Lake information report

Name: Calhoun

Nearest Town: Minneapolis Primary County: Hennepin Survey Date: 07/27/2009 Inventory Number: 27003100

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Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2009 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2009 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 07/27/2009)

Walleye relative abundance was similar to previous assessments. The gillnet catch of 1.4 fish/net was above the 25th percentile for similar lakes. Few large walleyes were sampled, but the average size was good (17.0 in). This was likely an artifact of the age classes sampled. Despite historically consistent stocking efforts only four year-classes were sampled with the oldest individual age 6,. The strong 1999 year-class of walleyes sampled in surveys during 2003 and 2005 appeared to no longer be evident in the walleye population of Lake Calhoun in 2010. Walleye growth was slow when compared to similar lakes.

Northern pike abundances have historically been below the 50th percentile for similar lakes. The gillnet catch of 2.5 fish/net was the lowest abundance observed in the previous five assessments. Northern pike size structure was good, with an average length of 17.8 inches. The average length of adult northern pike in Lake Calhoun is likely larger than this value since numerous small, immature northern pike were unusually sampled during this assessment. The low abundance of northern pike in Lake Calhoun allowed for fast growth of this population. Ages 3-6 were sampled.

Largemouth bass relative abundance (28.8/hr of energized time) and size (12.1 in; 1.1 lbs) were near average for area lakes. The largest individual captured was 18.3 inches and 4.1 pounds. Largemouth bass recruitment was consistent with 8 year-classes sampled. Growth was slightly below the average for similar lakes with fish reaching an average of 14.5 inches by age 6.

Black crappie relative abundance has been decreasing since the 2000 Survey, and fell below the 25th percentile for similar lakes in 2010. Black crappie averaged 7.9 inches. Recruitment was consistent with 7 year-classes sampled. Black crappie growth was slower than average, and fish reached an average length of 7.5 inches by age 6.

Bluegill relative abundance was above median levels for similar lakes, but has been decreasing since 2000. Sampled bluegill averaged 5.2 inches with 0.5 percent of the catch exceeding 7.0 inches. The population is dominated by small individuals where fish reached an average length of 5.9 inches by age 5. Bluegill growth was slower than average, as was also reported in 2003 and 2005 surveys.

Yellow perch relative abundance has been declining since highs reported in 1996 and 2000. Yellow perch average size remained small with only one fish exceeding 7.5 inches. Yellow perch recruitment appears consistent with 5 year-classes sampled. Growth was slower than average.

Other fish sampled during this survey included hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, bowfin and tiger muskellunge.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 7050 E Hwy 101, Suite 100 Shakopee, MN 55379 Phone: (952) 496-4141 Internet: West Metro Fisheries E-Mail: MetroWest.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 C2718 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