Eagle

A targeted survey of nearshore and littoral fish species in Eagle Lake was conducted beginning on June 17th, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations and a 15-foot seine was used at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter), and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 24th, 2020 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River-St. Cloud Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Eagle Lake is a 463 acre, highly developed recreational lake located three (3) miles north of Big Lake. The lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet with relatively poor water quality and has been plagued with Common Carp problems for decades. There is one (1) public access located on the northwest side of the lake off County Road 75. A lake survey was completed August 24 - 28, 2020 to update fisheries data last collected in 2012 and included summer gill netting and trap netting. A floating leaf and emergent vegetation survey was completed in September. Emergent vegetation covered less than 1% of the lake area with cattail and waterlily as the main species present. Submerged vegetation was surveyed in 2012 and plants grew to a depth of seven (7) feet. Bushy pondweed and coontail were the only plants rated as common. Spring electrofishing is the preferred sampling method to assess Largemouth Bass populations; however Largemouth Bass sampling was not conducted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Largemouth Bass were last surveyed by day-time electrofishing in 2012 with a catch rate (53/hr) similar to the day-time average (54/hr) for lakes within the Sauk Rapids area. Sixty-two Largemouth Bass were sampled in 2012 and ranged in length from six (6) to 20 inches with an average length of 12 inches. Fifty-seven percent of the bass sampled were 12 inches or longer and 22% were 15 inches or longer. Walleye fry were stocked by the DNR multiple times between 1971 and 1991, but due to limited success, stocking was discontinued. The Lake Association began stocking Walleye in 2000 and has stocked fingerlings regularly ever since, most recently in 2017. The Walleye catch in 2020 was lower than 2012, but still within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Thirteen Walleye were captured and ranged in length from 17 to 27 inches with an average length and weight of 20 inches and three (3) pounds. All Walleye sampled were longer than 15 inches and 38% were longer than 20 inches. Walleye growth is fast, taking three (3) years to reach 17 inches. Relatively low Northern Pike abundance offer anglers an opportunity to catch quality-sized pike. However, anglers are encouraged to harvest small pike (26 inches) to help protect the size structure. The Northern Pike catch in 2020 was lower than 2012, but still within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Pike sampled ranged in length from 18 to 32 inches with an average length and weight of 24 inches and three (3) pounds. Thirty-six pike were sampled and 25% were longer than 26 inches and 8% were longer than 30 inches. Anglers have the opportunity for good crappie action in Eagle Lake. Although the catch in 2020 was lower than 2015, Black Crappie abundance was still high for the lake. Three hundred-one Black Crappie were sampled and ranged in length from four (4) to 10 inches with an average length of eight (8) inches. Eighty-five percent of the crappies sampled were longer than eight (8) inches, but only 1% were longer than 10 inches. Bluegill abundance in Eagle Lake is average, but a few quality size Bluegill are present. The Bluegill catch in 2020 was higher than 2012 and the highest on record, but still within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Five hundred thirty-one Bluegill were sampled and ranged in length from three (3) to nine (9) inches with an average length of seven (7) inches. Eighty-seven percent of the Bluegill sampled were longer than six (6) inches, but less than 1% were longer than eight (8) inches. Yellow Perch catches were high from 1982-1993, but have decreased significantly since then. Only 28 Yellow Perch were caught in 2020 and none were caught in 2012. Yellow Perch ranged in length from three (3) to nine (9) inches and averaged seven (7) inches. The Yellow Bullhead catch in 2020 was much higher than 2012 and was the highest on record. Prior to 2020, Yellow Bullhead had been sampled in low numbers. With the boom in Yellow Bullhead abundance, anglers have the opportunity to harvest good-sized Yellow Bullhead if they choose. Yellow Bullhead ranged in length from six (6) to 15 inches with an average length and weight of 12 inches and one (1) pound. Other species sampled include: Black and Brown Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

Eagle Lake is a 463 acre recreational development lake located 3 miles north of the City of Big Lake. The lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet and was designated as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil in 2005. Twenty one species of aquatic plants were identified with submersed plants growing to a maximum depth of seven feet. Curly-leaf pondweed grew at or near the surface on 5.8% of the surface area. The lake is primarily managed for largemouth bass and the DNR has not stocked walleye since 1991; however the lake association has stocked walleye fingerlings since 2000 and annually since 2007. There is one public access located on the NW side of the lake off of CR 75. The catch of northern pike was significantly higher than in 2002, but within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Northern pike sampled during the survey ranged from 16 to 32 inches with an average length and weight of 23 inches and 2.9 pounds. Growth of northern pike was similar to the statewide average with northern pike reaching 23 inches by age 5. Walleye fry were stocked by the DNR multiple times between 1971 and 1991, but due to limited success stocking was discontinued after 1991. The Eagle Lake Association began stocking walleye fingerlings in 2000 and since 2007 have stocked walleye fingerlings annually. The catch rate of walleye was higher than 2002, but within the ranged of expected values for similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 8 to 25 inches with an average length and weight of 17 inches and 1.9 pounds. Growth of walleye was fast with walleye reaching 16 inches by age 4. Largemouth bass were sampled during daytime electrofishing on May 2, 2012. A total of 62 largemouth bass were captured in 1.2 hours for a catch rate of 53/hour. This was higher than the median catch rate for daytime electrofishing in the Montrose area (37.8/hr). Largemouth bass ranged in length from 6 to 19.5 inches with an average length and weight of 12 inches and 1.1 pounds. Growth of largemouth bass was average, reaching 12 inches by age 4. The trap net catch of black crappie was below expected values for similar lakes; however, the gill net catch was over 2.5 times higher than expected values for similar lakes. Black crappie collected ranged in length from 4 to 10 inches with an average length and weight of 8 inches and 0.3 pounds. Growth of black crappie was slow, reaching 8 inches in 5 years. Bluegill catch (12.7/trap net) was higher than in 2002 (4.8/trap net), but within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Bluegill ranged in length from 2 to 7 inches, with an average length of 5 inches. Growth of bluegill was slow with bluegill reaching 7 inches in 6 years. Other species sampled during the survey included: black, brown and yellow bullhead, banded killifish, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, bowfin (dogfish), brook silverside, common carp, fathead minnow, green, hybrid, and pumpkinseed sunfish, Johnny darter, Iowa darter, tadpole madtom, yellow perch, and white sucker.

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

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

Eagle has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 10.7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Eagle is from 2020.

Yes — Eagle has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.