Lake information report

Name: Edward

Nearest Town: Merrifield Primary County: Crow Wing Survey Date: 07/14/2008 Inventory Number: 18030500

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Public Access Information

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 07/14/2008)

Edward Lake is a 2,032 acre lake located just north of Merrifield in Crow Wing County. A public access is located on the west side of the lake. The lake is heavily developed, with 189 homes/cabins and three resorts having a total of 37 cabins and 28 RV campsites, along 9.4 miles of shoreline. The lake's maximum depth is 75' and about 59% of the lake is 15' deep or less. Shallow water substrate is predominately sand. The aquatic plant community is relatively diverse. Emergent plants are common along the shoreline and species such as hardstem bulrush are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality and providing essential spawning habitat for bass and panfish species. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species.

Walleyes are stocked annually, as fry, at 2 million/year. The 2008 catch dropped into the "low" category for the first time since 1987. Eleven year classes were sampled and growth remained "average." Size averaged 19.2" and 2.87 lbs, a slight increase from 2002

Northern pike abundance was at an all tine high in 2008. The dominant year classes were at ages 2 and 3. Only 9% of measured pike were at least 24" long. Pike averaged only 17.6" and 1.35 pounds in 2008. The high abundance of young pike combined with a low perch abundance is probably responsible for the low walleye catch in 2008.

Largemouth bass abundance was "high" in gill nets and "average" in trap nets. The catch in spring electrofishing dropped from the 2002 rate of 73.5/hr to 40.7/hr in 2008. However, the average size increased somewhat in 2008.

Black crappies were sampled in average numbers in 2008. Forty percent of crappies were at least 8 inches long and 13% exceeded 12 inches long. Bluegills dropped in abundance compared to 2002 but remained in the "average" abundance category for the lake class. The bluegill size profile increased since 2002 and 58% were at least 7" long and 12% exceeded 8" long. ?

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 B0061 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