Lake information report

Name: Clitherall

Nearest Town: Clitherall Primary County: Otter Tail Survey Date: 07/10/2006 Inventory Number: 56023800

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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

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 07/10/2006)

Clitherall Lake is a 2,493-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County approximately one mile south of Clitherall, MN. Clitherall Lake is connected to Crane Lake via a non-navigable inlet along the south shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 69 feet; however, 32% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2006 lake survey was 14.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 9.3 to 16.0 feet. The MN DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Clitherall Lake is included in lake class 22; other area lakes in this same classification include East Battle, Loon, Rose, Long, and Star. The majority of the shoreline of Clitherall Lake has been extensively developed. The 1994 lake resurvey referenced 239 homes/cabins and five resorts. DNR owned public water accesses are located along the north and south shorelines. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Stands of hardstem bulrush are scattered along the north and west shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. Clitherall Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish-walleye type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community. The walleye test-net catch rate was within the expected range for similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 8.0 to 26.3 inches with an average length and weight of 16.5 inches and 1.7 pounds. Data from recent test-netting assessments indicate that walleye natural reproduction is limited in Clitherall Lake and that walleye fingerling stocking on a two out of three year rotation is maintaining the population. The northern pike test-net catch rate was within the expected range for similar lakes. Age and length data from recent assessments indicate that northern pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 15.5 to 33.1 inches with an average length and weight of 23.6 inches and 3.0 pounds. Test-net catch data indicate that a high density largemouth bass population exists in Clitherall Lake. Bass ranged in length from 5.4 to 14.5 inches with an average length and weight of 10.4 inches and 0.7 pounds. Age and length data indicate that largemouth bass reproduction is consistently good. Data from recent test-netting assessments indicate that the black crappie and bluegill populations are abundant. Test-net catch rates for both species exceeded their respective normal ranges for class 22 lakes. Age and length data indicate that reproduction for both species is consistently good. Forty-nine percent of the black crappie sample in a spring trapnetting assessment was 10.0 inches or greater in length. Thirteen percent of the bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. In 1998, a smallmouth bass reintroduction plan was initiated. A total of 433 adult smallmouth bass were stocked to develop broodstock. During 1998 and 1999, the DNR and the Clitheral Lake Association completed several cooperative projects designed to improve smallmouth bass habitat. A total of 108 half-log nesting structures were placed in the lake to increase the available spawning habitat. Six off-shore rock reefs were constructed to provide juvenile smallmouth bass feeding and escape cover. A no harvest regulation was also implemented and is still in effect. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. ?

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 1509 1st Ave N Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Phone: (218) 739-7576 Internet: Fergus Falls Fisheries E-Mail: FergusFalls.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 B0505 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