Latimer

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Latimer Lake was conducted on July 8-9, 2020 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations and a 15-foot seine was used at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including none that are intolerant of disturbance and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data was combined with gill net data from an August 2019 survey and trap net data from an August 2020 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., Blackchin Shiner and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow and 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 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.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Latimer Lake on June 11 2020, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 28 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 64.9 (±3.5) out of 100 possible. Approximately 89 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 61.5 (±3.3), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 93.3 (±3.8).

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Latimer Lake on June 11 2020, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 28 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 64.9 (±3.5) out of 100 possible. Approximately 89 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 61.5 (±3.3), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 93.3 (±3.8).

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

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

Latimer has a maximum depth of 30.5 feet and a mean depth of 17.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Latimer is from 2019.

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