Buck

Spring Trap netting was performed May 30 to June 1 to provide data on Bluegill size structure and evaluate effects of a 5 fish bag limit on sunfish which was implemented on March 1, 2021. Spring trap netting is the preferred method for evaluating panfish populations and has been conducted on the lake four previous times since 2003. Spring trap netting in 2023 captured 469 Bluegill of which 429 were measured. Spring sample sizes in the past ranged from 185-757 fish. Bluegill in 2023 ranged from 2.8- 10.71 inches and mean length was 6.08 inches. Fish over 7 inches comprised 51% of the catch, fish greater than 8 inches made up 15% of the sample, and 5.6% exceeded 9 inches. The 2023 results indicate attainment of the goals for fish exceeding 7 and 10 inches while falling short of the goals for proportion over 8 and 9 inches. In 2023, the mean length of the top 10% was 9.03 inches suggesting improvement since the regulations were enacted. In general, the size structure has shown some definite improvements under the current regulations with good representation of fish exceeding 9 and even 10 inches. Black Crappie spring trap net catches can vary considerably due to sampling conditions and the lake's catches have demonstrated this variability. Spring trap net catches in the lake have ranged from 30 to 105 fish. A total of 35 crappies were captured in 2023 ranging in size from 7.1 to 13 inches, mean length was 8.6 inches.

Buck Lake is a small (61 acre) bass/panfish lake located near Burtrum, MN. Daytime electrofishing and angling was undertaken in the spring of 2020 in order to calculate an estimate of the Bluegill population. Electrofishing was conducted on five separate days from June 1 to June 17. Angling took place on June 19 and provided an additional gear type for calculating the population estimation. Fish were marked with a partial left pelvic fin clip. Only Bluegill 175 mm (7 inches) or greater were included in the estimate and smaller fish were not collected during most visits. Catch rates and size structures are not directly comparable to past assessments due to this size selectivity. Spring trap netting is the preferred method for sampling Bluegill, however social distance restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic required the use of other gear types. Spring trap net assessments were completed in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2019 and most future Bluegill sampling on Buck Lake is likely to be done with spring trap nets to facilitate more representative comparisons. A total of 467 Bluegill ranging from 1.9 to 10.7 inches were measured during the daytime electrofishing efforts. Fish in the 7-7.99 inch range accounted for 79% of the marked fish and average size was 7.43 inches. Ten (10) Bluegill exceeded 9 inches. Angling captured 41 fish which ranged from 6.5 to 8.4 inches long (average= 7.57 inches). A population estimate of 2,898 Bluegill 175 mm or longer was calculated. As this was the first Bluegill population estimate ever completed in the work area no comparisons can be made to past surveys. Previous spring trap net assessments have produced good numbers of fish with sample sizes of 185 to 757 fish recorded. The most recent spring trap net survey performed in 2019 indicated an exceptionally high quality size structure with 56% of the catch exceeding 8 inches, 23% over 9 inches and several fish measuring greater than 10 inches. Otoliths were extracted from Bluegill in 2019 and aging indicated excellent growth with fish averaging 6.7 inches by Age 4 and 9.1 inches by Age 7. A five fish bag limit for sunfish is scheduled for implementation on Buck Lake on March 1, 2021 as part of the statewide Quality Sunfish Initiative. The lower bag limit is intended to reduce the harvest of sunfish while improving the sizes of sunfish available to anglers. The goal is to have the lake produce more 7 to 10 inch sunfish which are most desired by anglers. Evaluations of lakes that have had similar reduced bag limits for several years have shown that most respond favorably and produce larger sunfish. While fishing for sunfish it is best to limit your harvest of the large individuals, especially the males. The large males exhibit the best growth rates and also inhibit smaller and slower growing males from spawning. Studies have shown that it is important for sunfish to use their resources for growth instead of reproduction at younger ages and smaller sizes. Male Bluegill can usually be discerned from females by their brighter coloration and darker orange bellies. Large Black Crappie were documented during the 2020 electrofishing as three fish from 11.9 to 13.2 inches were measured to verify their presence.

Buck Lake is a small (56 acres) and undeveloped bass/panfish lake west of Burtrum, MN in southeastern Todd County. Panfish netting was conducted on 5/29/2019 to evaluate Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. Six lake survey trapnets were set and lifted on two days for a total of twelve lifts. Buck Lake has a Bluegill population characterized by moderate abundance and good size structure. This and prior spring panfish assessments documented Bluegill populations with fairly high percentages of keeper size fish. A total of 185 Bluegill were caught in the 2019 assessment ranging from 4.8 to 10.4 inches and averaging 7.9 inches in total length. The total catch was down compared to past assessments where catches ranged from 305 in 2008 to 733 in 2003. The 2019 survey captured larger Bluegill than previous assessments. Individuals exceeding 7, 8 and 9 inches comprised 73.0%, 55.7% and 23.2% of the catch respectively. These percentages are the highest observed for these length groups in spring panfish assessments in the Little Falls Area. Bluegill exceeding 7 inches comprised from 28% to 48% of prior survey catches on Buck Lake. Three Bluegill exceeding 10 inches were also sampled in 2019. Bluegill growth rates were fairly fast with some fish reaching 7 inches at age 4, 8 inches at age 5, and 9 inches at age 7. Angler harvest can have a major impact on Bluegill size structure, especially on small lakes such as Buck Lake. Fisheries managers suggest harvesting more abundant fish in the 6 and 7 inch range, limiting harvest of 8 inch fish, and releasing the largest fish over 9 inches. This will help maintain quality Bluegill populations. The 2019 panfish assessment captured 54 Black Crappies which was within the range observed in previous assessments (N=30 to 105). Crappies ranging from 7.2 to 12.7 inches and averaging 9.0 inches were sampled. Fish exceeding 9 and 10 inches comprised 40.7% and 22.2% of the catch respectively, suggesting good numbers of keeper size fish are present in the lake. Fish exceeding 9 inches in length comprised between 20% and 30% of prior survey catches. Again, fisheries managers suggest limiting your harvest rather than keeping a limit to help maintain quality Black Crappie in the lake. Other species captured during the survey included: Bowfin (Dogfish), Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Walleye and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Buck has a maximum depth of 39 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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