Foster

Wright County

Near Berning Mill

DOW: 86000100

Black CrappieGood · 52Northern PikeAverage · 43BluegillAverage · 39

A 115-acre lake near Berning Mill in Wright County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1985.

Fish Species (7)

Black Crappie

Good · 52

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 1.2–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 5, 1985	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 5, 1985	3.00	-	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 5, 1985	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 43

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.88 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 1.1–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 5, 1985	2.00	-	1.88 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 5, 1985	3.00	-	2.72 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 5, 1985	2.00	-	1.88 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.2–20 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 5, 1985	0.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 5, 1985	0.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Crappie

Average · 37

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 5, 1985	0.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 5, 1985	0.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Poor · 16

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 2.3–18.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 5, 1985	0.50	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 5, 1985	0.50	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill 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 · 40

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 8.5 per trap net · typical 11.5–132.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 5, 1985	85.00	-	0.22 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 5, 1985	8.50	-	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 5, 1985	85.00	-	0.22 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Poor · 22

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.8–6.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 5, 1985	0.50	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 5, 1985	0.50	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

June 5, 1985Northern Pike abundance is about average (2/gill net, 3/trap net) for this area. Ages 2-6 were sampled and growth is above average. Condition appears…

Northern Pike abundance is about average (2/gill net, 3/trap net) for this area. Ages 2-6 were sampled and growth is above average. Condition appears poor. Black Crappie (3/trap net) is the most abundant panfish. Only two age classes were sampled and growth is above average. Bluegill are scarce (0.5/trap net), as are White Crappie (0.3/trap net). Walleye abundance is also low (0.5/gill net). Rough fish dominate the lake's fish population. Black Bullheads (8.5/trap net) are abundant but generally small. Common Carp (1.3/trap net) are present in average numbers. Both show significantly lower abundance than in 1960. White Sucker (0.5/gill net) and Bigmouth Buffalo (0.5/trap net) are present in low numbers. Yellow and Brown Bullheads and Pumpkinseeds were sampled in 1960 but not in 1985.

June 5, 1985Northern Pike abundance is about average (2/gill net, 3/trap net) for this area. Ages 2-6 were sampled and growth is above average. Condition appears…

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Foster?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Bluegill, White Crappie, and Walleye in Foster. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Foster?

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

How deep is Foster?

Foster has a maximum depth of 10 feet and a mean depth of 5.6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Foster last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Foster is from 1985. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.