Andrew Lake Fishing guide

Andrew lies within the larger Chippewa River Watershed District and sub watershed of Upper Shakopee Creek. The Chippewa River Watershed District was the lead agency for coordinating: nutrient reduction measures, protection from invasive species, information/education, storm water management and the Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project prior to 2019. The local Soil Water Conservation District is currently the lead agency.

A comprehensive set of in-lake and watershed projects since the mid-1990's have been conducted/proposed as part of the Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project (e.g., lakeshore re-vegetation demonstration sites, buffer strips and grassed waterways, wetland restorations, septic system upgrades, livestock exclusion projects and other various agricultural and shoreland best management practice implementations) to reduce nutrient, bacteria and sediment inputs. The Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project was composed of individuals representing several lake associations (Florida, Norway & Games and Andrew), private landowners and various government agency personnel in order more efficiently enact beneficial watershed projects. Thus far, DNR Fisheries has provided assistance with lakeshore re-vegetation and water quality monitoring projects within the watershed.

Black Crappie abundance was low in 2024 (0.67 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (2.26 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie numbers were low in the previous 2019 survey (0.33 fish/trapnet and 1.00 fish/gillnet). The 2024 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.49 pounds and 9.45 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.42 pounds from trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were generally above normal especially for older fish compared to other area lakes. The 2022 and 2019 Black Crappie year classes comprised 44% and 38% respectively of the 2024 Black Crappie survey catch.

Bluegill abundance was moderate in 2024 (33.42 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (31.07 fish/trapnet). Bluegill numbers were low with a moderate average length in the previous 2019 survey (6.67 fish/trapnet, 5.93 inches). The 2024 Bluegill average size was large (0.22 pounds and 6.32 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight and length are 0.15 pounds and 5.63 inches from trapnets. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.94 inches. Approximately 3% of the Bluegill were 8.00 inches or larger from gillnets and trapnets combined. Bluegill growth rates were within or above the normal ranges compared to area lakes. The 2020 year class comprised 46% of the 2024 Bluegill survey catch.

Largemouth Bass spring night electrofishing survey (post spawn) was conducted in Andrew during early June of 2024. Six representative sampling stations were sampled by night electrofishing. The 2024 Largemouth Bass catch rate was high (70.50 fish/hour) with an average size was moderate (0.86 pounds and 11.03 inches). The largest Largemouth Bass captured was 19.21 inches. Growth rates were within or above the normal ranges compared to area lakes. The 2021 year class comprised 52% of the 2024 spring electrofishing catch. A representative Largemouth Bass post spawn night electrofishing survey was first conducted in 2016. The 2016 Largemouth Bass catch rate was moderate (17.59 fish/hour) with an average size of 1.20 pounds and 12.26 inches. Historical spring night electrofishing surveys prior to 2016 were done with a different sampling methodology. Historical Largemouth Bass sampling sites were initially chosen based on the presence of good spawning habitat, varied in length and time shocked, and were sampled during the peak spawning temperature period (55-60 F.). Historical surveys sampled larger spawning fish unlike the current representative sampling methodology which samples a greater variety of sizes.

Northern Pike were numerous in 2024 (10.25 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (6.00 fish/gillnet). Northern Pike numbers were moderate in the previous 2019 survey (5.33 fish/gillnet, 2.63 pounds average weight). The 2024 Northern Pike average size was small (2.00 pounds and 20.07 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.25 pounds from gillnets. Approximately 24% of the Northern Pike were 24.00 inches or larger from the gillnets and trapnets combined. The largest Northern Pike captured was 33.66 inches. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Andrew in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two Northern Pike longer than 26.00 inches; and all from 22.00 to 26.00 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one Northern Pike may be between 22.00 and 26.00 inches or two larger than 26.00 inches.

Walleye abundance was low in 2024 (2.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (6.54 fish/gillnet). Walleye numbers were high, but the average weight was small in the previous 2019 survey (8.33 fish/gillnet, 0.87 pounds). The 2024 Walleye average size was large (2.74 pounds and 19.07 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.88 pounds from gillnets. The largest Walleye captured was 27.24 inches. Approximately 59% of the Walleye captured were over 20.00 inches from gillnets and trapnets combined. Walleye growth rates were generally normal or above compared to area lakes. The 2022 year class comprised 33% of the 2024 Walleye spring and summer survey catch. Excellent Walleye fry survival occurred to the fall fingerling stage in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022. However, low Walleye numbers from other year classes in the 2024 survey indicates low survival (i.e., fishing harvest and/or predation by abundant Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass) from the fingerling/yearling life stage to adulthood.

The Walleye population in Andrew had been due primarily to stocking in the past based on previous surveys. Limited Walleye natural reproduction had been documented by a past fall electrofishing. YOY Walleye numbers during fry stocked years were abundant in fall electrofishing surveys for 2017 (52.00 YOY/hour, 6.61 inches), 2019 (72.00 YOY/hour, 5.61 inches), 2021 (61.33 YOY/hour, 6.07 inches), and 2022 (30.67 YOY/hour, 6.92 inches). YOY Walleye numbers were low in 2024 (4.00 YOY/hour, 6.77 inches). Andrew was recently stocked with Spicer Strain fish in 2017 (300,538 fry), 2019 (294,698 fry), 2021 (277,262 fry), 2022 (220,039 fry), 2023 (201,248 fry), and 2024 (199,948 fry, 3,560 Yearlings, 1,400 Fingerlings, and 9 adults). Yearling and fingerling Walleye were stocked in the 2024 fall in response to the low summer gillnet and fall electrofishing survey catches.

Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2024 (4.75 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (17.27 fish/gillnet). Yellow Perch numbers were also low in the previous 2019 survey (0.67 fish/gillnet). The 2024 Yellow Perch average size was fair (0.11 pounds and 6.14 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.14 pounds. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 8.27 inches.

Black Bullhead abundance was moderate in 2024 (11.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (12.18 fish/gillnet). Black Bullhead numbers were low in the previous 2019 survey (0.33 fish/gillnet, 1.08 fish/trapnet). The 2024 Black Bullhead average size was large (0.59 pounds and 10.14 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.86 pounds from gillnets.

Yellow Bullhead abundance was low in 2024 (2.75 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (4.29 fish/gillnet). The 2024 Yellow Bullhead average size was large (0.81 pounds and 10.92 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Bullhead historical average weight is 0.93 pounds from gillnets.

Freshwater Drum abundance was low in the 2024 gillnets (0.25 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average (2.65 fish/gillnet). Freshwater Drum trapnet abundance in 2024 (1.17 fish/trapnet) was slightly above the historical trapnet catch rate (0.53 fish/trapnet). The 2024 Freshwater Drum average size was moderate (2.74 pounds and 18.16 inches) from trapnets. The Freshwater Drum historical average weight is 3.14 pounds from trapnets. Freshwater Drum are an under-utilized food fish. They are good to eat if prepared properly, especially if the small amounts of red and belly fat meat are trimmed from the fillets. Freshwater Drum are an excellent choice for a fish fry since they can be easy to catch in high numbers. Many good Freshwater Drum recipes can be located on the internet by searching "drum recipes".

Current fish management activities on Andrew include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential new invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Andrew fishery will be surveyed in 2026 and 2027 for YOY Walleye by fall electrofishing, 2029 summer for all fish species, and 2031 spring by electrofishing for Largemouth Bass.