Coal

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Coal Lake was conducted on June 28 and July 1, 2022 by Little Falls Area Fisheries Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot seine. Backpack electrofishing was performed at all stations with one site being electrofished from the boat. Seining was completed at nine of ten sampling stations. Several seine hauls consisted of lengthened hauls to increase the area sampled. Some heavily vegetated and/or soft bottom stations required shortened hauls or fixed-pole sampling. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish including a single species that is intolerant of disturbance (Iowa Darter) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish, Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from the June 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Coal Lake is "normal" as indicated by the FIBI score of 49, above the impairment threshold (38) for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The score from 2022 is quite similar to past scores in 2011 (46.5) and 2017 (52.1) and the species composition/assemblage showed minimal differences. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community during the Long Prairie River Watershed assessment process completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Coal Lake received a standard survey using gill nets, trap nets and electrofishing during May and June, 2022. Sampling gear targeted Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass. As an overview, Coal Lake has a Walleye population characterized as low-density, Northern Pike are moderately abundant and small in average size, medium to large Yellow Perch are scarce, Bluegill and Black Crappie are modest in size and abundance, and Largemouth Bass numbers are average with a few large fish present. Gill nets caught a total of 60 pike, 15 crappies, two Walleyes and one perch. The average size Northern Pike was 20.4 inches, most fish caught were less than 20 inches and maximum length was a 28.5 inch fish. From a management perspective, we'd like to see pike abundance stay low. It bumped up in 2022 but the long-term average is still reasonable. Future monitoring will continue to observe population trends. Walleye fingerlings are stocked on an every-other-year basis however, the desired abundance level has not been recently attained. At this time, there are a few larger Walleyes in the lake but for the most part, angling pursuits would be better directed toward panfish and bass. Yellow Perch are scarce because Northern Pike keep them cropped down. It's possible that perch are more abundant than our gill nets indicate since they have to be about 4-5 inches long before they're vulnerable to capture. Other lakes with apparent low perch abundance have been sampled with special small-mesh gill nets and found to be very abundant but measuring three inches or less. Crappies over 12 inches can be found in Coal but they're rare. For the most part, lengths average anywhere from 5-10 inches. Bluegills, while higher in abundance, run on bit on the small side, averaging about six inches. We have however measured Bluegills over nine inches. Electrofishing caught a total of 54 Largemouth Bass. Average size was 12.3 inches however a few trophy fish are present. Coal Lake continues to offer users a relatively peaceful fishing or boating experience. The lake is only moderately developed and there are plenty of natural features along the shoreline to enjoy. Water clarity is about 10 feet but has a dark stain to it caused by decaying vegetation and tannic acid in the watershed. This is not harmful in any way and in fact, is indicative of an adjacent landscape rich in wetlands and forested cover.

Coal Lake (DOW# 77-0046-00; Lake Class 29) is a 171 acre lake located near Browerville, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the southwest shore. Coal Lake has 2.76 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 25 feet. Lake is in Lake Class 29; lakes in this class generally have a high amount of water less than 15 feet deep and are regular shaped. Coal Lake offers some unique opportunities for anglers in the Little Falls area. Walleye numbers are relatively good when compared to other Lake Class 29 lakes with a wide range of sizes. Largemouth Bass numbers are high with a good number of 13-15 inch fish, but not many larger than 15 inches. Both Bluegill and Black Crappie size structure were fairly average for the area with some quality fish. Very large Brown and Yellow Bullhead were seen with fish up to 16 inches. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include Bowfin (Dogfish), Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, and Pumpkinseed Sunfish. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Fish harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of aquatic invasive species (AIS) can all adversely affect fish populations. Curly Leaf Pondweed has been identified in Coal Lake. AIS can be moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Little Falls Area Fisheries office.

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

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

Coal has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Coal is from 2022.

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