Lake information report

Name: Hill

Nearest Town: Hill City Primary County: Aitkin Survey Date: 07/26/2010 Inventory Number: 01014200

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Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2010 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2010 Survey Year

Fish Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelin es enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.

Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15

General Population

DOWID - MN DNR, Divion of Waters' lake ID number.

Contaminants listed were measured at levels that trigger advice to limit consumption.

Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.

Dioxin
Mercury
PCBS - Polychlorinated biphenyls
PFOS - Perfluorooctane sulfanate

Status of the Fishery (as of 07/26/2010)

Hill Lake is one of the larger lakes in Aitkin County at 907 acres and is located on the east side of Hill City. The lake has a maximum depth of 48 ft. and is divided into two distinct basins by Highway 200. Hill Lake has a long history of fisheries management activities dating back to an initial survey conducted in 1948. Hill is primarily managed for walleye through alternate year supplemental fry stocking. Currently, Hill Lake is scheduled to undergo intensive monitoring 2008-2011 as part of a larger sampling program called SLICE (Sustaining Lakes In a Changing Environment). This program includes annual trap net assessments, ice-out trapping for northern pike, spring electrofishing for largemouth bass, gill net assessments in 2009 and 2010, as well as a variety of other biological and chemical samplings by other branches of the DNR and other state agencies. The aquatic plant community in Hill Lake is relatively diverse with a narrow band of moderately dense plant growth rimming both basins. Plants grow in approximately 2/3 of the smaller southern basin though reduced water clarity limits how deep these plants can grow. A variety of game fish are found in Hill Lake with relatively healthy populations of desirable species, with walleye being the primary focus of many anglers.

Gill net catches of walleye have ranged from a low of 4/net in 1948 to a high of 14/net in 1980. The 2010 catch of 7.9/net is typical of past catches on Hill Lake, and well above average when compared to similar lakes across Minnesota and Aitkin County. Growth of these fish was average, and although the average size decreased slightly from 2009 to 1.25 lbs, this was largely a result of a very strong 2007 year class recruiting into the gear. Fish as large as 27 inches were observed in the gill nets. The lake is stocked with fry in alternate years and both stocked fry and natural reproduction contribute to the fishery.

Northern pike abundance has been relatively stable, typically averaging 2 - 5/gill net, which is relatively low when compared to similar lakes. The 2010 catch of 2.7/net was no exception. Growth rates are relatively good, likely due to ample yellow perch and white sucker populations and 28% of the fish sampled by gill net measured at least 24". Larger fish were sampled in spring assessment (over 39 inches) indicating quality sized fish are attainable, though harvest by anglers may be limiting the number of fish reaching these larger sizes. Hill Lake has the potential to provide quality northern pike angling experiences, but will require angler cooperation by releasing more medium and large size fish in order to accomplish this more than just occasionally.

Gill net and electrofishing catches indicate that the abundance of largemouth bass has increased in the last decade. Growth rates are better than most other local lakes with fish over 18" observed in each of the last three assessments. Recent recruitment has been good with fish present each year from 1999-2007.

While bluegill and black crappie populations were not particularly abundant, size was good for both species. Average length for crappies was 8.3". The size distribution also looked good for the bluegill population, with some fish observed over 9 inches.

Yellow perch and white suckers are important prey species for the lake's game fish. Yellow perch abundance has been extremely variable in the past, but was again relatively low in 2010 at 3.5/gill net. White sucker were sampled in average numbers.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor PO Box 138 1200 Minnesota Ave S Aitkin, MN 56431 Phone: (218) 927-7503 Internet: Aitkin Fisheries E-Mail: Aitkin.Fisheries@state.mn.us	Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore 660 Olive Street St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757 To order, use B0381 for the map-id.
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us	Turn in Poachers (TIP):     Toll-free: (800) 652-9093