Lake information report

Name: Gull

Nearest Town: Nisswa Primary County: Cass Survey Date: 07/16/2007 Inventory Number: 11030500

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Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2007 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2007 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 07/16/2007)

Gull Lake, at 9,418 acres, is one of the largest and most popular lakes in the Brainerd area. The lake is heavily developed with 27.8 homes/cabins per shoreline mile and 19 resorts of various types and sizes as of 1996. The maximum depth is 80' and about 30% of the lake is 15' deep or less. Shallow water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel, although areas of rubble and boulder are also common. The aquatic plant community is quite diverse with 35 species present and is critical to maintaining healthy fish populations. Emergent plants such as bulrush are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and provide essential spawning habitat for bass and panfish species. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species.

The 2007 walleye catch of 8.5/gill net is the highest to date on Gull lake. Average length and weight were 14.6" and 1.3 lbs. Twelve different year classes were represented with age 2 and age 4 (2005 and 2003 year classes, respectively) accounting for 59% of the gill net catch. These 2 year classes have accounted for much of the angler harvest in 2006 and 2007.

Northern pike abundance was typical of past catches at 4.1/gill net in 2007. Average length and weight were also similar at 25.8" and 4.0 lbs. The 2004 and 2003 year classes (age 3 and 4) were the strongest, accounting for 57% of all northern pike sampled. These fish measured approximately 19" to 27".

Tullibee and yellow perch are important forage species for the lake's game fish. The yellow perch catch was lower than past catches on Gull lake, but at 18.3/gill net was still average when compared to similar lakes. Tullibee abundance was also the lowest to date at 0.5/gill net. A lack of thermal habitat in 2007 resulted in large die offs of tullibee and is likely responsible at least in part for the recent decline in tullibee abundance.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 1601 Minnesota Dr Brainerd, MN 56401 Phone: (218) 828-2550 Internet: Brainerd Fisheries E-Mail: Brainerd.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 B0105 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