Laura
A 140-acre lake near Fairhaven in Stearns County — best known for panfish. Last surveyed 2010.
Fish Species (3)
Green Sunfish
Typical numbers
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2010
Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.2 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2010 | 0.20 | 4.0" | 0.05 lbs |
Other species in this lake (2)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Black Bullhead
Above-normal numbers
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2010
Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2010 | 1.80 | 5.8" | 0.14 lbs |
Golden Shiner
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2010
Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.2 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2010 | 0.20 | 6.0" | 0.09 lbs |
Biologist Notes
June 2, 2010Laura Lake is located two miles northeast of Fairhaven in Stearns County. It has a surface area of 154 acres and a maximum depth of seven feet. The wa…
Laura Lake is located two miles northeast of Fairhaven in Stearns County. It has a surface area of 154 acres and a maximum depth of seven feet. The watershed is 2,400 acres, and consists mostly of cultivated agricultural, grassland, and deciduous forest. Laura Lake lies within the Laura Lake State Game Refuge. Water quality at the time of the survey appeared good as the Secchi depth was over seven feet. An outlet is located on the east side of the lake which flows a short distance to Three Mile Creek. Laura Lake has not been considered to be a "fish lake" and no fisheries management has taken place. No public access exists. This was the first fisheries investigation ever conducted. A total of five 3/4" standard lake survey trap nets were set in Laura Lake. The following day catches were light and consisted mostly of winter kill tolerant species such as black bullhead (1.8/net). One green sunfish (4.2 inches) and one golden shiner (6.3 inches) were also sampled. Black bullhead ranged in size from 5.6 to 8.5 inches and most fish were less than six inches. Laura Lake supports a diverse aquatic vegetation community, and much of the shoreline is protected by cattail and bulrush. Numerous species of native submerged and floating leaved aquatic plants were also observed during the survey. Considering its connection to Three Mile Creek, Laura Lake likely supports a population of game fish during brief periods between winterkill events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Laura?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Green Sunfish in Laura. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Laura?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Laura. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Laura?
Laura has a maximum depth of 7 feet and a mean depth of 3.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Laura last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Laura is from 2010. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Laura have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Laura in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 140.42 acres
- Max Depth
- 7 ft
- Mean Depth
- 3.5 ft
- Shoreline
- 2 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed