Preliminary Survey Results

These survey results are provisional data gathered from various surveys we complete to monitor the fish populations in the Little Falls Management Area (Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Todd counties). The complete final reports will come out in the following spring.

Ice out summaries 2012

Each year we sample several lakes just as the ice comes off in an effort to get a good grasp of northern pike, walleye and muskie numbers and length distributions. We use trap nets in shallow water to live trap the fish, measure them and release them. Sometimes we take scales, fin rays or spines to get a better idea of age. Please let us know if you have questions.

Bass electrofishing summaries 2012

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are typically sampled during the spring by electrofishing. Electricity was run through the water using a specialized boat at night, to temporarily stun the fish so they could be netted. The average catch rate of largemouth bass in Little Falls area lakes is 47/hour.

Bass electrofishing summaries 2010

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are typically sampled during the spring by electrofishing. Electricity was run through the water using a specialized boat at night, to temporarily stun the fish so they could be netted. The average catch rate of largemouth bass in Little Falls area lakes is 47/hour.

* Indicates daytime sampling

Ice out summaries 2010

Each year we sample several lakes just as the ice comes off in an effort to get a good grasp of northern pike, walleye and muskie numbers and length distributions. We use trap nets in shallow water to live trap the fish, measure them and release them. Sometimes we take scales, fin rays or spines to get a better idea of age. Please let us know if you have questions.

Lake Survey Summaries 2010

Typical surveys are completed on our area lakes using gill nets to assess walleye, northern pike and perch while trapnets are used to sample fish species that are generally in shallower water such as, bluegill and crappie. We will typically be posting the three or four most prevalent game species caught in the survey.  Please give us a call or drop an email if you have further questions. 

Panfish assessments 2010

In the Little Falls area we have found it valuable to check bluegill and crappie populations through trap netting just prior to or during their spawning activity. Often times we are able to see some of the largest representatives in the population. We set trap nets, typically, for no more than two days in a row. We count, measure and take aging structures from some of the fish and return them.