Howard

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Howard Lake, was conducted on July 29-July 31st, 2024, by Area Fisheries 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 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 12 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 0 stations. Seining was not completed at IBI 5 and 8 due to dense vegetation and deep water. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including 1 species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter and 2 that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (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., Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Howard Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Howard Lake is impaired for biological health. 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 Howard Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Howard Lake, was conducted on July 29-July 31st, 2024, by Area Fisheries 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 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 12 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 0 stations. Seining was not completed at IBI 5 and 8 due to dense vegetation and deep water. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including 1 species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter and 2 that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (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., Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and 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. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Howard Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Howard Lake is impaired for biological health. 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 Howard Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Howard Lake is located near the City of Howard Lake in Wright County. The lake has a surface area of 711 acres and a maximum depth of 39 feet. Three (3) public accesses are available around the lake. The most popular access is Lions Park located on the southeast end of the lake and two (2) smaller accesses are each located on the northwest and southwest sides. In 2019, a standard survey was completed to update fisheries data last collected in 2014. The survey included spring Largemouth Bass electrofishing and summer gill netting and trap netting for all species. Largemouth Bass were sampled by nighttime electrofishing on May 28, 2019. Two hundred-seventeen fish were sampled which is high for Howard Lake. Anglers should have opportunities to catch quality-sized fish as the bass sampled ranged in length from six (6) to 20 inches with an average length of 14 inches. Half of the bass were longer than 12 inches and 34% were longer than 15 inches. Gill nets and trap nets were set from August 19th - 23rd. A total of 38 Walleye were sampled in the gill nets. The catch rate of Walleye was similar to 2014 and within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Howard Lake. Walleye ranged in length from 14 to 28 inches and averaged 19 inches. The Northern Pike catch rate remained the same as the last survey and was within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Howard Lake. Seventy-one pike were sampled and averaged 24 inches in length with the longest measuring 35 inches. The catch rate of Yellow Perch was higher than in 2014 and within the expected values for lakes with similar characteristics. The catch rate was also above the long-term average for Howard Lake. Perch sampled ranged in length from four (4) to eight (8) inches and averaged six (6) inches. The Bluegill catch rate was lower than 2014 and below the expected range of values for the lake class. Bluegill sampled ranged in length from three (3) to eight (8) inches with an average length of four (4) inches. The Black Crappie gill net catch rate increased from 2014 and exceeded the expected range of values for lakes with similar characteristics and was also higher than the long-term average for Howard Lake. The trap net catch rate also increased from 2014 and was within the range of expected values for lakes with similar characteristics. Black Crappies sampled ranged in length from four (4) to 12 inches with an average length of six (6) inches. Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead were sampled in high numbers. All species of Bullhead were about the same size, ranging from four (4) to 15 inches in length. Furthermore, Black and Yellow Bullhead were also of exceptional size in weight and considered to be some of the best in the Sauk Rapids Area. Other fish species sampled included: Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.

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

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

Howard has a maximum depth of 39 feet and a mean depth of 16.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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