Lake information report

Name: FLORIDA

Nearest Town: Spicer Primary County: Kandiyohi Survey Date: 07/05/2005 Inventory Number: 34-0217-00

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Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled up to the 2005 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species Sampled for All Gear for the 2005 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 07/05/2005)

A fish population assessment of Florida was conducted in July of 2005. Florida is a moderately sized (674 acres), moderately deep (40 feet maximum), and low to moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center is located near the southeast shoreline area. Residential development has occurred throughout the entire shoreline area with the exception of a small portion of the south side. Two public access sites are present on Florida with one along the north side (DNR boat access) and one on the east side (township access). Shore fishing access is possible on the outlet dike area (DNR owned) of the north shore of Florida. Emergent vegetation (bulrush) is sparse in Florida. Submergent vegetation densities within the lake are moderately abundant within the littoral zone areas. Florida is connected to several periodic winterkill (Florida Slough Lake, Crook) and non-winterkill lakes (Norway, Games, Andrew) via the Shakopee Creek and various small inlets. Water clarity (secchi=10.5 feet) was excellent in 2005. Florida is managed primarily for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Walleye stockings (primarily fingerlings) are scheduled for every other year in Florida.

Black crappie numbers were abundant in 2005 (2.70 fish/trapnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes, but below the historical average catch rate (4.46 fish/trapnet) for Florida. The 2005 black crappie average size was moderate (0.47 pounds and 9.4 inches) from trapnets. The black crappie historical average weight is 0.35 pounds from trapnets. The 2005 catch rate of quality size (8.0 inches) and larger black crappie was high (2.20 fish/trapnet) in Florida. Black crappie growth rates in Florida were below the Spicer Area normal ranges for age 1-3, but within the normal ranges for ages 4-5. The 2001 black crappie year class comprised 50% of black crappie captured in the 2005 assessment.

Northern pike numbers were abundant in 2005 (12.20 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The northern pike historical average catch rate is 4.87 fish/gillnet for Florida. The 2005 northern pike average size was small to moderate (2.25 pounds and 20.8 inches) from gillnets. The northern pike historical average weight is 2.22 pounds from gillnets. The 2005 catch rate of quality size (21.0 inches) and larger northern pike was high (5.00 fish/gillnet) in Florida. Northern pike growth rates in Florida were within the Spicer Area normal ranges. The 2004 northern pike year class comprised 52% of the northern pike caught in the 2005 assessment. The largest northern pike captured was 33.7 inches in the 2005 assessment.

Yellow perch numbers were low in 2005 (3.40 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The yellow perch historical average catch rate is 34.39 fish/gillnet for Florida. The 2005 yellow perch average size was small (0.10 pounds and 6.1 inches) from gillnets. The yellow perch historical average weight is 0.15 pounds.

Walleye numbers were moderate in 2005 (5.20 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes, but low compared to the historical average catch rate (11.49 fish/gillnet) for Florida. The 2005 walleye average size was moderate (2.09 pounds and 15.3 inches) from gillnets. The walleye historical average weight is 1.70 pounds from gillnets. The 2005 catch rate of quality size (15.0 inches) and larger walleye was low (1.60 fish/gillnet) in Florida. Walleye growth rates in Florida were generally within or above the Spicer Area normal ranges. The walleye population in Florida is due primarily to stocking. Florida was stocked with walleye in the 2005 fall (31,150 fingerlings, 1,001 pounds; 70 yearlings, 35 pounds; 42 adults, 42 pounds). The 2003 walleye year class (fingerlings stocked and/or natural reproduction in 2003) comprised 53% of the walleye catch in the 2005 assessment. The largest walleye captured was 27.9 inches in the 2005 assessment.

Bluegill numbers were abundant in 2005 (43.60 fish/trapnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The bluegill historical average catch rate is 29.89 fish/trapnet in Florida. The 2005 bluegill average size was large (0.27 pounds and 7.0 inches) from trapnets. The bluegill historical average weight is 0.15 pounds from trapnets. The 2005 catch rate of quality size (6.0 inches) and larger bluegill was high (41.41 fish/trapnet) in Florida. The largest bluegill captured was 10.2 inches in the 2005 assessment.

Brown bullhead numbers were abundant in 2005 (5.80 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The 2005 brown bullhead average size was large (1.45 pounds and 13.5 inches) from gillnets. The brown bullhead historical average weight is 0.76 pounds from gillnets.

Largemouth bass numbers were low in 2005 (0.20 fish/trapnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The 2005 largemouth bass average size was 6.22 inches from trapnets. A spring electrofishing survey was not conducted for largemouth bass in 2005 due to time constraints. The last spring electrofishing survey for largemouth bass in Florida was done during 2001. Low numbers of largemouth bass were captured in the 2001 spring electrofishing survey (17.59 fish/hour, 9.4 inches average length). The Florida spring electrofishing largemouth bass historical averages are 18.79 fish/hour and 10.7 inches average length.

Freshwater drum numbers were low in 2005 (1.20 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes. The freshwater drum historical average catch rate is 7.25 fish/gillnet for Florida. The 2005 freshwater drum average size was moderate (1.80 pounds and 16.21 inches) from gillnets. The freshwater drum historical average weight is 1.48 pounds from gillnets.

Current fish management activities on Florida include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Florida fishery will be surveyed in the 2010 spring for largemouth bass and 2010 summer for all fish species.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 10590 Co Rd 8 NE Spicer, MN 56288 Phone: (320) 796-2161 Internet: Spicer Fisheries E-Mail: Spicer.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 C1398 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