Fox Lake Fishing guide

Fox Lake was surveyed the week of 24 July 2023 by the MN DNR as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program. This survey included deploying 5 gill nets and 12 trap nets.

Black Crappie relative abundance was 2.2/trap net. The 2023 trap net catch rate was less than the previous survey in 2017 (3.5/trap net) and less than the lake average since 1996 of 2.6/trap net. Black Crappie were also sampled with gill nets at a rate of 5.2/gill net which was less than the lake average since 1996 (8.9/gill net), and the previous survey in 2017 (16.8/gill net). The average length of Black Crappie sampled with trap nets was 5.8 inches and ranged from 4.1 inches to 10.2 inches. Black Crappie sampled in gill nets ranged from 4.3 inches to 10.3 inches with an average of 6.0 inches. Black Crappie were aged using scales and otoliths. Five year-classes of Black Crappie were present during the survey (2017, 2018, and 2020-2022). Eighty-one percent of aged Black Crappie were age-1 (2022 year class). Black Crappie management goals (15.0/gill net and 15% greater than 8 inches) were not met in 2023.

Fox Lake supports a good population of Walleye when compared to other class 24 lakes, with catch rates often exceeding the upper quartile for class 24 lakes. Walleye were sampled at a rate of 11.6/gill net in 2023, up from 10.4/gill net in 2017. Size structure of the Walleye population was dominated by lengths preferred by anglers; average length was 19.2 inches and Walleye ranged from 10.0 inches to 22.5 inches. Walleye were aged using scales and otoliths and seven year-classes (2013-2016, 2018-2020) were sampled. Walleye fry are stocked in even years meaning the 2013, 2015, and 2019 year-classes likely were the result of natural reproduction. Walleye average length at age-1 was 8.5 inches, 15.1 inches at age-3, and 16.7 inches at age-4. Walleye management goals (6.0/gill net) were exceeded in 2023.

Past surveys have indicated low Northern Pike abundance in this system, despite watershed stocking of fry every two-of-three years. However, Northern Pike relative abundance in 2023 was 17.0/gill net, which was nearly triple the lake average since 1996 (6.1/gill net). Average length of Northern Pike sampled in gill nets was 22.7 inches and lengths ranged from 17.6 inches to 29.1 inches. Only 21% of Northern Pike sampled exceeded minimum length-limit of 24 inches. The Northern Pike management goal of 4.0/gill net was met in 2023.

Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 26.3/trap net which was greater than the 2017 survey (6.6/trap net). Average length of Bluegills was 5.8 inches and lengths ranged from 2.7 inches to 10.5 inches. Six year-classes of Bluegill were sampled (age-1 through age-6) indicating consistent recruitment. Sixty-two percent of Bluegills sampled were age-1. Bluegill management goals (30.0/trap net and 15% over 8 inches) were not met in 2023.

A daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on 31 May 2023 to assess the Largemouth Bass population in Fox Lake. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 14.5/hour. Largemouth Bass sampled averaged 11.3 inches total length and ranged from 3.3 inches to 17.6 inches. Future standard surveys (every 6 years) will be accompanied by a Largemouth Bass targeted electrofishing survey.

Historically, Yellow Perch have been moderately abundant in Fox Lake. Relative abundance in 2023 (35.4/gill net) was seven times greater than from 2017 (5.2/gill net) and was double the lake average since 1996 (17.5/gill net). Yellow perch sampled in 2017 averaged 6.2 inches in length and ranged from 5.2 inches to 8.4 inches.

Black bullhead populations have declined substantially since surveys done in the early 1990s to the point where Black Bullhead are now rare in Fox Lake. Black Bullheads were captured at a rate of just 0.8/gill net and 0.1/ trap net in 2023.

Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Common Carp, Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), Largemouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead were observed during the 2023 assessment but occurred in low numbers. River species are likely present due to connection with the Cannon River via Circle Lake and Wolf Creek.

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.

-Brandon Eder, assistant area supervisor