Fuller

Fuller Lake is located one mile northwest of Clearwater. It is small, 35 acres, and relatively deep, 28 feet, but subject to winter kill. Although Fuller Lake has no public access, it is of interest because of its location and status as a natural environment lake. This was the first survey since the initial lake survey in 1983. Species composition was about the same as in 1983. The predominant species were northern pike, black bullhead, green, hybrid and pumpkinseed sunfish. No largemouth bass were sampled by the first electrofishing survey on Fuller Lake, conducted in daylight in mid-May. No largemouth were captured during the 1983 survey either, which was very unusual for the Montrose Area. Two gill nets were set and the catch of northern pike was 10/net. Only one northern pike was taken in two sets in 1983. Northern pike ranged from 22 to 28 inches, with an average length of 25 inches. Average weight was almost four pounds. Fuller Lake should provide good angling for larger northern pike. In the absence of bluegill, hybrid sunfish were the most abundant sunfish representative (35.4/trap). Average length was only five inches, but six individuals were greater than nine inches; and some weighed close to a pound. Black bullheads were more abundant in gill nets than trap nets and less abundant overall than in 1983. There was little difference in average length between gill nets (6.1 inches) and trap nets (6.3 inches). The aquatic plant community was diverse and species such as bushy pondweed, common bladderwort, white water lily, and muskgrass were widespread and abundant. No curly leaf pondweed was observed during a mid-June surface survey. However, even in early June dissolved oxygen was present only to 10 feet. Loons had successfully nested by June.

Only one Northern Pike was captured, and that fish appeared to have average growth. Fuller Lake has high numbers of Bluegills (202.0/trap net). Ten times the local median catch rate. Growth rates are generally slow but near average for the 6 year old fish. Pumpkinseeds are also extremely abundant at 34.0/ trap net. Black Bullheads numbers are high (109.0/ trap net), fish averaged 4.5 inches long, and are thin and in poor condition.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed in Fuller. 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 Fuller. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Fuller has a maximum depth of 28 feet and a mean depth of 7.7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Fuller is from 2008. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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