Perch

Perch Lake is located about 13 miles northwest of Chisholm, MN near and the Sturgeon chain of lakes. The 339 acre lake has 170 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 30 feet, with no inlets or outlets. The lake is heavily developed along the 3.3 mile shoreline. There is a DNR administered concrete boat access on the west side with parking available for about three rigs. The lake management plan was last updated in 2007. Walleye and Northern Pike are primary management species while Smallmouth Bass and Black Crappie are considered secondary management species. The 2016 assessment is one of seven summer assessments conducted since 1973, assessing the fish community, success of Walleye stocking, and the contribution from natural reproduction to the Walleye population. Pike River strain Walleye fingerlings have been stocked one in three years at a rate of one pound per littoral acre (170 pounds) since 2005. Perch Lake supports a modest Walleye fishery maintained by limited natural reproduction and fingerling stocking. Walleye catches were about average compared to similar lakes. The catch was similar to previous assessments, although slightly lower than management goals. Lengths ranged from 11.1 to 23.4 inches with an average length of 19.2 inches. Analysis of ageing structures suggests ages 2, 4-8, 10 and 11 were present. Most of the aged fish correlate to stocked years (64%). Occasional fingerling stocking appears to contribute, however increased stocking would not likely increase the walleye population due to low lake productivity and fish community limitations that include high Northern Pike and poor Yellow Perch numbers. Growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages by age 2, and similar to what was observed in previous assessments. Walleye averaged 16.3 inches by age 5. Northern Pike populations typically exhibit poor growth when occurring at high densities. Northern Pike were sampled at a historically high rate in 2016, nearly double what would be expected for similar lakes. The catch was over double the management goal while the mean weight decreased. Lengths ranged from 14.6 to 33.2 inches and an average length of 20.3 inches. Scale and bone analysis identified ages 2-5, and 7 present. Age 3 was the most frequently sampled (45%), though ages 2 and 4 were also strong. Growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages and the last assessment. Northern Pike averaged 22.6 inches by age 4. Examination identified Neascus (parasitic black spot) on 12% of the sample (n=5). Anglers can help improve size structure by releasing pike over 22 inches. Black Crappie catches were about average compared to similar lakes, although lower than the previous survey. The 10 fish sampled with gill nets had lengths from 4.2 to 10.7 inches. Scale analysis identified ages 2-5, and 7 present. Growth was similar to the statewide averages for all ages and the previous assessment. Black Crappie averaged 9.0 inches by age 5. Electrofishing sampled Smallmouth Bass at the lowest rate since first being sampled in 1997 while Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate nearly double the previous assessment. A quality size structure for both exists, providing good angler opportunities. Bluegill were sampled for the first time in 2016. The numbers were low but the fish had better than average size structure. Age and growth were not assessed. Other species sampled included Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Yellow Perch, and White Sucker.

Perch Lake is in lake class 5 and is located 13 miles northwest of Chisholm, MN in the Little Fork River watershed. The gill-net catch rate for walleye increased from 1.7/net in 1997 to 3.7/net in 2006. This is the highest catch rate for walleye in Perch Lake since the initial survey in 1955. Most walleye sampled in 2006 corresponded to years of fingerling stocking. Gill-net sampled walleye ranged from 7.6 to 21.9 inches, with an average length of 15.8 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average. The northern pike gill-net catch rate increased from 5.2/net in 1997 to 6.9/net in 2006. Gill-net sampled pike ranged from 16.3 to 28.9 inches with an average length of 24.2 inches. Average weight of pike was good at 3.0 pounds. Smallmouth bass were first sampled in Perch Lake in 1997, with a gill-net catch rate of 2.3/net. The gill-net catch rate remained above the normal range (2.0/net) in 2006 with a catch rate of 3.3/net. Gill-net sampled smallmouth ranged from 13.2 to 18.5 inches, with an average length of 16.9 inches. Fish in the gill-net sample appeared to be mainly from the 1997 year class. Smallmouth bass were also captured in the spring night electrofishing assessment at a relatively low catch rate of 8.2/hour of on-time. Smallmouth from electrofishing had an average length of 13.9 inches. Smallmouth from both gears had growth rates similar to the statewide average. Largemouth bass were also captured in the electrofishing assessment, at a catch rate of 18.7/hour of on-time. Sampled largemouth ranged from 4.4 to 16.3 inches, with an average length of 10.3 inches. Growth of largemouth bass was similar to the statewide average. Gill-net and trap-net catch rates for black crappie were both above their respective normal ranges, at 5.1 and 8.0/net, respectively. Trap-net sampled crappie ranged from 3.7 to 12.5 inches, with an average length of 7.1 inches. Crappie from gill nets had a similar size structure. Crappie ages 3 and 4 made up 90.6% of the trap-net sample, and growth was similar to the statewide average. The gill-net catch rate for yellow perch dropped to 1.4/net, below the lake class normal range and the lowest on record for Perch Lake. The increased abundance of predators (walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass) since the last assessment is likely responsible for the decline in yellow perch numbers. In contrast, the record high catch rate for yellow perch (54.2/net) occurred in 1978, at a time when walleye and northern pike catch rates were near or at record lows. The gill-net catch rate for white sucker was within the normal range at 6.1/net, while trap-net catch rate was above the normal range at 8.4/net. Other species sampled included golden shiner and pumpkinseed sunfish.

Perch Lake is primarily a smallmouth bass/northern pike lake. Walleye had been stocked in the lake, as recently as 1990. The northern pike gill net catch rate (5.2/set) was within the expected range for this type of lake. The mean length of sampled pike was 22.7 inches, ranging in length from 15.2 to 38.2 inches. The mean weight was 2.2 pounds. Growth rates for sampled pike were near the statewide mean for ages 1-6. The smallmouth bass gill net catch rate (2.3/set) exceeded the expected range. Lengths ranged from 10.3 to 16.9 inches, with a mean length of 13.9 inches. Smallmouth bass are a relatively new introduction from an unknown source. Black crappie were sampled in trap nets at a catch rate (0.4/set) below the expected range. Lengths ranged from 6.5 to 10.9 inches. Gill net sampled crappie also had a catch rate (0.3/set) below the expected range. These crappie had a range in length from 9.8 to 11.6 inches, with growth rates near the statewide mean for ages 1-4. The walleye gill net catch rate (1.7/set) exceeded the expected range. Mean length of sampled walleye was 18.9 inches, ranging in length from 14.2 to 25.6 inches. Growth rates for sampled walleye exceeded (>115%) the statewide mean for ages 1-2, and were near the statewide mean for ages 3-6. The gill net catch rate for perch (3.0/set) was within the expected range, but considerably less than past assessments. Other species sampled in test nets include: pumpkinseed sunfish, and white sucker.

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

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

Perch has a maximum depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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