Somers

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Somers Lake was conducted on August 6, 2025, 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 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 6 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 3 stations. One station was not seined due to deep water and dense vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 9 species of fish including no species that are intolerant of disturbance and 0 that are tolerant of disturbance, though 1 tolerant species was captured in gill nets (i.e., Common Carp). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a September 2021 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Somers Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Somers Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - St. Cloud watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Somers Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Somers Lake is a 158-acre lake located about three miles north of Maple Lake in Wright County. Somers is connected to Mink Lake via a navigable channel and a public boat access is located on the southwest side of Mink Lake. High phosphorous concentrations result in nuisance algal blooms, large stands of curly-leaf pondweed and reduced water clarity. A standard lake survey was conducted in August to monitor changes in the fishery from the last survey completed in 2016. Mink and Somers Lakes were reclaimed with rotenone in 1994 due to an overabundance of Common Carp. The lakes were restocked and closed to fishing until 1998. Since that time an aeration system has been deployed as needed to prevent winterkill. Similar to connected Mink Lake, Somers Lake is also managed with a suite of fishing regulations. Current regulations include: daily bag limits of five sunfish, five crappie, a 17 inch minimum size limit on Walleye with a possession limit of three, a 12 - 20 inch protected slot on Largemouth Bass with one over 20 inches allowed in possession, and a 24 - 36 inch protected slot on Northern Pike with one over 36 inches allowed in possession. Possession and use of live minnows is also prohibited. The Walleye population in Somers Lake is sustained through fingerling stocking during odd numbered years. Walleye have been stocked as fry, fingerlings, and adults since the reclamation and the lake is currently stocked with fingerlings every other year. The catch of Walleye was similar to that reported in 2016, and within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 20 to 27 inches with an average length of 22 inches. Only nine Walleye were sampled during the survey but represented five different year classes. Northern Pike were never stocked in Mink-Somers Lakes but populations became established by 2001. The 2021 catch of Northern Pike decreased by half from the record high catch observed in 2016 but still remained near the top of the expected range for similar lakes. Pike ranged in length from 8 to 36 inches with an average length of 24 inches. Sixty-seven percent of the pike sampled were longer than 24 inches and 26% were longer than 30 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest smaller pike (under 22 inches) and release the larger ones to help achieve a more balanced fish community and promote good growth rates. Lower pike numbers may also increase the survival of young Walleye and Yellow Perch. Higher perch populations are desirable as they are an important prey species for both Walleye and Northern Pike. Largemouth Bass were sampled by day-time electrofishing on June 2, 2021. Fifty-five bass were sampled in 0.98 hours of effort for a catch rate of 56.3 fish/hr. This is higher than the average day-time catch rate for Sauk Rapids Area lakes (43.3 fish/hour). Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 7 to 20 inches with an average length of 13 inches and numerous bass longer than 15 inches. The catch of Yellow Perch decreased but was still good compared to recent surveys and remained well above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5 to 9 inches with an average length of 7 inches. Bluegill trap net catches were twice that of the previous survey, and exceeded the range of expected values for similar lakes. Overall, Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to 10 inches with an average length of 6 inches. The trap net catch of Black Crappie were also two times higher than the previous survey but remained within the range of expected values for similar lakes. The gill net catch on the other hand was lower than the previous survey, but still above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 13 inches with an average length of 6 inches. In 2001, Common Carp were present in high numbers in Mink and Somers lakes (9.4/gill net and 3.4/trap net, lakes combined). However, as the average size of Carp increased, the catches decreased such that in 2021 only three Carp were caught in the gill nets and none in the trap nets. Hybrid and Pumpkinseed Sunfish were the only other fish species sampled during the survey.

Somers Lake is a 158-acre lake located about three miles north of Maple Lake in Wright County. Somers is connected to Mink Lake via a navigable channel and a public boat access is located on the southwest side of Mink Lake. High phosphorous concentrations result in nuisance algal blooms, large stands of curly-leaf pondweed and reduced water clarity. A standard lake survey was conducted in August to monitor changes in the fishery from the last survey completed in 2016. Mink and Somers Lakes were reclaimed with rotenone in 1994 due to an overabundance of Common Carp. The lakes were restocked and closed to fishing until 1998. Since that time an aeration system has been deployed as needed to prevent winterkill. Similar to connected Mink Lake, Somers Lake is also managed with a suite of fishing regulations. Current regulations include: daily bag limits of five sunfish, five crappie, a 17 inch minimum size limit on Walleye with a possession limit of three, a 12 - 20 inch protected slot on Largemouth Bass with one over 20 inches allowed in possession, and a 24 - 36 inch protected slot on Northern Pike with one over 36 inches allowed in possession. Possession and use of live minnows is also prohibited. The Walleye population in Somers Lake is sustained through fingerling stocking during odd numbered years. Walleye have been stocked as fry, fingerlings, and adults since the reclamation and the lake is currently stocked with fingerlings every other year. The catch of Walleye was similar to that reported in 2016, and within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 20 to 27 inches with an average length of 22 inches. Only nine Walleye were sampled during the survey but represented five different year classes. Northern Pike were never stocked in Mink-Somers Lakes but populations became established by 2001. The 2021 catch of Northern Pike decreased by half from the record high catch observed in 2016 but still remained near the top of the expected range for similar lakes. Pike ranged in length from 8 to 36 inches with an average length of 24 inches. Sixty-seven percent of the pike sampled were longer than 24 inches and 26% were longer than 30 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest smaller pike (under 22 inches) and release the larger ones to help achieve a more balanced fish community and promote good growth rates. Lower pike numbers may also increase the survival of young Walleye and Yellow Perch. Higher perch populations are desirable as they are an important prey species for both Walleye and Northern Pike. Largemouth Bass were sampled by day-time electrofishing on June 2, 2021. Fifty-five bass were sampled in 0.98 hours of effort for a catch rate of 56.3 fish/hr. This is higher than the average day-time catch rate for Sauk Rapids Area lakes (43.3 fish/hour). Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 7 to 20 inches with an average length of 13 inches and numerous bass longer than 15 inches. The catch of Yellow Perch decreased but was still good compared to recent surveys and remained well above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5 to 9 inches with an average length of 7 inches. Bluegill trap net catches were twice that of the previous survey, and exceeded the range of expected values for similar lakes. Overall, Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to 10 inches with an average length of 6 inches. The trap net catch of Black Crappie were also two times higher than the previous survey but remained within the range of expected values for similar lakes. The gill net catch on the other hand was lower than the previous survey, but still above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 13 inches with an average length of 6 inches. In 2001, Common Carp were present in high numbers in Mink and Somers lakes (9.4/gill net and 3.4/trap net, lakes combined). However, as the average size of Carp increased, the catches decreased such that in 2021 only three Carp were caught in the gill nets and none in the trap nets. Hybrid and Pumpkinseed Sunfish were the only other fish species sampled during the survey.

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

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

Somers has a maximum depth of 21 feet and a mean depth of 10.2 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Somers is from 2021.

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