Square

Square Lake is a 203 acre, class 23 lake located in northeastern Washington County. The water quality in Square Lake is among the best in the Twin Cities metro area, a secchi disk reading in 2014 was 18.0 feet, and the lake supports a diverse near shore fish community. A near shore Index of Biotic Integrity survey (IBI) was conducted on August 10-11, 2016 to assess populations of non-game species, young-of-the-year (YOY) sport fish, and overall lake health using backpack electrofishing and seining. Electrofishing with a backpack unit and seining were conducted at 10 stations around the perimeter of Square Lake. Eight different species including Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, and Spotfin Shiner were sampled by backpack electrofishing. Bluntnose Minnow and Spotfin Shiner were the most abundant species sampled by backpack electrofishing. Thirteen species were sampled by seining including Iowa Darter, Johhny Darter, Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Spotfin Shiner, and Spottail Shiner. Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, and Spotfin Shiner were the most abundant species sampled by seining. (Insert info from Jacquelyn here)

A survey of near shore fish species was conducted on June 22, 2016 by IBI Program and Area Fisheries Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured a diverse suite of species, with 17 total species of fish surveyed, including four species that are intolerant of excessive shoreline disturbance and/or poor water quality (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter). The near shore fish survey data is combined with gill net and trap net data from an August 2014 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. The FIBI score for Square Lake is near an impairment threshold for aquatic life use developed for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Square Lake is located in the St. Croix River (Stillwater) Watershed.

The water quality in Square Lake is the best in the Twin Cities metro area. The secchi disk reading for 2014 was 18.0 feet. In 1974, due to high water quality and to provide a unique fishery in a major metropolitan area, the management of the lake was changed from warm water gamefish to include Salmonids. Rainbow Trout are now the primary management species with Bluegills the secondary management species. There were no trout sampled in the 2014 assessment. However, there is a stocking moratorium on Rainbow Trout in effect from 2013 through 2015 while the watershed district investigates any connections between the trout and zooplankton interactions on water clarity. Bluegill abundance was below the median level for trap nets, however, it falls in the historic catch range for this lake. The average size of Bluegills sampled was 6.42 inches. Northern Pike were sampled above the median level for abundance in gill nets. Lengths of pike ranged from 9.96 to 37.76 inches with an average of 17.93 inches and 2.24 pounds. Approximately 27% of NOP sampled were at or above 25 inches in total length. Black Crappie abundance during this assessment was the highest since 1994. Lengths ranged from 3.35 to 10.28 inches in length. Two Largemouth Bass were captured in the gill nets and were 9.96 and 9.84 inches in length. These two bass were aged to be 3 years old and 12 years old respectivley, indicating a potentially wide range of growth in this lake. Yellow Perch were sampled at a rate of 1.25 fish/net set, which is below the first quartile for abundance. Lengths ranged from 6.06 to 10.87 inches in length. Black Bullheads, Brown Bullheads and Yellow Bullheads were sampled at a rate above the third quartile for abundance for gill nets.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brown Trout, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, and Green Sunfish in Square. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Square has a maximum depth of 68 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Square is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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