Limestone

A survey of near shore fish species was conducted on Limestone Lake from July 19th - 21st, 2017by the Sauk Rapids Area Fisheries Office. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the shoreline and each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining, except seven sites where deep water or dense vegetation prevented the use of a seine. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish, including four species that are intolerant of shoreline disturbance and/or poor water quality (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Least Darter, and Iowa Darter). The near shore fish survey data will be combined with gill net and trap net data from the 2017 summer survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. Limestone Lake is located in the Mississippi River - St. Cloud Watershed.

A survey of near shore fish species was conducted on Limestone Lake from July 19th - 21st, 2017by the Sauk Rapids Area Fisheries Office. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the shoreline and each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining, except seven sites where deep water or dense vegetation prevented the use of a seine. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish, including four species that are intolerant of shoreline disturbance and/or poor water quality (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Least Darter, and Iowa Darter). The near shore fish survey data will be combined with gill net and trap net data from the 2017 summer survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. Limestone Lake is located in the Mississippi River - St. Cloud Watershed.

Limestone Lake is a 188 acre recreational development lake located north of Maple Lake in north central Wright County. The lake has a maximum depth of 34 feet and an average summer clarity of about ten feet. There is a County-owned public access located on the north side of the lake. A standard lake survey was conducted in 2017 to monitor changes in the fishery from the last survey completed in 2008. In addition to the standard survey, an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) survey was conducted in late July. Those results will be summarized in a different report. Emergent and floating leaf vegetation covered almost a third of the lake in June, primarily cattail and white waterlily. Submerged vegetation was not surveyed, but coontail and northern watermilfoil were the dominant species in 2008. Limestone Lake is managed for naturally occurring species and Walleye have not been stocked since 1992. There were three Walleye sampled by gill net in 2017 and they ranged in length from 21 to 23 inches. The catch of Northern Pike was the highest recorded and above the expected range of values for similar lakes. Pike were small and ranged in length from 14 to 32 inches with an average length and weight of 19 inches and 1.5 pounds. Only eight percent of the Northern Pike sampled were longer than 24 inches. Largemouth Bass were sampled during daytime electrofishing on May 23, 2017. A total of 61 Largemouth Bass were captured in 1.6 hours of sampling for a catch rate of 38.4/hour. This is slightly lower than the Sauk Rapids area daytime average of 43.3/hour. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 6 to 17 inches with an average length of 10 inches. Bluegill catches were lower than previous surveys, but still within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to 8 inches with an average length of five inches. The catch of Black Crappie was lower than previous surveys and lower than the range of expected values for similar lakes. Black Crappie ranged in length from 7 to 10 inches with an average length of 8 inches. Yellow Perch numbers have historically have been low and 2017 was no exception. Only three yellow perch were sampled during the entire survey. Other species sampled during the survey included: Black Bullhead, Bowfin (dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Limestone has a maximum depth of 34 feet and a mean depth of 12.3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Limestone is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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