Ida

Ida Lake is located in northern Wright County, about four miles west of Monticello. The lake has a surface area of 231 acres and a maximum depth of 60 feet. Ida Lake is one of the clearer lakes in the area and is popular for angling and other types of recreation. A public access located on the southeast shore has a boat ramp and parking for several vehicles. A survey was conducted in 2022 to assess fish populations and included spring electrofishing and summer netting (trap nets and gill nets). The survey also included water chemistry analysis, and watershed mapping. For the most part, few changes in the abundance and size of fish species present were observed since the last survey in 2012. Ida Lake is well suited for bass and panfish, due to its clear water and abundant/diverse aquatic plant community. Bluegill numbers and average size were within the expected range for similar lakes. Most Bluegills were six to seven inches long with a few over eight inches. Pumpkinseed, Green, and Hybrid Sunfish were also sampled, but in lower numbers. Largemouth Bass were sampled in the spring by electrofishing, and the catch rate was higher than average for the area. The average size was 12 inches, with some as large as 19 inches. Only a few Black Crappie were sampled during the survey, but some anglers have reported good success during spring. Northern Pike thrive in Ida Lake. There is ample area for spawning along the marshy shorelines and the clear water favors species that rely on sight for finding prey. A high number of Northern Pike were sampled in 2022, but average size was low (1.7 pounds). Ida Lake does hold a few larger individuals; a 33-inch Northern Pike was caught during the survey. Yellow Perch numbers appeared very low due to the high Northern Pike population, and this probably limits the growth rate of Northern Pike. Ida Lake has excellent water quality, due largely to its small watershed (the surrounding land which drains into the lake). Because the lake is highly developed, lakeshore owners play an important role in maintaining the high quality of the lake environment. The DNR website contains information on protecting lakeshores and watersheds. Anglers and other recreational users are encouraged to remain diligent in thoroughly inspecting boat trailers, anchors, and equipment to prevent and reduce the spread of invasive species to area lakes.

Ida Lake is located in northern Wright County, about four miles west of Monticello. The lake has a surface area of 231 acres and a maximum depth of 60 feet. Ida Lake is one of the clearer lakes in the area, and is popular for angling and other types of recreation. A public access located on the southeast shore has a boat ramp and parking for several vehicles. A survey was conducted in 2012 to assess fish populations, and included spring electrofishing and summer netting (trap nets, gill nets, and seines). The survey also included water chemistry analysis, watershed mapping, and an aquatic plant survey. For the most part, few changes in the abundance and size of fish species present were observed since the last survey in 2002. Ida Lake is well suited for bass and panfish, due to the clear water and diverse, abundant aquatic plants. Bluegill numbers and average size were within the expected range expected for similar lakes. Most bluegills were in the 6-7.5 inch range, with a few over eight inches. Pumpkinseed, green, and hybrid sunfish were also sampled, but in lower numbers. Largemouth bass were sampled in the spring by electrofishing, and the catch rate of bass was higher than average for the area. The average size was 12 inches, with some as large as 17.5 inches. Only a few black crappie were sampled during the survey, but some anglers have reported good success during spring. Northern pike also thrive in Ida Lake. There is ample area for spawning along the marshy shorelines and the clear water favors species that rely on sight for finding prey. A high number of northern pike were sampled in 2012, but average size was low (1.7 pounds). Ida Lake does hold a few larger individuals; a 38 inch northern pike was caught during the survey. Yellow perch numbers appeared very low due to the high northern pike population, and this probably limits growth rates of smaller northern pike. As part of the lake survey, ages of fish are determined from looking at ear stones and other bony parts. Northern pike, bluegill, and largemouth bass all appeared to be long-lived, but relatively slow growing. This is typical of many lakes in the area that are clear, with average to high fish populations. Most of the black crappies sampled were two years old. It is common to see a few strong year classes making up the majority of a crappie population. Ida Lake has excellent water quality, due largely to its small watershed (the surrounding land which drains into the lake). Because the watershed is mostly comprised of residential areas, lakeshore owners play an important role in maintaining the high quality of the lake environment. The DNR website contains information on protecting lakeshores and watersheds. Anglers and other recreational users are encouraged to remain diligent in thoroughly inspecting boat trailers, anchors and equipment to prevent and reduce the spread of invasive species to area lakes.

Ida Lake is located in northern Wright County, about four miles west of Monticello. The lake has a surface area of 231 acres and a maximum depth of 60 feet. Ida Lake is one of the clearer lakes in the area, and is popular for angling and other types of recreation. A public access located on the southeast shore has a boat ramp and parking for several vehicles.A survey was conducted in 2002 to assess fish populations, and included spring electrofishing and summer netting (trap nets, gill nets, and seines). The survey also included water chemistry analysis, watershed mapping, and an aquatic plant survey.Ida Lake is well suited for bass and panfish, due to the clear water and diverse, abundant aquatic plants. Bluegill numbers and average size were within the range expected for a lake like Ida. Most bluegills were in the 6-7.5 inch range, with a few over eight inches. Pumpkinseed, green, and hybrid sunfish were also sampled, but in lower numbers. Largemouth bass were sampled in the spring by electrofishing, and the catch rate of bass was near the average for the area. The average size was 10.5 inches, with some as large as 17 inches. Only a few black crappie were sampled during the survey, but several anglers reported good success during spring.Northern pike also thrive in Ida Lake. There is ample area for spawning along the marshy shorelines, and the clear water favors species that rely on sight for finding prey. A high number were sampled in 2002, but average size was low (1.4 pounds). Ida Lake does hold a few larger individuals - during the survey a northern pike over 38 inches was caught. Yellow perch numbers appeared very low due to the high northern pike population, and this probably limits growth rates of smaller northern pike.As part of the lake survey, ages of fish are determined from looking at scales and other bony parts. Northern pike, bluegill, and largemouth bass all appeared to be long-lived, but relatively slow growing. This is typical of many lakes in the area that are clear, with average to high fish populations. Most of the black crappie that were sampled appeared to be three years in age. It is common to see a few strong year classes making up the majority of a crappie population.Ida Lake has excellent water quality, due largely to its small watershed (the surrounding land which drains into the lake). Because the watershed is mostly comprised of residential areas, lakeshore owners play an important role in maintaining the high quality of the lake environment. The DNR website contains information on protecting lakeshores and watersheds.

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

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

Ida has a maximum depth of 60 feet and a mean depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ida is from 2022.

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