Mound

Daytime electrofishing was performed during three separate days in April and May of 2024 to evaluate possible changes to Black Crappie size structure following enactment of a 5 fish bag limit on Black Crappie which was implemented on March 1, 2020. The 2024 spring sampling occurred over an extended timeframe straddling the pre-spawn and spawning periods. Spring Electrofishing appeared to be effective and produced a sample of 419 crappie. The 2024 total catch was the highest number to date with this gear. Changes in total catch and catch rate are not necessarily indicative of changes in abundance due to high seasonal variability. Crappies collected in 2024 ranged from 4.8 to 13.3 inches in length with a mean size of 9.82 inches. Crappie over 10 inches made up 35.6% of the catch and 4.8% exceeded 12 inches. In comparison, spring electrofished crappie in 2020 ranged from 6.4 - 13.3 inches in length. Only 2.3% of the fish exceeded 12 inches and mean size was 9.26 inches. Fish over 10 inches comprised 16% of the catch in 2020. Past spring electrofishing assessments produced similar catches to 2020 in terms of numbers, however at times more desirable size structures were evident. The percentage of crappie over 10 inches was 62% in 2015, 58% in 2017. Proportions of fish greater than 12 inches ranged from 5.2-6.4% during the 2015-2018 assessments. Crappies greater than 13 inches continue to be present though fish in excess of 14 inches have never been observed in spring electrofishing and have not been noted in spring trap nets since 2011. Two 14 inch crappies were sampled in gill nets in 2023. The goals of the restrictive 5 fish bag limit are to produce crappie size structures characterized by at least 50% of the catch exceeding 10 inches, 10% exceeding 12 inches and 14" fish present in the sample. The 2024 results indicate that none of these metrics have been achieved after 4 years, however the evaluation period does not end until 2030. A 9 inch Pumpkinseed was netted during this survey along with 5 Walleye. Field notes indicate several juvenile Walleye were observed during the May effort but were not netted.

A standard survey using six gill nets and nine trap nets was completed the week of August 7, 2023. This survey is part of regular, long-term assessment netting conducted on Mound Lake every six years. Standardized water quality measurements were also completed. The latest data show adequate dissolved oxygen to support fish down to a depth of 32 feet; the water clarity reading was 23.5 feet. The fishery in 2023 can be summarized as having low Walleye abundance, average pike abundance, and very few Yellow Perch. Bluegill were captured in low to moderate numbers and there were no crappies caught in trap nets. The gill net catch suggests crappie remain abundant in the lake and some large fish are present. Sampling during the spring will yield more accurate information and is scheduled for 2024. Electrofishing was not completed during this survey but past electrofishing is extensive and indicated a healthy Largemouth Bass fishery exists. Mound Lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie and secondarily for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. A 5 fish bag limit for crappie was enacted in 2020 as quality within the crappie population showed a decline. Spring trap netting and electrofishing in 2024 will provide updated information regarding this parameter. Largemouth Bass size structure may be lower than the management goal based on 2017 data however more electrofishing in 2024 is warranted to better determine population size structure. Improved Walleye catch rates are needed to meet goals while pike abundance is within management goals. Netted Walleyes in Mound Lake typically range from 15-24 inches with the average around 18 inches. The catch rate has been lower the last two surveys than the long-term average (1983-2011). Stocking over the years has had mixed results. Prior to 2006, fingerlings stocked resulted in good returns as adults 2-4 years later. For the past 15 years, this hasn't been the case, despite heavier average loads of fingerlings being stocked. Future management strategies are currently being discussed. Northern Pike abundance in Mound Lake has been moderate and not at a level that negatively impacts other game or prey fish species. Gill netting catch rates dating back to 1983 average less than 6 fish/gill net which is on par with other lakes similar in character. Most of the pike sampled were between 14 and 21 inches. Four percent of the sample measured greater than 24 inches. The management goal aims to maintain abundance at less than 8.5 fish/gill net with 35% exceeding 24 inches.

Mound Lake is a 269 acre bass/panfish lake located near Burtrum, MN. Daytime electrofishing was performed on May 29 and June 3, 2020 to provide additional pre-regulation data for the 5 fish bag limit on Black Crappie which was implemented on March 1, 2020. The goal of the reduced bag limit is to improve the Black Crappie size structure. Mound Lake has a history of producing large crappies in the 14-15 inch range which is relatively uncommon for smaller lakes in central Minnesota. Angling pressure on crappie in the lake appears to have increased in recent years, especially during the spring. Access based vehicle counters have documented this heavy pressure. Spring trap netting was used for evaluating the crappie population until 2015 when spring electrofishing was initiated as an assessment tool. The 2020 spring sampling occurred over the course of two days straddling the pre-spawn and spawning periods. Future evaluations relating to the 5 crappie bag limit may incorporate a combination of trap netting and electrofishing depending upon the results obtained. Spring Electrofishing appeared to be moderately efficient in terms of numbers of crappie sampled with 213 fish captured in under 1.5 hours of on-time. Black Crappie appeared to be in primarily a pre-spawn stage during the May 29 sampling and most were located in relatively deep water. There was more evidence of active spawning during the June 3 effort. Spring electrofished crappie ranged from 6.4 - 13.3 inches in length with 79% of the fish in the 8.0-9.9 inch range. Only 2.3% of the fish exceeded 12 inches and average size was 9.26 inches. Fish over 10 inches comprised 16% of the catch in 2020. Past spring electrofishing assessments produced similar catches in terms of numbers, however more desirable size structures were evident. The percentage of crappie over 10 inches was 62% in 2015, 58% in 2017 and 30% in 2018. Proportions of fish greater than 12 inches ranged from 5.2-6.4% during these same assessments. Crappies greater than 13 inches continue to be present though fish in excess of 14 inches have not been observed since 2011. Previous spring trap net surveys were conducted in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2011. Trap nets have provided variable sample sizes ranging from 57 to 361 fish, likely due to variations in timing and effort expended. Crappies over 15 inches were captured during the 2003 and 2005 spring trap net assessments.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, and Walleye in Mound. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Mound has a maximum depth of 57 feet and a mean depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mound is from 2023.

Yes — Mound has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.