Kohlmeier

Kohlmeier Lake in Steele County is a 32 acre lake located within the city of Owatonna. A city owned public access is located on the east side of the lake off 18th street southwest. A fishing pier is located on the north end of the lake off Swimming Pool Road. A local ordinance covering the lake allows for electric trolling motor use only. A fisheries population assessment was conducted the week of July 7th, 2008 to monitor the fish community. Gill netting was difficult due to heavy curlyleaf pondweed growth. Gill net catches were comprised mostly of black bullhead (28.5 fish per net), bluegill (8.5 fish per net), yellow bullhead (4.5 fish per net), and black crappie (4.5 fish per net). Two northern pike, one hybrid sunfish, and a largemouth bass were also caught in the gill nets. Trap netting was difficult from slow sloping shorelines and seasonal low water. Trap net catches were overwhelmed with bluegill. Bluegills were trap netted at a rate of 190.6 fish per net. Size range was poor, between 3.4 and 6.0 inches. Average size was 4.7 inches. Hybrid and green sunfish were netted at a rate of 5.0 and 2.8 fish per trap net respectively. Other fish captured in the trap nets at trace levels were white sucker, largemouth bass, black crappie, and walleye. Bluegill size structure in Kohlmeier lake exhibits characteristics of a stunted population.

Lake Kohlmeier is a 32 acre pond located within the city limits of Owatonna. It has very good water clarity and good growth of rooted, aquatic vegetation. Different species present include northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. It is primarily managed as a bass/panfish lake, with recent emphasis focused on black crappie.The lake suffered a couple partial winterkills in the late 1990's, causing an overall decline in numbers of gamefish, particularly large predator species such as largemouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish. The present abundance of bluegill and black crappie is about what we'd expect to see in a lake like Kohlmeier. Average size is poor though (about 5 inches). Largemouth bass abundance is low, and needs time to recover from previous winterkills. Stocking of adults may be necessary to jump-start the population. Walleye fingerlings are stocked every other year, and channel catfish may be added to this. Over 2300 adult black crappie were stocked in 2001. These fish have survived, and will likely provide good fishing in 2003 and beyond.The City of Owatonna has purchased a state of the art aeration system that should prevent the lake from winterkilling again. This will go a long way toward maintaining and improving the recreational fishery of Lake Kohlmeier.

Largemouth bass continue to have the best chance at providing quality fishing in Lake Kohlmeier. Bass ranging in age from 3 to 6 years old were collected at a rate of 34 fish per hour in May, 2000. The percentage of the population 15 inches or greater has averaged about 23 percent over the past 4 years. A partial winterkill in 1996-97 was thought to have claimed many of the larger bass in the lake. Electrofishing surveys completed since then have shown this to be not the case, as fish up to 19 inches have been collected. Bluegill abundance (13.3/set) is what we'd expect to see in a lake like Kohlmeier. The average size unfortunately is small, about 10/pound. Black crappie abundance (.8/set) is low, as is average size (5.3 inches). Walleye are stocked biennally to provide anglers with an alternative to bass/panfish. Because only one gillnet is used, it's tough to estimate population characteristics. Few walleye are collected, however the ones that are, are usually over 20 inches long. Northern pike are not stocked by DNR. Nevertheless, they are present in the lake, either due to escapement from the Straight River, or by intentional stocking by local citzenry. Abundance estimates since 1990 range from 1-14/set. Average size is about 20 inches. Northern pike are voracious feeders, and can quickly decimate a forage supply that would otherwise be utilized by walleye and largemouth bass. Transporting gamefish from one body of water to another is illegal without a DNR permit, and can have negative consequences to existing fisheries.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye, White Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish in Kohlmeier. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Kohlmeier has a maximum depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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