Charlotte

Ice-out trap nets were set on Charlotte Lake in early April of 2024 to aid in the evaluation of the Northern Pike and Walleye populations. Ice-out trap nets provided a catch of 74 Northern Pike ranging from 10.7 to 29 inches long. Small pike dominated the sample with over 70% measuring under 20 inches long. Mean length was 17.8 inches. Pike in the 22-26 inch protected slot range comprised 16.2% of the catch. No Walleye were captured. Rainbow Trout were also absent from this sampling despite many recent stocking events. Only 2 Black Crappie were observed in the ice-out nets, however a large sample of Bluegill was obtained. A total of 404 Bluegill were counted and fish over 7 inches made up 24% of the catch while fish over 8 inches made up 5.2%. Two Bluegill over 9 inches were observed with the largest measuring 9.37 inches. Otoliths were extracted from a subsample of Bluegills for age and growth analysis. Growth was slow compared to area averages with Age 5 fish averaging 5.5 inches and Age 6 fish averaging 6.5 inches. The oldest fish was Age 10. A population estimate for Largemouth Bass was conducted in the Spring of 2024 on Charlotte Lake. Fish were captured via daytime electrofishing performed during several days in April and May. All bass greater than about 10 inches were netted and marked with a partial fin clip. Electrofishing provided a sample of 161 measured fish over 10 inches. Large bass dominated the sample with fish over 16 inches accounting for 73.9% of the total catch. The modal length group was 17-17.9 inches (60 fish) and the largest fish which was 19.5 inches. Mean length was 16.2 inches for electrofished bass. The marking efforts provided a population estimate of 258 bass (1.8/acre) that were 10 inches or longer. Population estimates for Largemouth Bass have been conducted in the past on six other similar size lakes with densities ranging from 4.6 to 19.3 per acre. The results for Charlotte Lake suggest a somewhat lower density of bass than was found on any of the six small lakes previously studied. The only other fish netted during spring electrofishing were seven Walleye ranging from 8.9 to 28.8 inches. Field notes indicate several 30-35 inch Northern Pike were observed during the May 8 sampling but not netted. No Rainbow Trout were observed. Gill net sampling in 2024 consisted of 6 standard gill nets set in historical locations and depths and a single deep gill net set in 48-51 feet of water. This deep gill net was employed to determine the utilization of deep-water habitats by Cisco, Rainbow Trout, and other large predatory fish. The only 2 species sampled in significant numbers in the historical or deep gill nets were Northern Pike and Cisco. The catch rate for Northern Pike in the historical gill nets was 5.83/lift in 2024 which was similar to the 6.67/lift observed in 2018. Pike sizes were better in the gill nets than in the ice-out trap nets. Average length in the 2024 gill nets was 22.3 inches and maximum length was 35.8 inches. Pike in the 22-26" protected slot comprised 26% of the catch and three pike exceeded 30 inches. The deep gill net sampled 3 Northern Pike, one of which exceeded 30 inches. Cisco in the historical gill nets in 2024 were captured at a rate of 3.67/lift compared to 17.67/lift in 2018. Catch rates have Cisco have been quite variable in the past ranging from absent in 1988 to 18.2/lift in 2000. Substantial catch rate variability is often typical of summer gill net sampling for Cisco. Cisco in 2024 ranged from 8.5 to 11.9 inches and the mean length was 10.1 inches. The deep gill net in 2024 produced 22 Cisco ranging from 8.7 to 13.5 inches long. Average length was 10.3 inches. The deep gill net showed that deep water habitats are being utilized by the Cisco population and that Northern Pike are also visiting deep habitats presumably to prey on Cisco. As with the other gears previously discussed, no Rainbow Trout were observed. A single Walleye and a single Yellow Perch were captured in the historical gill nets in 2024 which mirrored 2018 as only one Walleye and a lone perch were captured in the gill nets that year. Low Walleye catches have been typical for Charlotte Lake dating back to the 1980s. Recent stocking included Walleye fingerlings in 2019 and 2022.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Charlotte Lake was conducted on June 21-22, 2022, by DNR 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 seven sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations, a 15-foot seine was used at five stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 24 species of fish including six intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Rock Bass) and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish, Fathead Minnow, and Black Bullhead). A summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff on June 21-23, 2022. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 12 species of fish, including two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bowfin and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a 2018 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, Blackchin Shiner, and Blacknose Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead 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. An assessment of lakeshore habitat was also conducted on Charlotte Lake on June 22, 2022, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 36 survey sites evenly spaced 100 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 67.0 (± 4.8) out of 100 possible, which is moderately low and below the average score of 73. A low score indicates taht sites are typically developed and have a lower than expected amount of natural habitat. Approximately 50% of the sites were developed with a mean score of 44.1 (± 5.5), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 90.0 (± 1.1). Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Charlotte Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that meets the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. Data from these surveys will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Long Prairie Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Charlotte Lake is a small, deep lake located on the south side of the town of Long Prairie. It's 148 acres and has a maximum depth of 84 feet. Water clarity is very good throughout the summer and there's a public swimming beach and park on the north and east sides of the lake. A DNR-managed public access with concrete boat ramp and fishing pier is located on the lake's west side. Much of the shallow water-zone around Charlotte is heavily colonized by a short, crusty- stemmed plant called chara (pronounced care-uh). It's actually a member of the algae family but unlike other algae, it's very beneficial in maintaining lake water quality and clarity. When pulled up on an anchor for example, it has a very musky odor to it. In places, chara extends out from shore in dense mats like a shelf, the outside edge of which drops off sharply to deep water. Northern Pike will likely offer the best fishing experiences for anglers at this time. Survey netting sampled pike up to 32 inches in length, with 60% of the catch exceeding 24 inches. Walleyes seem to be less abundant than pike, despite every-other-year stocking since 2001. Reasons for poor success in the establishment of a Walleye fishery are unclear, however, sampling gear can be somewhat inefficient given the lakes steep drop-off nature. Bottom line is that catching a walleye at this time, may be a bit of a challenge. Rainbow Trout were experimentally stocked in 2016 however none were sampled in this survey. Largemouth Bass are present in lower than average numbers as well, but decent-sized fish have been sampled during surveys in the past. Bluegill fishing can be very good, especially from the fishing pier. Trap net sampling regularly finds individual fish exceeding eight inches in length. Lake Charlotte supports Cisco, a species that requires cold, oxygenated water throughout the year in order to survive. Many lakes in central Minnesota support Cisco however, what's remarkable about Charlotte is the quality of Cisco habitat present. For a small lake, Charlotte may offer some of the highest quality Cisco habitat of any lake in the region - cold, deep water with high oxygen content. The importance of Charlotte's water quality features should be recognized by the local community, farmers, lakeshore property owners and policy decision-makers in order to ensure long-term protections and maintenance of this unique resource. Methods and strategies at achieving good land stewardship and thus protections for Charlotte Lake can be found at MNDNR.gov.

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

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

Charlotte has a maximum depth of 84 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Charlotte is from 2024.

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