Emma

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Emma Lake was conducted on July 21 - July 23, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations. Two stations were not seined due to dense vegetation and soft substrate. Nearshore sampling captured ten species of fish, including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured thirteen species of fish, including zero species that are intolerant of disturbance and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish). Pumpkinseed and Black Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Common Carp comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2016 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biological integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the North Fork Crow River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Emma Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community on Lake Emma was conducted on June 12, 2018 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot beach seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 stations with two sites sampled from the boat. Soft sediments with abundant emergent vegetation in deep water prevented the use of seines at two sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 13 native species of fish with Yellow Perch and Bluegill most commonly sampled. Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from a standard gill and trap netting survey to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) score that describes the overall health of the lake. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blackchin Shiner, Banded Killifish, and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. The FIBI score for Lake Emma based on this survey is just one point above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes, indicating acceptable water quality and habitat conditions exist for aquatic life but the lake is vulnerable to future impairment. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the North Fork Crow River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community on Lake Emma was conducted on June 12, 2018 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot beach seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 stations with two sites sampled from the boat. Soft sediments with abundant emergent vegetation in deep water prevented the use of seines at two sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 13 native species of fish with Yellow Perch and Bluegill most commonly sampled. Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from a standard gill and trap netting survey to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) score that describes the overall health of the lake. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blackchin Shiner, Banded Killifish, and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. The FIBI score for Lake Emma based on this survey is just one point above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes, indicating acceptable water quality and habitat conditions exist for aquatic life but the lake is vulnerable to future impairment. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the North Fork Crow River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Emma. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Emma has a maximum depth of 16 feet and a mean depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Emma is from 2025.

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