Maria

Maria Lake is located in northwestern Stearns County, near the town of New Munich. The lake is 100 acres in size, with a maximum depth of 45 feet. A local conservation club maintains a public access at the south end of the lake. The lake is eutrophic, and partial winterkills sometimes occur in years with heavy snow and ice cover. In 2001, a fisheries survey was conducted that included electrofishing, gillnetting, trapnetting, shoreline seining, and a plant survey.The lake is managed primarily for northern pike and largemouth bass. In 2001, the northern pike population appeared to be relatively large for a lake like Maria, although the catch rate was lower than the previous survey (1990). Pike had an average length of 20 inches, and an average weight of 1.8 pounds. The largest individual sampled was 26 inches. Twenty-nine largemouth bass were sampled in the spring by electrofishing (26 fish/hr). The catch rate was lower than average for the Montrose management area (55/hr). However, several bass were larger than 17 inches, with the largest nearly 20 inches.Black crappie were relatively abundant, and numbers appeared to be up from 1990. Most of the crappie sampled in 2001 were from the 1997 and 1998 year classes, and these fish were in the range of 7-8.5 inches. Bluegill numbers remained at a level typical for a lake like Maria, and most were between 5 and 7 inches. Growth rates for all of the game species appeared to be similar to statewide averages. Small black bullheads were abundant, and lower numbers of brown and yellow bullheads were also present. White sucker, common carp, bowfin (dogfish) were also sampled in numbers typical for this type of lake.

The 1990 survey duplicated three gill net and four trap net sets from the 1984 population assessment. Catch data from the duplicate surveys were used for comparisons of fish abundance. Northern pike numbers increased significantly from 1984 (5.3/gill) and were abundant (16.0/gill net). The median length increment increased from 19 inches to 22 inches from 1984 to 1990, however no fish larger than 26 inches were sampled during 1990. Ages 2-6 were sampled and growth was good. Walleyes were present in low numbers (1.7/gill net) the median length increment was 23 inches. Bluegill abundance (23.5/trap net) remained stable since 1984 (19.8/trap) and was near the median. The median length increment was 6.0-6.4 inches and age 3 was the predominant age class. Growth was slow during the first year but became good for bluegill over age 1. Young of the year bluegill were numerous in shoreline seining. Black crappie numbers (0.6/trap) were lower than 1984 (2.8/trap) and have dropped below the first quartile value (2.0/trap). Yellow perch abundance (3.7/gill) was lower than 1984 (9.0/gill) and about equal to the first quartile value. Good numbers of young of year yellow perch were collected by shoreline seining. Black bullhead (22.8/trap) and yellow bullhead (31.3/trap) continue to be present in high numbers. Common carp numbers remain low.

Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch numbers were near local medians. Walleyes were present in low numbers. High bullhead population included yellow, black, and brown. Common Carp were present but in numbers below local median. Northern Pike age classes 2 through 6 and young of the year were well represented, and growth was good. Largemouth Bass (young of the year and age 1) captured in shoreline seining only. Black Crappie numbers have declined since past surveys (from 37.6/trap net in 1961 to 2.6/trap net in 1984).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and Black Crappie in Maria. 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 Maria. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Maria has a maximum depth of 45 feet and a mean depth of 13.2 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Maria is from 2001. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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