Lake information report

Name: Cass

Public Access Information

Fishing Regulations:

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2008 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2008 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 guidelines 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 high enough to warrant a recommendation 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 07/01/2008)

Cass Lake water levels are affected by the operation of two dams on the Mississippi River. Otter Tail Power Company operates a dam upstream, just below Stump Lake. At the Cass Lake outlet is Knutson Dam, owned and operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians operates a commercial fishery for lake whitefish and cisco on the Cass Lake chain. A limited subsistence fishery for game species is also allowed for Band members. The only MN-DNR special fishing regulations currently in effect are a 48-inch minimum length limit for muskellunge and a ban on winter spearing for Cass Lake proper (excluding the remainder of the chain of lakes). A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund cleanup site exists on Pike Bay near the south side of Cass Lake. The EPA has placed a consumption advisory on lake whitefish from Cass Lake and Pike Bay due to elevated body burdens of dioxins in this species.

Present Fish Population Status The walleye population of Cass Lake is healthy and is comprised of good numbers of fish distributed among numerous size and age classes. The 2008 gill net catch rate was 9.7 fish per net, and slightly below the long-term median catch rate (13 fish/net). Historic data indicate that overall walleye biomass was slightly higher during the 1990s than in recent years. Twelve consecutive year classes of walleye were sampled in 2008 with the oldest fish representing the 1996 year class (age 12). The strong 2001 and 2002 year classes have provided good numbers of fish from 20 to 22 inches. Fourteen percent of the gill net catch was greater than 20 inches in length. The 2006 year class is shaping up to be the strongest year class since 2002. This year class averaged 12.5 inches in length during fall gill netting. Approximately 70% of the sample consisted of fish less than age-3 with a similar percentage of fish less than 15 inches. These fish should provide good fishing opportunities for the next several years as they grow to a desirable size. The gill net catch rate for yellow perch (49 per net) was similar to the long-term median (48 per net). Approximately 20% of the sample consisted of perch 8 inches or larger, and 4% were 10 inches or larger. The length distribution of yellow perch in 2008 was nearly identical to the long-term median distribution with fish up to 12 inches. There is some evidence that quality of this population has decreased over the past 30 years, as indicated by an overall gradual decline in average fish size. The 2007 northern pike catch rate of 3.5 fish per net was slightly greater than the long-term median of 2.9 fish per gill net. The size structure of the pike population is good with approximately 30% of the sample was composed of northern pike greater than 26 inches with 13% greater than 30 inches. Muskellunge are not sampled effectively with gill nets and few are seen during annual gill net assessments. The 2008 creel survey showed the muskellunge catch rate to be the highest on record (0.04 fish/angler hour). The average length of a released fish was 37 inches with the largest fish recorded during the survey measuring 47 inches.?

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 2114 Bemidji Ave Bemidji, MN 56601 Phone: (218) 308-2339 Internet: Bemidji Fisheries E-Mail: Bemidji.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 B0041 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