Wells Lake

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Wells Lake

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Wells Lake is a 634-acre lake located in Rice County west of the city of Faribault. The lake is accessible by boat from Cannon Lake. Wells Lake is a very shallow, eutrophic lake with a maximum depth of 4 feet. Wells Lake is managed primarily for Walleye. Although no stocking takes place, Walleye and other game fish regularly migrate into Wells Lake from Cannon Lake and other lakes within the Cannon River chain.

A targeted survey was conducted the week of August 17, 2020 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying nine gill nets as well as recording water quality parameters. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only gillnets were used in order to comply with social distancing protocols. Results from this survey can be compared to historical standard surveys since standardized methods were used.

Walleye abundance in Wells Lake increased from 0.3 fish/gill net in 2009 to a record high 23.8 fish/gill net in 2014. In 2020, the Walleye catch rate was 11.4/gill net. Walleye lengths ranged from 13.1 to 27.3 inches and averaged 17.5 inches. Fifty-eight percent of Walleye sampled were age-1, indicating a strong year class from 2019. These young Walleye most likely migrated into Wells Lake from Cannon Lake, which was stocked with Walleye fry in 2019. Wells and Cannon Lake are directly connected by water under a bridge, so the likelihood of fish migration is high. The warm, shallow, productive waters of Wells Lake may serve as a nursery habitat for Walleye and other young game fish to grow in early life stages before migrating throughout the Cannon River chain of lakes.

Yellow Perch catch rates in Wells Lake have varied greatly throughout the survey history, as abundance is dependent on spawning success from year to year. The Yellow Perch gill net catch rate in Wells Lake dropped from 29.8 fish/net in 2014 to 15.8 fish/net in 2020. This catch rate was below the long-term average for Wells Lake (20.9 fish/net). Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 3.0 to 11.1 inches and averaged 6.7 inches. Yellow Perch populations throughout the Cannon River chain of lakes tend to be comprised of small fish, however some Yellow Perch angling takes place.

Northern Pike abundance in Wells Lake has been relatively low throughout the survey history. The 2020 gill net catch rate of 0.9 fish/net was slightly below the long-term average for Wells Lake (1.2 fish/net). Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 11.0 to 30.1inches and averaged 23.8 inches. All Northern Pike collected in this survey were age-3 (2017 year class) or younger. No Northern Pike stocking takes place in Wells Lake, so the population exists from either natural reproduction or migration from other lakes within the Cannon River chain. Wells Lake is located in the Southern Northern Pike management zone. In order to harvest a Northern Pike the fish must be over 24.0 inches in length. The daily bag limit in this zone is 2 Northern Pike per day.

Due to the Covid-19 social distancing protocols trap nets were not used in 2020. The Black Crappie population in Wells Lake remains in moderately low abundance. The 2014 trap net catch rate was 3.1 fish/net. This was an increase from the 2009 survey when the catch rate was 1.3 fish/trap net and compares to the long-term average for Wells Lake of 4.0 fish/net. Black Crappie were collected in gill nets in 2020 at a rate of 1.4 fish/net. Lengths of Black Crappie collected in gill nets ranged from 6.3 to 13.4 inches, with 92% of the catch measuring less than 10.0 inches.
Bluegill abundance remains low in Wells Lake. The 2014 catch rate was 1.4 fish/net, which was below the long-term average of 2.0 fish/net and right at the minimum rate for the second quartile range for Lake Class 43 (1.4 - 3.9 fish/net). Bluegill lengths ranged from 4.3 to 9.1 inches, with 77% measuring less than 6.0 inches. Bluegill populations tend to struggle in lakes with minimal vegetation, such as Wells Lake.

White Bass abundance in Wells Lake has fluctuated in recent history, with gill net catch rates ranging from 57.8 fish/net in 1999 to 4.8 fish/net in 2009. The 2020 gill net catch rate of White Bass was 22.8 fish/net, which is above the interquartile range for Lake Class 43 (0.3 - 9.9 fish/net). Lengths ranged from 4.9 to 16.3 inches, and averaged 7.5 inches. The Cannon River chain of lakes, including Wells Lake, have quality White Bass populations and offer a valuable angling opportunity, especially with population demographics like that of Wells Lake. White Bass can be caught throughout the year, including through the ice, and are considered great table fare.

Black bullhead typically thrive in shallow, eutrophic lakes similar to Wells Lake. However, the abundance in Wells Lake has remained low for years until 2020. The 2020 catch rate in gill nets was 109 fish/net, which is the historic high, and ranks in the third quartile for Lake Class 43 (75.6 - 150.6 fish/net). The population consisted of mostly small individuals, with lengths ranging from 4.8 to 15.0 inches. Ninety-four percent of the catch measured 8 inches or smaller.

Common Carp were collected in moderate abundance in 2020, with a total of 63 fish sampled from gill nets. While Common Carp catch rates have varied in Wells Lake, abundance has always been relatively high. Common Carp thrive in shallow, eutrophic lakes like Wells Lake. Freshwater Drum and White Sucker were also abundant. Other fish species collected included Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and Golden Shiner.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

-Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

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