Janette

Janette Lake is a shallow lake located nine miles northeast of Goodland, MN. It has soft, moderately fertile water with poor clarity because of the bog stain. The 2020 lake management plan (LMP) listed Black Crappie and Bluegill as a primary management species, with Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye as a secondary management species. The goal was to maintain a Walleye catch above 2.0 fish/gill net through stocking. A targeted survey using 6 gill nets was conducted in August 2024 to evaluate Walleye management. Black Crappie catches have been moderate in most surveys including 2024. The catch of 5.3/gill net was the third highest since 1960. Sampled crappie ranged from 4.8 to 9.5 inches and averaged 6.5 inches. Quality Black Crappie angling opportunities exist when strong year-classes reach a size anglers desire. The Bluegill population can be characterized as having low numbers of moderate sized fish. Gill nets are not the primary sampling gear for monitoring Bluegill populations but can provide useful size information. Twenty Bluegill were sampled that ranged from 3.9 to 9.2 inches and averaged 5.4 inches. Janette Lake likely provides decent Bluegill fishing opportunities at times. Largemouth Bass are most effectively sampled by spring electrofishing. A 2013 electrofishing sample suggested bass may be common but of poor size. Only one bass was sampled in the gill nets in 2024. Northern Pike catches have often been higher in Janette Lake compared to other lakes with similar habitat. Pike were sampled at a rate of 6.7/gill net in 2024. Northern Pike ranged from 14.7 to 27.4 inches and averaged 19.3 inches. Few fish over 28 inches have ever been sampled. Janette Lake is known for having higher numbers of smaller pike and these population attributes are not desirable because they result in slow growth. Anglers and spearers are encouraged to keep fish under 22 inches and not harvest fish over 26 inches to improve size structure. Janette Lake does not have habitat normally associated with quality Walleye populations. The Walleye fishery was created by stocking and consistently has lower catches than similar lakes. The catch of 1.3/gill net failed to meet the management goal of 2.0/gill net. The 2024 survey evaluated a period of every other year fingerling stocking (1 pound/littoral acre), except for 2020 due to COVID. The sampled fish ranged from 17.5 to 21.7 inches and averaged 18.8 inches. Of the four fish aged, three were 8 years old and one was 14. Sample sizes were too low to evaluate growth. Recent survey data suggests Walleye are poorly suited for Janette Lake. Yellow Perch catches have been low in all but one survey. No perch were sampled in 2013, 2019, and only one in 2024. The lack of Yellow Perch likely contributes to the challenge in creating a modest Walleye fishery since they are often an important prey species. Other species sampled included Black and Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

Janette Lake is located about 9 miles northeast of Goodland, MN. Janette Lake is 137 acres and has a maximum depth of 23 feet. The lake has soft water and moderate fertility, which limits fish production. Water clarity is limited because the lake is bog stained. Fisheries management has primarily consisted of occasional surveys and Walleye stocking. The Lake Management Plan (LMP) was last revised in 2014. Walleye and Black Crappie were the primary management species due to their popularity with anglers and Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass were secondary species because they are naturally well suited for the lake. Goals of the LMP were to increase the Walleye gill net catch to 4.0/net by fingerling stocking. A standard survey was conducted in August of 2019 to evaluate the effectiveness of Walleye stocking and to determine the status of the fishery. This survey consisted of 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets. Northern Pike were the most common fish in the gill nets. The catch was typical for Janette Lake and within the expected range for lakes with similar habitats. The two previous surveys resulted in higher pike catches. The reduced catch rate is desirable because high numbers of pike often result in poor size quality and can negatively impact management of other species. Past surveys suggest poor size quality, with few fish exceeding 28 inches. The 2019 survey also documented poor size quality, as pike ranged from 14 to 21 inches and averaged only 18 inches. Poor size quality may limit the popularity of the pike fishery. Only three year classes were observed (ages 2-4), suggesting inconsistent survival of young pike or high adult mortality, which is often caused by human harvest. Growth was average, as fish grew to over 19 inches in 4 years. Walleye have typically occurred in low numbers in Janette Lake, but were the second most common fish in the gill nets in 2019. The gill net catch was within the typical range for similar lakes and above average for Janette Lake. Walleye size distribution was favorable, as fish ranged from 12.4 to 21.9 inches and averaged 16.7 inches. Eight year classes were observed, with fish up to 11 years old. Most fish were associated with stocked year classes, indicating poor natural reproduction. Growth was near the statewide average, as fish exceeded 14 inches by age 4. Janette Lake is expected to continue to produce a modest Walleye fishery through stocking, but the population is unlikely to increase. Conditions are relatively poor for Walleye due to a lack of Yellow Perch, modest fertility, and small lake size. Black Crappies have been present in moderate numbers in most assessments, but were lower than expected in 2019. Inconsistent year class production is a common trait in crappie populations resulting in boom and bust angling cycles. Too few crappie were captured to characterize size quality. The Bluegill catch was relatively low but within the expected range for the lake class. The previous survey described a population with a high quality size structure. Size structure remained favorable in 2019, as 35% of the sampled fish exceeded 8 inches. Lengths ranged from 2.6 to 9.1 inches with an average length of 7.0 inches. Anglers can help maintain size quality by releasing sunfish over 8 inches. Other species sampled included Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Janette Lake is located about 9 miles northeast of Goodland, MN. The lake is in ecological lake class #13 and located in the St. Louis River Watershed. Janette Lake is 137 acres, has a littoral area of 119 acres (87%) and a maximum depth of 23 feet. The lake has soft water and moderate fertility. The Lake Management Plan (LMP) was last revised in 2004. Walleye and black crappie were the primary management species and northern pike and largemouth bass were secondary species. A resurvey was conducted in 2013 to collect detailed information about Janette Lake, determine the status of the fish community, and evaluate the usefulness of fingerling stocking. The assessment included spring electrofishing for largemouth bass. Northern pike were the most common fish in the gill net sample. The catch rate was the highest recorded for Janette Lake, but similar to lakes with similar habitats. Size structure was poor, as pike ranged from 15.8 to 22.2 inches. Pike averaged 16.0 inches. Age analysis of bony structures identified three year classes (1-3). Northern pike populations are often dominated by age 2-5 pike, and age distribution from Janette was unusual. The lack of older, larger pike may indicate poor past recruitment, high adult mortality, or a combination of both. Growth was near the statewide average, as pike typically attained 18 inches by age 3. Poor size structure likely limits the popularity of the pike fishery. Walleye were the second most common fish in the gill net sample. The catch rate was within the typical compared to similar lakes, but was above average for Janette Lake. Length ranged from 7.8 to 20.6 inches and walleye averaged 15.8 inches. Age analysis identified four year classes (ages 1-3 and age 5). All but one walleye corresponded to a stocked year. Growth was near the statewide average with walleye typically attaining 17 inches by age 5. Black crappies were caught in low numbers by trap nets, but the gill net catch was typical for the lake type. Summer trap netting may be a poor indicator of crappie abundance in Janette Lake. The size structure was poor, as few crappies exceeded 8 inches. Black crappie populations often exhibit irregular recruitment resulting in dominant year classes, shifting age and size structures, and inconsistent angler success. Six year classes were identified and recruitment was inconsistent as most fish belonged to the 2010 and 2011 year classes. Growth was near the statewide average with crappie exceeding 8 inches by age 4 and 10 inches by age 6. Good crappie fishing may periodically exist. The bluegill catch was typical compared to similar lakes, but below average for Janette Lake. Size structure was moderate. Lengths ranged from 3.2 to 8.7 inches with an average length of 6.7 inches. Nine year classes were identified and recruitment appeared consistent. Growth was near the lake class average with bluegill exceeding 6 inches by age 5. Largemouth bass were captured by electrofishing in early June. The catch rate suggests that bass are common in Janette Lake. Size structure was moderate, as largemouth bass ranged from 7.5 to 16.9 inches and bass averaged 13.6 inches. Growth was near the statewide average as bass typically exceeded 12 inches by age 5. Janette Lake should produce good bass fishing opportunities. Other species captured included hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, and yellow bullhead. It should be noted that yellow perch were present in past samples but were not captured in 2013. Janette Lake is not known to support invasive species. 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.

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

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

Janette has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Janette is from 2024.

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