Lake information report

Name: WALL

Nearest Town: FERGUS FALLS, MN Primary County: Otter Tail Survey Date: 07/18/2005 Inventory Number: 56-0658-00

Purchase a walleye stamp. Your voluntary contribution will be used to support walleye stocking.

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 07/18/2005)

Wall Lake is a 683-acre mesotrophic lake located in southwestern Otter Tail County approximately five miles east of Fergus Falls, MN. Wall Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. An unnavigable outlet is located along the west shoreline of the lake which is a tributary to the Otter Tail River. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Wall Lake is 34 feet; however, 33% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2005 lake survey was 5.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 5.5 to 9.0 feet. Wall Lake experiences periodic plankton/algae blooms during the summer months which can influence secchi disk readings. Wall Lake is included in class 31 of the Minnesota DNR lake classification scheme. A majority of the shoreline of Wall Lake has been developed. The development consists primarily of homes and cottages. The 1989 lake survey referenced 181 homes/cottages and one campground. A DNR owned public water access is located along the north shoreline. A privately owned access is also located at the campground along the east shoreline. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem 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 an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Because of the close proximity to Fergus Falls, Wall Lake is a popular angling lake. Wall Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, and bluegill are the dominant fish species in Wall Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available and DNR stocking efforts. The northern pike test-net catch rate was equivalent to the lower limit of the normal range for class 31 lakes. Age data indicate that northern pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern pike ranged in length from 13.1 to 31.0 inches with an average length and weight of 22.5 inches and 2.7 pounds. Pike exhibit excellent growth with an average length of 23.6 inches at four years of age. Growth rate estimates are faster than average northern pike growth rates for class 31 Lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area. The walleye test-net catch rate exceeded the upper limit of the normal range for class 31 lakes. Age data indicate that several viable year classes are present. Walleye ranged in length from 7.1 to 27.8 inches with an average length and weight of 15.6 inches and 1.5 pounds. The DNR stocks walleye fingerlings every two out of three years and natural reproduction also contributes to the walleye population. Growth rate estimates are faster than average walleye growth rates for class 31 lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area with an average length of 15.6 inches at four years of age. Data collected from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that Wall Lake has a balanced largemouth bass population. Age data indicate that largemouth bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass ranged in length from 8.2 to 18.5 inches with an average length and weight of 12.4 inches and 1.1 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 12.1 inches at four years of age. Growth rate estimates are faster than average largemouth bass growth rates for class 31 lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area. The bluegill test-net catch rate was the highest ever recorded on Wall Lake and exceeded the normal range for class 31 lakes. The 2001 year class is very strong and should provide good bluegill angling for several years. Eleven percent of the bluegills in the trap net sample were at least 7.0 inches in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.9 inches at five years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Wall Lake 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 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 C2286 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