George

Lake George is a small lake with a unique history located within the City of St. Cloud. When originally surveyed in 1855 the lake was approximately four times larger than it is today. The lake was originally supplied with water by a combination of springs and a small creek located on the west side. Water drained eastward through a ravine to the Mississippi River. As the city of St. Cloud grew and the surrounding landscape changed, water levels dropped and conditions generally deteriorated. In the winter of 1927 an effort by the City to improve conditions was initiated. The center of the lake was dredged and sediment from the lake was used to fill in the north and south sides of the lake transforming it into a much smaller 9 acre lake with a maximum depth of 32 feet. Because of the excavation the shoreline drops off sharply but sago pondweed grows densely in the shallow margins around the lake. A walkway encircles the lake, providing easy access for shore anglers. Canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and paddleboats are available for rent and weekly kids fishing events are held during the summer months. A city ordinance prohibits ice fishing as the city maintains skating rinks during the winter. The lake is connected to the Mississippi River through an underground outlet on the north east side of the lake. Periodic stocking of sport fish has occurred in Lake George including Bluegill and Black Crappie most recently in 2008. Since 2014, 100 to 200 adult Channel Catfish have been stocked annually with the intent of enhancing angling opportunities as well as improving the balance of predator and prey species present in the lake. Daytime electrofishing was conducted on June 3, 2016 to assess the fishery and to consider options to improve fishing. Many Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Golden Shiners were seen and a subsample were captured for measurement. Most of the panfish sampled in Lake George were small in size. A total of 41 Black Crappie were sampled that averaged 7.4 inches in length with the largest measuring 8.6 inches. Of the 79 Bluegill sampled the average length was 5.2 inches but fish up to 7.8 inches were found. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 160 fish/hour which is about four times higher than average for lakes in the Sauk Rapids management area. The average length of Largemouth Bass was only 8.2 inches but bass up to 19.1 inches were sampled. Golden Shiners were also observed in high numbers ranging in size from 3.2 to 6.8 inches in length. Other species observed in low numbers included Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. The single Walleye sampled was 27.6 inches in length. Despite recent stocking, no Channel Catfish were sampled. Electrofishing only effectively samples fish in water less than six feet deep so other sampling techniques would have to be employed in order to reliably estimate catfish abundance. Two other species that were not sampled in this assessment but have been found in previous investigations were Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass. Lake George will continue to be stocked with gamefish as needed to provide a unique urban angling opportunity in St. Cloud.

Lake George is a small, man-made lake located in the city of St. Cloud. The lake has a surface area of 8.8 acres and a maximum depth of 32 feet. The shoreline drops off sharply and only 43% of the lake is littoral. A walkway encircles the lake, providing easy access for shore anglers. In 2005 and 2006, a total of 173 adult channel catfish were stocked with the intent of reducing bullhead abundance. A limited assessment using six, three-quarter inch trap nets was conducted on April 25, 2006. Netting success was poor, with four nets failing to catch any fish. It is likely that the sharp drop-off near shore contributed to the poor catch. Bluegill were the most abundant species found (4.2/net) and ranged in length from 2.0 - 7.3 inches. Other game species included yellow perch (1.8/net), largemouth bass (1.0/net), pumpkinseed (1.0/net), channel catfish (0.2/net), and black crappie (0.2/net). White sucker (1.8/net) were common, while black bullhead, golden shiner, and yellow bullhead were all sampled less frequently. Past assessments have included additional gamefish species. Walleye (1.0/gill net) and northern pike (6.5/gill net) were last sampled in 1991. Adult northern pike were stocked in Lake George as recently as 1988. Adult smallmouth bass (0.3/trap net) were last sampled in 1983; however, young of the year smallmouth bass were sampled by shoreline seining in 1991. Lake George will continue to be stocked with gamefish as needed to provide a unique urban angling opportunity in St. Cloud. Future sampling could include spring electrofishing to assess bass, panfish and channel catfish populations.

Northern Pike numbers have increased by a factor of six since the 1983 lake survey due to the stocking of adults. Numbers are now in the average range for this lake class and average size was large (4.2 pounds). Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 23-30 inches and ages 5,6,7,8, and 10 were present. Growth rates were average. Yellow Perch have decreased in numbers since the 1983 survey, but catch rates remained high. Length ranged from 5.0-6.4 inches. Two Walleye, with lengths of 19 and 21 inches, were sampled in gill nets. Average weight was 2.8 pounds. This was the first year Walleye were sampled in gill nets in this lake. Bluegill and Black Crappie appeared to have decreased somewhat in number since the 1983 survey, possibly due to the higher numbers of Northern Pike. Numbers were in the average range for Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Average sizes for these species were small. The modal length of Bluegill, the most common pan fish, was four inches, with a length range of 3.5 to 5.4 inches. Black Crappie ranged from 4.5 to 5.9 inches. Black Bullhead were sampled for the first time in this lake. Three distinct length groups were present at four, nine, and 11 inches. Numbers and size were average. No adult Largemouth Bass or Smallmouth Bass were sampled in this survey; however, young-of-year Smallmouth Bass were sampled by shoreline seining, indicating some reproduction.

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

George has a maximum depth of 32 feet and a mean depth of 16.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in George is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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