Mud

Mud Lake is located in western Minnesota, approximately four miles west of Wheaton. It is a highly productive lake that measures 2,500 acres at normal summer pool level with a maximum depth of 7 feet. Mud Lake is on the Minnesota-South Dakota border and is subject to border water fishing regulations. Mud Lake has a high potential for winterkill and the fish community may reflect that at times. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks cooperatively manage the fishery. Little angling is known to occur on Mud Lake during the summer due to difficult access and numerous submerged boulders. Anglers are advised to carefully study a map of the lake before boating, and to drive slowly. Most fishing occurs from shore just upstream from Mud Lake below the Reservation Dam at the outlet of Traverse Lake, or during the winter through the ice. Northern pike have been abundant in all five fish assessments (1994, 1999, 2005, 2010, and 2015). In 2015 they were present from 5 different year classes and measured 13-32 inches. Northern pike frequently experience good reproduction in Mud Lake. The majority (58%) were from the 2013 year class and ranged from 20-25 inches. Walleye were moderately abundant in 2015 with most fish originating from the 2013 year class. They measured 11-14 inches, but fish up to 28 inches were also present. Other game fish species present in moderate numbers included Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, White Bass, and Yellow Perch.

Mud Lake is located in western Minnesota approximately four miles west of Wheaton. It is a highly productive lake that measures 2,500 acres at normal summer pool level with a maximum depth of 7 feet. Mud Lake is on the Minnesota-South Dakota border and is subject to border water fishing regulations. Mud Lake has a high potential for winterkill and is opened annually from December-February to restricted liberalized fishing. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks cooperatively manage the fishery. Little angling is known to occur on Mud Lake during the summer due to difficult access and numerous submerged boulders. Anglers are advised to carefully study a map of the lake before boating, and to drive slowly. Most fishing occurs from shore just upstream from Mud Lake below the Reservation Dam at the outlet of Traverse Lake, or during the winter through the ice. Northern pike have been abundant in all four fish assessments (1994, 1999, 2005, and 2010). In 2010 they were present from 5 different year classes and most measured 13-30 inches, however a couple fish over 30 inches were also sampled. Northern pike frequently experience good reproduction in Mud Lake. Walleye were abundant in 2010 with most fish measuring 9-12 inches, but fish up to 21 inches were also present. The majority of walleye sampled were from a strong 2009 year class that was the result of natural reproduction. Other game fish species present in moderate numbers included black bullhead, black crappie, white bass, and yellow perch.

Mud Lake is a 4,600 acre lake located along the Minnesota/South Dakota border near the town of Wheaton and is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Traverse Lake flood control project. In 1983, a Mud Lake Management Group (MLMG) was formed to coordinate management activities of the lake. This group consisted of representatives from the St. Paul District of the USACE, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, lakeshore landowners, and local sportmen's groups. Since 1987, management has been primarily for waterfowl. Following recommendations made by the MLMG, Mud Lake underwent a drawdown project starting in 2001. Heavy summer rains prevented the drawdown projected, originally scheduled for two years, to be completed until 2005. Heavy rains in 2005 quickly refilled the basin and a netting assessment was conducted to evaluate the status of the Mud Lake fisheries. Dissolved oxygen has frequently declined to the point of winterkill in Mud Lake. As a result, the MNDNR and SDGFP open the lake to liberalized fishing from December 1 to the last day of February. Under current liberalized regulations, anglers are allowed to take up to three times the daily limit with a variety of methods, which include using up to six lines per person. Test nets sampled moderate to abundant northern pike, walleye and white bass in 2005. However, the majority of these species were young-of-year and would not be large enough to interest anglers. Given adequate winter dissolved oxygen, it will take one year for northern pike to obtain lengths of 20-22 inches, two years for walleye to reach 14-16 inches, and two years for white bass to reach 10-12 inches. Northern pike appeared to be naturally reproduced within Mud Lake, but walleye and white bass migrated from Traverse Lake. Walleye fry stocked into Traverse Lake in 2005 were chemically marked. Examination of Mud Lake walleye found that 100 percent came from the Travese Lake stocking. White bass capable of reproduction were not sampled in Mud Lake in 2005, so the high numbers of young-of-year bass were attributed to migration from Traverse Lake. Channel catfish, white crappie and yellow perch were sampled in low abundance. Catfish ranged from 17-23 inches. Looking at catfish growth patterns, it appeared as though they likely migrated in from the Bois de Sioux River. Although fish passage through the White Rock Dam is difficult at best, high water levels in July appeared to have allowed some movement. White crappie and yellow perch abundance was low and would not draw much angler interest. Adult common carp were sampled in low abundance. However, young-of-year were extremely abundant and an expansion of the carp population is likely. An expansion would be detrimental to water quality and habitat of Mud Lake. Fisheries management activities for Mud Lake include annual winter dissolved oxygen monitoring, and a fisheries population assessment in 2010.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Rock Bass, and Black Crappie in Mud. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Mud has a maximum depth of 6.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mud is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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