Lake Waconia

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Lake Waconia is a 2,996-acre lake, located in Carver County; the city of Waconia borders the south and portions of the southwestern shores. The lake is actively managed for Walleye and Muskellunge. There is a 16-inch minimum size limit for Walleye. In 2009, a new Walleye stocking strategy was implemented. The new plan calls for fry to be stocked in 3 out of 4 years, and fingerlings to be stocked in the fourth year of the cycle. Muskellunge fingerlings are stocked on an every-other-year basis. A population assessment was conducted in 2014 to determine the composition and abundance of game fish species.

Caught at a rate of 3.1 fish per gill net, Walleye abundance was low in 2014, falling below the 25th percentile for the lake type (Class 27). Fish averaged 15.0 inches and 1.21 pounds. The largest Walleye was 25.0 inches. Ages of all Walleye surveyed matched years when fingerlings were stocked; 95% of the sampled fish were stocked in 2011. Walleye grew at an average rate in Waconia, reaching an average length of 14.5 inches by age 3.

Muskellunge populations are not adequately sampled during population assessments; spring assessments with large-sized trap nets are used to better sample their populations. No Muskellunge assessment was conducted in 2014; however, a notable Muskellunge was caught during the 2014 survey; the fish measured 53.7 inches.

The historically low abundance of Northern Pike in Lake Waconia was documented again in 2014. Only 0.8 Northern Pike per gill net was caught, well below the 25th percentile for this lake type. The fish are of quality size-- the average Northern Pike measured 30.7 inches and 6.28 pounds. The largest fish was 36.6 inches. Northern Pike grew very fast in Waconia, reaching an average length of 30.5 inches by age 4.

Black Crappie were highly abundant in Lake Waconia, and tended to be small in size. 2014's catch of 8.9 Crappie per gill net greatly exceeded the 75th percentile for its Lake Class, and the mean weight of 0.25 lbs fell on the 25th percentile. On average, fish were 7.8 inches, and the largest sampled fish was 10.1 inches. Forty-one percent of the catch exceeded 8 inches, and only 2% exceeded 9 inches. Black Crappie grew at an average rate in Waconia, reaching an average length of 7.7 inches by age 3. While none were sampled during this assessment, small numbers of the species White Crappie have been previously caught in Waconia, and the hybrids of the two species can be present.

Bluegill were highly abundant in the 2014 survey. The catch rate of 67.3 fish per trap net exceeds the 75th percentile for the Lake Class. The average Bluegill was 6.1 inches and 0.17 pounds; the largest fish was 8.1 inches. Only 16% of the fish exceeded 7 inches. Bluegill are growing at an average rate in Waconia, reaching 5.4 inches by age 3 and 6.8 inches by age 5.

Waconia holds a moderately abundant population of Yellow Perch. 2014's catch rate of 39.1 fish per gill net falls between the median and 75th percentile for the Lake Class. The fish tended to be smaller-sized; the average Yellow Perch was 6.8 inches and 0.14 pounds. The largest Perch was 9.5 inches. Only 4% of the sampled fish exceeded 8 inches. Yellow Perch grew at an average rate in Waconia, reaching an average length of 6.3 inches by age 3.

Other fish sampled in low abundance included Freshwater Drum, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, and Golden Shiner.

Lake Waconia
Lake Waconia
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