Jane

Jane Lake is a mesotrophic, class 24 lake that has a maximum depth of 39 feet. Surface acreage is 145 acres with 104 acres 15 ft. or less in depth. Largemouth Bass is the primary management species. A catch and release regulation for Largemouth has been in place since 1997. No stocking of fish has occurred in recent history. The lake was surveyed with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing in June 2019. The previous survey was conducted in 2013. Largemouth Bass were sampled by nighttime electrofishing at a rate of 68.3 fish per hour. This is higher than the two previous surveys which had just over 40 fish per hour but it is far less than surveys from 2004 and earlier. Mean weight of 1.2 lb was typical relative to previous surveys. All sizes of fish between 6 and 19 inches were well represented. The average length sampled was 12.4 inches. During all previous surveys, electrofishing was conducted during the daytime, which may have influenced differences in catch. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 11.8 fish per gill net. Although this is the lowest catch in the last several surveys, it is still considerably higher than the lake class average. A mean weight of 1.4 lb is low for the lake class and is typical relative to previous surveys. The majority of Pike ranged from 13 to 24 inches in length. The average length was 18.2 inches and the largest individual measured 29.9 inches. Trap nets sampled Bluegills at a rate of 7.7 fish per net which is lower than any previous survey. Recent surveys have sampled Bluegills at a rate 5 to 10 times higher. Mean weight of 0.11 lb is also low, below the typical range for the lake class but is typical for the lake. The average Bluegill length was 5 inches and the largest fish sampled was 7.7 inches long. Black Crappies were sampled at low rates in both gill nets (1.2 fish per net) and trap nets (0.9 fish per net). Mean weight for both gears was high relative to similar lakes. Most fish sampled measured between 7 and 10 inches in length with an average of 8.6 inches in gill nets. The largest Crappie sampled was something of an outlier at 13 inches. Other species sampled included: Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

Management efforts on Jane Lake have primarily focused on Largemouth Bass (LMB). An experimental regulation requiring the release of all LMB between 12 and 16 inches total length (TL) was in effect from 1986 to 1993. The regulation was intended to reduce the harvest of LMB and thereby improve the Bluegill (BLG) size structure through predation. Evaluation of that regulation showed no positive response by the BLG population, so the regulation was discontinued. A new experimental regulation was implemented in 1997 requiring the release of all LMB caught. The objective of this regulation was to maintain the numbers of LMB 16.0" TL and larger at a minimum of 30 percent of the spring electrofishing catch. This catch-and-release only regulation for LMB was made permanent in 2006. In 2013, the gill net catch rate for Northern Pike (NOP) decreased from 24.67 fish/set in 2007 to 19.25 fish/set. The average size of gill net sampled NOP was 18.87 inches and 1.63 pounds. Only 7.69 percent of all NOP captured in both gill and trap nets measured 26.0 inches or longer, with the largest fish captured measuring 35.28 inches. The electrofishing catch rate for Largemouth Bass (LMB) increased from the 2007 assessment. The average size LMB captured by electrofishing was 12.37 inches and 1.20 pounds. The proportion of LMB sampled over 16.0 inches increased from 5.6 percent in 2007 to 18.5 percent in 2013. Bluegill (BLG) trap net abundance exceeded the median level for trap nets. The average size of BLG sampled in trap nets was 5.64 inches and 0.12 pounds. Black Crappies (BLC) were sampled below the median abundance levels for both gill and trap net with an average size of BLC captured measuring 7.36 inches and 0.22 pounds.

Management efforts on Jane Lake have primarily focused on Largemouth Bass (LMB). An experimental regulation requiring the release of all LMB between 12 and 16 inches total length (TL) was in effect from 1986 to 1993. The regulation was intended to reduce the harvest of LMB and thereby improve the Bluegill (BLG) size structure through predation. Evaluation of that regulation showed no positive response by the BLG population, so the regulation was discontinued. A new experimental regulation was implemented in 1997 requiring the release of all LMB caught. The objective of this regulation was to maintain the numbers of LMB 16.0" TL and larger at a minimum of 40 percent of the spring electrofishing catch. This catch-and-release only regulation for LMB was made permanent in 2006. In 2007, the gill net catch rate for Northern Pike (NOP) was the highest ever recorded for this lake. The average size of gill net sampled NOP was 17.4 inches and 1.30 pounds. Only 2.5 percent of all NOP captured measured 26.0 inches or longer, with the largest fish captured measuring 38.27 inches. One 18.98 inch Walleye (WAE) was captured during this survey. Largemouth Bass (LMB) were sampled above median levels for abundance in both gill and trap nets. The electrofishing catch rate for LMB was the lowest recorded since 1994. This could be a direct result of low water levels and the displacement of fish from normal areas. The average size LMB captured by electrofishing was 12.2 inches and 1.2 pounds. The proportion of LMB sampled over 12.0 and 16.0 inches was comparable to electrofishing efforts since the year 2000. No Yellow Perch (YEP) were captured during this fisheries survey. Bluegill (BLG) abundance in the trap net sample, while almost half of that observed in 2002, still remains above the median level for lakes of this type. The average size of BLG sampled was 4.9 inches and 0.10 pounds. Only 15.3 percent of sampled BLG measured 7.0 inches or longer with individuals up to 8.19 inches being captured. Black Crappie (BLC) were sampled below median levels for abundance for both gill and trap nets, with the average size of BLC captured measuring 6.85 inches and 0.175 pounds. Approximately one-third of all BLC captured measured 8.0 inches or longer.

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

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

Jane has a maximum depth of 39 feet and a mean depth of 13 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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