Mink Lake

How big is Mink Lake?

How deep is Mink Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Mink Lake?

What are the closest cities to Mink Lake?

Are there boat launches on Mink Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Mink Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Mink Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Mink Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Mink Lake?

Mink Lake is 301 acre lake located three miles northwest of the City of Maple Lake in Wright County. Mink and Somers lakes are connected by a navigable channel and were reclaimed in 1994 due to an overabundance of Common Carp. Since that time, an aeration system has been deployed as needed, but Mink Lake still experienced a partial winterkill in 2001. A suite of special regulations are currently in place and include daily possession limits of five sunfish and five crappie, a 17 inch minimum size limit on Walleye with a three fish possession limit, 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 of live minnows is also prohibited. The last survey was conducted in 2016.

Mink Lake has a small watershed and primary land uses include row crops, pasture, and open water. Water clarity is poor and MPCA data show a 10-year average Secchi depth of three feet. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish down to 12 feet. Cattail and white waterlily were the primary emergent species, and covered less than 12% of the lake. Curly-leaf pondweed did not appear to be as widespread as had been observed in previous years.

Largemouth Bass were captured by daytime electrofishing in early June in low numbers. Lengths ranged from 7 to 19 inches with an average length of 12 inches. Forty percent of bass were 15 inches or longer.

The Walleye population in Mink Lake is sustained through fingerling stocking during odd numbered years. The Walleye catch in 2021 was similar to 2016 and within the expected range of values for lakes similar to Mink. Walleye size was large; lengths ranged from 19 to 27 inches with an average length of 22 inches. Only 12 Walleye were captured in the survey, representing five age classes. High pike numbers likely hinder fingerling survival.

Northern Pike numbers in 2021 decreased from 2016 but remained within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Mink. Northern Pike size remained large. Lengths in 2021 ranged from 18 to 38 inches with an average length of 26 inches; 68% of the catch were longer than 24 inches and 19% were longer than 30 inches. Anglers can help improve the fishery by harvesting smaller pike (<24") and hopefully increasing Walleye survival.

The Bluegill catch in 2021 was higher than 2016 and above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Lengths in 2021 ranged from 3 to 9 inches with an average length of 6 inches. Less than 1% of Bluegill sampled were 8 inches or longer.
Black Crappie numbers were above the expected range of values for similar lakes, but the average size was small. Lengths ranged from 4 to 13 inches with an average length of 6 inches. Only 3 percent of crappie sampled were 10 inches or longer.

The Yellow Perch catch in 2021 was within the expected range of values and similar to 2016 and 2011. Perch ranged in length from 5 to 9 inches with an average length of 7 inches. Yellow Perch catch rates have fluctuated widely, likely influenced by Northern Pike abundance.

Common Carp were first found in 2001 and were small and numerous. Since then, their numbers have been very low (only one in 2021) and no small carp have been captured. Pumpkinseed was the only other species captured in 2021.

What is the average air temp for Mink Lake?