McKusick

Washington County

Near Stillwater

DOW: 82002000

Hybrid SunfishAverage · 49PumpkinseedAverage · 37Green SunfishAverage · 31

A 49-acre lake near Stillwater in Washington County — best known for panfish. Last surveyed 2014.

Fish Species (8)

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 49

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.7"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 3.2 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	3.20	3.7"	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.6"

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per trap net · typical 0.8–9.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 5"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	9.00	3.6"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets

Green Sunfish

Average · 31

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.5"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 2.6 per trap net · typical 0.4–3.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable green sunfish0% keeper-size (7"+)

3–6" · 100%Largest sampled 5"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	2.60	4.5"	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Poor · 15

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.4"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 1.3–27.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	1.00	6.4"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 8

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 1.2 per trap net · typical 2.8–43.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	1.20	5.0"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 0

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.8"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.4–3.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	1.00	6.8"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Black Bullhead

Average · 31

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.8"

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 2.5–70.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	1.00	7.8"	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 16

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.8"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per trap net · typical 0.4–3.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 2014	2.80	4.8"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

July 1, 2014McKusick Lake has been in the Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program since 2003. The City of Stillwater owns most of the property along McKusick Rd…

McKusick Lake has been in the Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program since 2003. The City of Stillwater owns most of the property along McKusick Rd on the east side of the lake which allows for public access to the lake. A public fishing pier was constructed in 2014. This project was a combined effort by the DNR FIN, City of Stillwater, McKusick Lake Water Association, Rotary Foundation, Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club, and the Stillwater Noon Rotary club. Amenities at McKusick Lake are minimal, there is a walking path along the east, north and northwest sides of the lake, and a portable toilet is located at the fishing pier. The lake has shorefishing access points along the walking path on the east, north and northwest sides of the lake. There is also a place to launch a canoe or kayak from the south east end of the lake. Prior to 2014, the only fisheries management activities taken at McKusick Lake were two stocking events, one in 2003 when 226 Bluegill and 354 Black Crappie were stocked and another in 2007 when 463 Bluegill and 741 Black Crappie were stocked. In 2014, 384 Bluegill were stocked. McKusick Lake can be best described as a panfish lake. Pumpkinseed Sunfish are present in good numbers for lakes like McKusick. Other panfish species found in the lake were Green and Hybrid Sunfish and Yellow Perch, these fish were present in average numbers. Bluegill Sunfish and Black Crappie are also present but in below average numbers and size. Black Bullhead were present in low numbers but above average size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in McKusick?

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

Is there public access at McKusick?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for McKusick. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

When were the main sport fish in McKusick last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in McKusick is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.