Mitchell

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted on June 19, 2019 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations 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 all 10 stations. A 15-foot seine was used to sample 4 stations and a 50-foot seine was used to sample 6 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 13 native fish species including two intolerant species (Blacknose Shiner and Iowa Darter) and one species (Green Sunfish) that is tolerant of disturbance. Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from standard gill and trap netting surveys to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) score that describes the overall health of the lake. 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. 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. The FIBI score for Mitchell Lake based on this survey is near the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. 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.

Mitchell Lake is a 170 acre lake located in Sherburne County within the city limits of Big Lake. It is connected to Big Lake via a navigable channel. Mitchell Lake has a maximum depth of 33 feet and a small watershed primarily composed of development, open water, and row crops. A city owned public access is located at the southwest corner of Big Lake near Highway 10. Mitchell Lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike and was last surveyed in 2004. Anglers can expect good fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. A few small stands of waterlilies were the only emergent or floating leaf vegetation found in the current survey. Submerged vegetation was widespread, but not surveyed. Chara, Curly leaf pondweed, Coontail, and Bushy pondweed were the dominant submerged species in 2004. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was 11.0 feet in early August, similar to 2004 (10.5 feet). Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish down to 18 feet in early August. Northern Pike numbers were lower than 2004, but still within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Pike size improved since the last survey; only 7% were 24 inches or longer in 2004, compared to 24% in 2017. Lengths ranged from 10.9 to 31.8 inches with an average length and weight of 20.0 inches and 2.2 pounds. Largemouth Bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing on May 19. The catch rate of 59/hour was above the Sauk Rapids area daytime average of 43/hour. Lengths ranged from 5.7 to 19.6 inches with an average length of 13.7 inches. Of catchable size fish (>8 inches), 42% were 15 inches or longer, an improvement from 2004 when only 11% were 15 inches or longer. Walleye were stocked intermittently through 1997, but were not stocked between 1997 and 2014. Since 2014, fingerling or larger Walleye have been stocked annually by either the DNR or the lake association. Walleye numbers were higher than 2004, but within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 8.9 to 22.8 inches with an average length and weight of 16.3 inches and 1.5 pounds. Walleye were either three or four years old and growth was fast, reaching 16 inches in three years. Bluegill numbers in 2017 were lower than 2004, but within the expected range of values for lakes similar to Mitchell. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.0 to 9.4 inches with an average length of 5.2 inches. Targeted sampling using trap nets was conducted in late May and early June (during spawning time) to better assess Bluegill numbers and size. The Bluegill catch rate was higher than the standard survey and Bluegill were larger. Two percent of Bluegill were eight inches or longer in the targeted survey, compared to less than one percent in the standard survey. The Black Crappie catch was low, similar to results in 2004. Lengths ranged from 5.7 to 12.0 inches with an average length of 8.5 inches. A targeted survey near shore around spawning time is recommended to better assess Black Crappie abundance and size. Yellow Perch numbers were very low in 2017 and have been low since 1983. High Northern Pike numbers likely limit Yellow Perch abundance. Only 11 Yellow Perch were caught in 2017 and ranged in length from 5.7 to 8.6 inches with an average length of 6.5 inches. Other species sampled included: Bowfin (dogfish), Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead. Surprisingly, Black Bullheads were caught in average numbers in 2004, but none were found in 2017. However, Yellow Bullhead numbers increased substantially.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff starting June 20, 2017. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sites. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine sites and soft sediments with abundant vegetation prevented the use of seines at one sampling site. Nearshore sampling captured 14 native species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (Blacknose Shiner and Iowa Darter) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2017 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (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. 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. The FIBI score for Mitchell Lake from this survey is below an impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. 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 - Saint Cloud Watershed assessment of surface waters process completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Mitchell. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Mitchell has a maximum depth of 33 feet and a mean depth of 13.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mitchell is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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