Lake information report

Name: Namakan

Public Access Information

Fishing Regulations:

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2012 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2012 Survey Year

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 09/20/2012)

Namakan Lake is located on the border between Minnesota and the Province of Ontario and is part of the Namakan Reservoir, which also consists of Crane, Kabetogama, Little Vermilion, and Sand Point lakes. There is no road access to several of the lakes. Thus, anglers gain access by traveling by boat from road access points located on Crane or Kabetogama lakes.

Black crappie abundance was better than the expected range for this lake type. Black crappie fishing has become more popular recently on Namakan Lake, especially in winter. Most anglers have been attracted by the large crappies present in Namakan Lake. However, the largest crappie captured during the 2012 fisheries investigation was 7.9 inches, which is much smaller than what has been captured in recent years.

Northern pike abundance was at the upper end of the expected range for this lake type. The rule-curve used to regulate water levels was changed in 2000 to enhance northern pike spawning habitat. Long-term trends suggest that the change in water levels has improved northern pike abundance. Size remains impressive and anglers have a good chance to catch very large northern pike. The sample in 2012 included fish up to 44.2 inches.

Sauger are present but generally are rare and sizes are small. The average size sampled in 2012 was 10.4 inches and the average weight was 0.31 pounds.

Smallmouth bass is another choice for anglers visiting Namakan Lake. Abundance in 2012 was above the expected range for this lake type. The average size in our sample was 13.1 inches, a fun size for anglers. Typically, anglers also catch some very large fish while targeting smallmouth bass on Namakan Lake.

Walleye abundance was above the expected range for this lake type. Long-term trends indicate at least a 10 percent increase in walleye abundance since a size regulation was implemented in 1998. The regulation has also improved the size structure; older, larger fish are now more abundant. In 2012, 14 year-classes were present and age ranged from 0-16 years. The 2006 year-class was the third strongest in over 25 years and remains prominent, representing 33 percent of the sample in 2012. The 2008 year-class was also strong and represented 18 percent of the sample. Recent year-classes look promising as well. Size in the 2012 sample ranged from 4.9-22.6 inches and mean weight was 0.98 pounds.

Yellow perch abundance was within the expected range for this lake type. Currently, sizes exist that are attractive to anglers. The size range was from 5.4-11.8 inches and the mean was 7.3.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 392 Hwy 11 E International Falls, MN 56649 Phone: (218) 286-5220 Internet: International Falls Fisheries E-Mail: InternationalFalls.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 B0445 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