Great news for those who fish!

Zint Kics, LLPOA board member in charge of wildlife and fishing, recently spent his time checking back with the DNR concerning the research they did last year on Lone Lake.  He shares the good news he received with you below.During the June 2024 Lone Lake water quality survey, the DNR utilized near shore seine nets and back pack electro fishing to determine the lakes IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity). The IBI is a tool used to identify the health of a body of water. This includes water quality and pollution levels as well as fish populations and mix of species.  

According to Rick Bruesewitz, MN DNR: "This survey showed a very nice mix of species such that the score for the lake is at the “Exceptional” level, which means really good.  As such, it is very likely the Brainerd IBI staff may come back either this year or next to repeat the nearshore survey, just to confirm that status".  I asked Rick about a rumor that the DNR is considering stocking Lone Lake with lake trout. Although our lake is healthy, lake trout need a higher oxygen level to survive than Lone Lake could supply. According to Rick; Lake Trout (as a rule of thumb, need 5 ppm Oxygen at 50 degrees and our lake is at 0.4 - 0.7 ppm oxygen at 50 degrees and does not meet these criteria. 

This spring the DNR stocked Lone Lake with 247 pounds of 2 year old walleyes. These walleyes were 10 to 12 inches in length. Last year's stocking of walleye fry (newly hatched, 0.4 - 1.2 inches) didn’t go as well as expected. Lone Lake will be added to the list of lakes to be stocked this fall with fingerling walleye, (4 – 6 inches in length). 

Happy Fishing!