Marie

A survey of nearshore fish species was conducted on Marie Lake from July 8 - 11, 2019 by Sauk Rapids Area staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the shoreline and each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining, except one site where dense vegetation prevented seining. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish, including one species that is intolerant of poor water quality or habitat disturbance (Iowa Darter). Data from the nearshore fish survey were combined with gill net and trap net data from a June 2019 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. A FIBI uses fish community data as a measurement of lake health. The FIBI score for Marie Lake was 64 which was well above the impairment threshold (FIBI > 36) using Tool 7. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. Marie Lake is located in the Mississippi River - St. Cloud Watershed.

Lake Marie is a 147-acre lake located along the border of Wright and Stearns Counties, two miles northwest of the city of South Haven. The Stearns County Parks Department owns a public access on the northeast side of the lake. Lake Marie and connecting Lake Louisa are reservoir lakes within the Clearwater River and were formed by a dam on the outlet of Lake Marie. The Marie Lake watershed is 60,025 acres with land use consisting of 60% agriculture, 13% hay/pasture, 11% forest, 10% marsh/open water, and 6% residential. In 2019, Secchi readings ranged from 1.6 to 6 feet between June and August. Adequate dissolved oxygen was sampled to a depth of 14 feet. It has a moderate diversity of aquatic plants growing in sparse beds around the lake with floating leaf and emergent vegetation covering about 5 percent of the lakes surface. Based on survey results, anglers can expect good fishing for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and sunfish. A total of 169 Largemouth Bass were sampled in 1.7 hours of electrofishing. This was over twice the daytime average catch for Sauk Rapids Area lakes and similar to the rate observed in 2014. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 5 to 20 inches with an average length of 13 inches, and 34% of the catchable sized bass were greater than15 inches in length. The catch of Northern Pike increased from the last survey conducted in 2014, but remained within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Lake Marie. Northern Pike ranged in length from 19 to 34 inches and averaged 27 inches and 4.5 pounds. Fifty seven percent of Northern Pike sampled were longer than 26 inches and 22% were longer than 30 inches. Few lakes in the area could be considered this good for pike fishing opportunities. The Walleye catch was low, which is not surprising since Walleye have not been stocked since 1986. However, in 2019 the Lake Association purchased and stocked 200,000 Walleye fry to supplement the population. It is likely that fish migrate from upstream portions of the Clearwater River where they reproduce naturally. Walleye ranged in length from 19 to 27 inches with an average size of 23 inches and 4 pounds. Based on the observed catch rates, anglers have a chance to catch an incidental Walleye in Lake Marie. The Bluegill trap net catch was higher than observed in 2014 and within the expected range for lakes similar to Marie. Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to 9 inches and averaged 6.5 inches. Anglers can experience good fishing for smaller Bluegill in Lake Marie however only 1% of the fish sampled were greater than 8 inches in length. The Black Crappie trap net catch was similar to the previous survey in 2014 and was also within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Black Crappie sampled ranged in length from 6 to 10 inches with an average length of 8.5 inches. Although trap net catches were lower than in the past large numbers of adult crappie were observed in early May while electrofishing for Largemouth Bass. Channel Catfish were again sampled in low numbers (3 fish) with little change from the 2014 and 2005 surveys. These fish probably migrated downstream from Betty Lake which was stocked with Channel Catfish in 1983. Other fish species sampled during the survey included Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Lake Marie is a 147 acre lake located along the border of Wright and Stearns Counties, 2 miles northwest of the City of South Haven. The Stearns County Parks Department owns a public access located on the northeast side of the lake. Lake Marie and connecting Lake Louisa are reservoir lakes within Clearwater River and were formed by a dam on the outlet of Lake Marie. The Marie Lake watershed is 60,025 acres with land use consisting of 51% agriculture, 23% hay/pasture, 7% marsh/open water, 6% residential, and 13% forest. In 2014,Secchi readings ranged from 1.5 to 6 feet during July and August. Adequate oxygen was sampled to a depth of 14 feet. It has a moderate diversity of aquatic plants growing in sparse beds around the lake and curly-leaf pondweed was abundant in mid-June and covered 8% of lake surface area Based on survey results, anglers can expect good fishing for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and sunfish. Due to their immediate connection, results of Largemouth Bass electrofishing on Lake Marie was combined with Lake Louisa. A total of 122 Largemouth Bass were sampled in 1.5 hours of day time electrofishing. This was over twice the daytime average catch rate for Montrose Area lakes (47.6/hr). Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 8.1 to 19.7 inches with an average length and weight of 13.9 inches and 1.7 pounds. The catch of Northern Pike increased from the last survey conducted in 2005, but remained within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Lake Marie. Twenty six Northern Pike were sampled and ranged in length from 20.3 to 31.0 inches and averaged 24.6 inches and 3.6 pounds. Fifty two percent of Northern Pike sampled were longer than 24 inches. Few lakes in the area could be considered this good for pike fishing opportunities. Lake Marie is not stocked with Walleye, but several were sampled during the survey. It is likely that fish migrate from upstream portions of the Clearwater River where they have been stocked before (Clear Lake, Betsy Lake, and Union Lake) and now reproduce naturally. Walleye sampled ranged in length from 17.8 to 28.5 inches and averaged 21.4 inches and 3.4 pounds. Based on the observed catch rates, anglers have the chance to catch an incidental Walleye in Lake Marie. The Bluegill trap net catch was less than that observed in 2005 but was within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Bluegill ranged in length from 1.6 to 9.1 inches and averaged 6.7 inches and 0.3 pounds. Anglers can experience good fishing for Bluegill as 36% of the fish sampled were longer than 7 inches. The Black Crappie trap net catch was lower than previous surveys but was also within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Black Crappie sampled ranged in length from 4.1 to 11.8 inches with an average length and weight of 9.1 inches and 0.5 pounds. Although trap net catches were lower than in the past large numbers of adult crappie were observed in early May while electrofishing for Largemouth Bass. Channel Catfish were again sampled in low numbers (2 fish; 19 and 25 inches in length) with little change from 2005 when they were first sampled in Lake Marie. These fish probably migrated downstream from Betsy Lake which was stocked with Channel Catfish in 1983. Other fish species sampled during the survey included: Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Common Carp, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Marie has a maximum depth of 36 feet and a mean depth of 7.2 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Marie is from 2019.

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