Tyson

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Tyson during September 13, 2023 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to fry stocking/natural reproduction. One station was sampled for 10 minutes at dusk. The water temperature was 70 F. Water clarity was poor (6 inches) with a moderate blue-green algae bloom. We observed abundant numbers of Yellow Perch (4-6 inches), five Yellow Bullhead and four adult Walleye. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Tyson is a small (147 acres), shallow (8 feet maximum depth), periodically aerated, and productive lake located in Yellow Medicine County. Blue-green algae blooms are common and intense in Tyson Lake. Common Carp are not present in Tyson. A partial summerkill of primarily Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnows, and Orangespotted Sunfish occurred in July of 2002. Winterkill rarely occurs on Tyson Lake unlike nearby Wood Lake. Adequate oxygen levels (> 3 ppm) were maintained by the aeration system during the 2022-23 winter which had extreme snow events. No winterkill occurred in Tyson or nearby Wood unlike many other southern Minnesota lakes. Submergent vegetation present during 2022 included sago pondweed, coontail and northern milfoil especially in the near shore areas. Emergent vegetation consists mainly of bulrush and cattail species scattered throughout the shoreline areas. Shoalwater substrates are mostly silt and sand. Walleye natural reproduction has been generally insignificant based on previous surveys for Tyson. The Walleye population is due mostly to fry stockings (50,000 to 287,000 fish per stocking) in Tyson. Walleye fry have been recently stocked into Tyson during 2010-2011, 2013-2014, 2017, 2021-23. Approximately 50,800 Walleye fry were stocked in 2023. Walleye yearlings and adults were stocked in Tyson during 2003 (434 pounds, 1,304 fish), 2020 (250 pounds, 301 fish) and 2021 (100 pounds, 49 adults). Walleye fry are currently scheduled annually for stocking of Tyson. YOY Walleye numbers were abundant (365.99 YOY/hour, 7.46 inches) in the 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. Low numbers of yearling Walleye (6.00 fish/hour, 12.01 inches) were also captured in 2023. There were abundant numbers of YOY Walleye (125.46 YOY/hour, 5.03 inches average length) captured in the 2017 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye (126.00 YOY/hour, 5.67 inches average length) were also captured in 2014. The highest Tyson YOY Walleye catch rate (378.46 YOY/hour, 4.92 inches average length) occurred in 2008. The Tyson Lake fall electrofishing historical average catch rate and length are 113.33 YOY/hour and 6.04 inches respectively. Walleye abundance in 2022 gillnets (16.00 fish/gillnet) was above the Walleye historical average catch rates of 9.42 fish/gillnet for Tyson. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.50 pounds and 18.25 inches from gillnets. The 2022 catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches plus) Walleye was 14.00 fish/gillnet. Walleye growth rates within the Spicer Area normal ranges for Tyson. The 2017 Walleye year class (fry stocked) comprised 29% of the 2022 Walleye catch. Current fish management activities on Tyson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the Southwestern Prairie Outdoors Club with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Tyson fishery will be sampled for all fish species in 2027 and periodically in the fall during fry stocked years for YOY Walleye.

A standard survey was conducted during mid-June of 2022 on Tyson Lake. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Tyson is a small (147 acres), shallow (8 feet maximum depth), periodically aerated, and productive lake located in Yellow Medicine County. Residential development is limited to one farm site on the south shore. Nutrient runoff into Tyson is from agricultural row crops. Tyson Lake is connected to a shallow wetland along the east shore. Water levels were low in 2022. Water clarity was good during June of 2022 (6.0 feet). Blue-green algae blooms are common and intense in Tyson Lake. Common Carp are not present in Tyson. A partial summerkill of primarily Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnows, and Orangespotted Sunfish occurred in July of 2002. Winterkill rarely occurs on Tyson Lake unlike nearby Wood Lake. Adequate oxygen levels (> 3 ppm) were maintained by aeration system during the 2022-23 winter which had extreme snow events. No winterkill occurred in Tyson or nearby Wood unlike many other southern Minnesota lakes. Submergent vegetation present during 2022 included sago pondweed, coontail and northern milfoil especially in the near shore areas. Emergent vegetation consists mainly of bulrush and cattail species scattered throughout the shoreline areas. Shoalwater substrates are mostly silt and sand. Tyson is managed primarily for Walleye and Yellow Perch. Shore angling occurs at the public access dock and along the highway road right away next to the culverts at the west end of the lake. Black Bullhead were abundant (172.00 fish/gillnet and 82.89 fish/trapnet) in 2022 survey nets and comparable to historical average catch rates (192.65 fish/gillnet and 87.47 fish/trapnet) for Tyson. Black Bullhead average size was moderate (0.43 pounds and 8.8 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.33 pounds from gillnets. Black Crappie abundance was low (0.78 fish/trapnet) in 2022. Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 0.28 fish/trapnet. The Black Crappie gillnet catch rate was also low (2.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The 2022 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.62 pounds and 10.1 inches) from trapnets. The largest Black Crappie captured was 11.4 inches in 2022. Bluegill were abundant (10.44 fish/trapnet) in the 2022 compared to the historical average (3.46 fish/trapnet). Bluegill were not captured in 2017 trapnets or gillnets. The 2022 Bluegill average size was small (0.07 pounds, 4.4 inches) from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (6.0 inches plus) Bluegill was low (0.22 fish/trapnet). The largest Bluegill captured was 8.7 inches in 2022. Adult Bluegill (2,037 fish, 291 pounds) were last stocked by the DNR in Tyson during July of 2004. Adult Bluegill were purchased by the Southwestern Prairie Outdoors Club (formerly Wood Lake Sportsman's Club) and stocked during mid-June of 2020 (3,000 fish, 300 pounds) and 2021 (2,000 fish, 200 pounds) by a private aqua culturist into Tyson Lake. Green Sunfish abundance was low (1.33 fish/trapnet) in 2022. The historical average catch rate is 0.88 fish/trapnet for Tyson. The 2022 Green Sunfish average size was small (0.07 pounds and 4.4 inches) from trapnets. Orangespotted Sunfish were abundant and small sized in 2022 trapnets (14.00 fish/trapnet, 3.3 inches). Orangespotted Sunfish historical average catch rate is 5.68 fish/trapnet. Hybrid Sunfish were also abundant and small sized in 2022 (9.11 fish/trapnet, 4.4 inches) compared to the historical average (1.21 fish/trapnet). The largest Hybrid Sunfish was 7.8 inches in the 2022 survey. Yellow Perch were abundant (79.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022 compared to the historical average catch rate of 15.65 fish/gillnet for Tyson. The 2022 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.25 pounds and 8.0 inches) from gillnets. The historical average length is 8.0 inches from gillnets. The catch rate of quality size (8.0 inches plus) Yellow Perch was high (35.00 fish/gillnet). The largest Yellow Perch captured was 11.3 inches in 2022. Yellow Perch growth rates were excellent for ages 1-4. The 2020 and 2021 Yellow Perch year classes comprised 42% and 38% respectively of the 2022 Yellow Perch survey catch. Yellow Perch adults were stocked in April of 2017 (1,050 fish, 150 pounds). It is unknown the extent the last stocking had on the present Yellow Perch population in Tyson. The 2013-14 Yellow Perch year classes responded positively in similar nearby lakes following partial winterkills. Walleye natural reproduction has been generally insignificant based on previous surveys and analysis for Tyson. The Walleye population is due mostly to fry stockings (83,000 to 287,000 fish per stocking) in Tyson. Walleye fry have been recently stocked into Tyson during 2010-2011, 2013-2014, 2017, 2021-22. Approximately 83,000 Walleye fry were stocked in 2022. Walleye yearlings and adults were stocked in Tyson during 2003 (434 pounds, 1,304 fish), 2020 (250 pounds, 301 fish) and 2021 (100 pounds, 49 adults). A fall electrofishing survey was last conducted in 2017 to evaluate a spring Walleye fry stocking (169,772 fry). There were abundant numbers of young of year "YOY" Walleye (125.46 YOY/hour, 5.0 inches average length) captured in the 2017 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye (126.00 YOY/hour, 5.7 inches average length) were also captured in 2014. The highest Tyson YOY Walleye catch rate (378.46 YOY/hour, 4.9 inches average length) occurred in 2008. The Tyson Lake fall electrofishing historical average catch rate and length are 90.36 YOY/hour and 5.9 inches respectively. Walleye were abundant in (16.00 fish/gillnet) 2022 gillnets. Walleye historical average catch rate is 9.42 fish/gillnet for Tyson. The 2022 Walleye average sizes were moderate for gillnets (2.50 pounds and 18.3 inches) and trapnets (2.57 pounds and 18.4 inches). The Walleye historical average weights are 1.60 pounds from gillnets and 1.49 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (15.0 inches plus) Walleye was high (14.00 fish/gillnet). The catch rate of preferred size (20.0 inches plus) Walleye was also high (5.00 fish/gillnet). The largest Walleye captured was 25.20 inches in 2022. Walleye growth rates were good for ages 1-8. The 2017 Walleye year class (fry stocked) comprised 29% of the 2022 Walleye catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Tyson is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Current fish management activities on Tyson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the Southwestern Prairie Outdoors Club with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Tyson fishery will be sampled for all fish species in 2027 and in the fall of 2023 for YOY Walleye.

A standard survey was conducted during mid-June of 2017 on Tyson Lake. A fall night electrofishing survey for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye was conducted on Tyson during late August of 2017. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Tyson is a small (147 acres), shallow (8 feet maximum depth), periodically aerated, and productive lake located in Yellow Medicine County. Residential development is limited to one farm site on the south shore. Nutrient runoff into Tyson is from agricultural row crops. Tyson Lake is connected to a shallow wetland along the east shore. Water clarity was fair during June of 2017 (3.2 feet). Blue-green algae blooms are common and intense in Tyson Lake. An intense blue-green algae bloom was present during the 2017 fall electrofishing survey. Common Carp are not present in Tyson. A partial summerkill of primarily Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnows, and Orangespotted Sunfish occurred in July of 2002. Submergent vegetation is limited to primarily sago pondweed, water moss, and filamentous algae, especially in the near shore areas. Emergent vegetation consists mainly of bulrush and cattail species scattered throughout the shoreline areas. Shoalwater substrates are mostly silt and sand. Tyson is managed primarily for Walleye and Yellow Perch. There are good fishing opportunities for Walleye and large sized Yellow Perch based on the 2017 survey. Black Bullhead numbers were moderately abundant in 2017 (112.00 fish/gillnet, 73.56 fish/trapnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rates are 195.60 fish/gillnet and 88.13 fish/trapnet for Tyson. The 2017 Black Bullhead average size was moderate (0.32 pounds and 8.25 inches). Black Crappie numbers were low in 2017 (1.00 fish/trapnet), but above the historical average catch rate (0.21 fish/trapnet) for Tyson. The 2017 Black Crappie average size was large (0.75 pounds and 10.98 inches). Black Crappie growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-5. The Black Crappie captured in the 2017 survey were from 2012, 2013 and 2014 year classes. Bluegill were not captured in 2017 survey. The Bluegill historical catch rate is 2.46 fish/trapnet for Tyson. Adult Bluegill (2,037 fish, 291 pounds) were last stocked in Tyson during July of 2004. Yellow Perch numbers were moderately abundant in 2017 (18.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. Yellow Perch abundance in the previous 2012 survey was low (0.50 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 6.60 fish/gillnet for Tyson. The 2017 Yellow Perch size was large (0.68 pounds and 11.14 inches) from gillnets and trapnets combined. Yellow Perch growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-5. The 2013 Yellow Perch year class comprised 94% of the 2017 Yellow Perch assessment catch. Yellow Perch adults were last stocked in April of 2017 (1,050 fish, 0.14 pounds average size). It is unknown the extent the last stocking had on the present Yellow Perch population in Tyson. The 2013-14 Yellow Perch year classes responded positively in similar nearby lakes following partial winterkills. Walleye natural reproduction in Tyson is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous surveys and historical data review. Walleye fry have been recently stocked (140,000 to 290,000 fish) into Tyson during 2010-2011, 2013-2014 and 2017. Walleye yearlings and adults were last stocked in Tyson during 2003 (434 pounds and 1,304 fish). There were abundant numbers of young of year "YOY" Walleye (125.46 YOY/hour, 5.03 inches average length) captured in the 2017 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye (126.00 YOY/hour, 5.67 inches average length) were also captured in 2014. Walleye were moderately abundant in 2017 summer survey (10.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range of similar lakes. The Walleye historical average catch rate is 8.48 fish/gillnet for Tyson. The 2017 Walleye average size was moderate (0.97 pounds and 14.10 inches). Walleye growth rates were below the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-3, but within the normal ranges for ages 4-6. The 2014 Walleye year classes (fry stocked) comprised 79% of the 2017 Walleye catch. Current fish management activities on Tyson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the Wood Lake Sportsman's Club with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Tyson fishery will be sampled for all fish species in 2022 and in the fall of 2019 for YOY Walleye.

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

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

Tyson has a maximum depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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