Lake information report

Name: Rachel

Nearest Town: Holmes City Primary County: Douglas Survey Date: 06/26/2006 Inventory Number: 21016000

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Public Access Information

Fishing Regulations:

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2006 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species Sampled for the 2006 Survey Year

Fish Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

Fish Consumption Guidelines

No fish consumption guidelines are available for this lake. For more information, see the "Fish Consumption Advice" pages at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Status of the Fishery (as of 06/26/2006)

Rachel Lake is a 496-acre natural basin located in south central Douglas County near Holmes City. Maximum depth is 65 ft. Water quality and clarity are typically very good, although significant annual variability is noted. The MPCA aquatic recreation use rating is "fully supporting". Average water transparency from May - September is 9.5 ft. Rachel Lake supports a diverse aquatic plant community. Habitat attributes are typically of a "Bass-Panfish" ecological classification.

Lake area and habitat characteristics have varied over the last 20 years. Heavy rains in the mid-80s resulted in significant increase in water level. An outlet was constructed in 2003, but lake elevation remains near the ordinary high water mark. Much of the basin's emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush and cattail) was lost. Other environmental impacts have included shoreline erosion and loss of trees along the shoreline. Some portion of fisheries impacts was offset by navigable connection to Little Rachel Lake. This shallow wetland-type habitat afforded sustained access to spawning, cover, and nursery habitats for northern pike and sunfishes.

Habitat changes did result in shifts in fish community structure, but throughout the duration of environmental flux, Rachel Lake has sustained diverse, high-quality fishing experiences. Northern pike remain abundant. Gillnet catches averaged 8.4 pike/net. Survey statistics suggest a 24.0-inch maximum length limit imposed in 1997 may have been effective in reducing total standing stock of northern pike and positively reshaping size distribution. Thirteen percent of stock-size northern pike captured in the 2006 survey exceeded 28.0 inches in total length. Average size has increased to 24.3 inches and 3.1 pounds. Contrary to expectations of reduced total abundance and a broader size distribution, average growth slowed. Slower growth rates may be a function of stabilization of the water level and habitat conditions.

Largemouth bass electrofishing catches averaged 62.0 fish/hour. Population statistics indicate exploitation is light. Despite abundance, 50% of 2006 captures exceeded 15.0 inches in total length. The largest fish captured measured 18.1 inches. Average size was 14.2 inches and 1.7 pounds.

Bluegill continue to be abundant. Survey catches have consistently exceeded that considered normal for similar lakes. Size distribution of the bluegill population has been variable in response to annual recruitment irregularity. Bluegill growth can be described as "slow", but fortunately sunfish are long-lived. Rachel Lake can produce large bluegill. Fifty-seven percent of individuals in the 2002 capture sample exceeded 8.0 inches in length. Fewer big fish were captured in 2006 in probable response to good fishing experiences and greater total harvest. It takes nine years for a bluegill to grow to 8.0 inches, thus it is relatively easy to degrade fishing quality, in terms of average size harvested, with modest size-selective harvest.

Black crappie are present, but insufficient numbers were captured to gain a meaningful assessment of abundance, growth, and age distribution. This species was likely suspended in deeper water rather than occupying shoreline habitat, thus capture efficiency was poor.

Walleye fingerlings or yearlings are stocked on a biennial schedule in order to sustain a viable fishery. As characteristic of lakes with abundant northern pike and sunfish populations, relative contributions of stockingare less than that of fertile, lightly vegetated lakes. Catch rates have been consistently low among all surveys. Walleye catches have tended to be greater when northern pike numbers are low. Growth is average. Representatives of the 2006 population sample averaged 13.4 inches in total length at age-3. Fishing quality in terms of catch and harvest rates are partially offset by size. Average size captured was 15.8 inches and 1.9 pounds.

If fishing Rachel Lake for the first time, there are a few things to consider and remember. High water has greatly diminished utility of the public access. There is little room to turn around or park. The shoreline has been weakened by high water. Minimize amplitude of boat wakes to protect sensitive shoreline. Northern pike harvest is regulated by a 24.0-inch maximum length limit. Enjoy catching medium- and large-size northern pike and ensure success of the regulation by harvesting small pike. Rachel Lake now has navigable connection with Little Rachel Lake. The northern pike harvest regulation applies to both basins. Lastly, minimize harvest of large bluegill and maximize harvest of 5.0 - 7.0 inch fish to improve predatory/prey relationships and take advantage of this harvestable surplus. ?

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 23070 North Lakeshore Dr Glenwood, MN 56334 Phone: (320) 634-4573 Internet: Glenwood Fisheries E-Mail: Glenwood.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 C0975 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