and averaged 5.4 inches. To promote and maintain healthy fish populations, water quality must be protected. Fish habitat is directly affected by water quality. Nutrients, sediments and other waste can drastically alter the chemical and physical characteristics of a lake. People often associate water quality problems in a lake with agricultural, forestry or industrial practices within the watershed. Although these can be areas of concern, lakeshore property owners also contribute to water quality problems. Some examples include putting in sand beaches, removing shoreline trees and vegetation, fertilizing lawns, and mowing their lawns down to the lakeshore. Improved land use practices by everyone should insure that this fishery can be enjoyed by future generations.

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

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

Dark has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Dark is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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