Minnesota is home to several Lake Marions or Marion Lakes which may be confusing to visitors. This guide will address fish species present in Marion Lake, which is located in the town of Lakeville, east of Interstate 35. Here, anglers can find northern pike and bluegill in droves from the shore or by boat.
Two notable invasive species have found their way into Marion Lake: the Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). Both species are aggressive invaders that alter habitat on an ecosystem level by outcompeting or changing the natural landscape.
In the case of the Eurasian watermilfoil, its growing season begins sooner than many native plants in a similar niche, allowing it to outcompete these species and reduce the overall biodiversity of an area.
Zebra mussels, on the other hand, are notorious for being extremely prolific. They multiply in large numbers and clog pipes, cover submerged debris, and are highly efficient at filtering the water, which can convert historically turbid lakes into clear lakes.
List of Fish Species in Marion Lake
1) European carp (Cyprinus carpio)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to Eurasia[/su_icon_text]
The European carp has garnered notoriety as one of the most detrimental introduced fish species in the United States. This species is characterized by its omnivorous diet, which encompasses plant matter and small invertebrates. In its relentless search for food, the European carp excavate gravel beds and uproot native plants. These activities can transform previously clear and healthy streams into murky environments, rendering them unusable to native species. This process, known as habitat conversion, carries significant ecological implications, as it changes essential habitats and deprives native species of their primary habitat. Beyond its environmental impact, the European carp is also considered a pest in sportfishing because it is undesirable and easy to catch.
Once the European carp is established, its resilience makes eradication difficult. One method used to manage established European carp populations involves the application of rotenone, a substance toxic to fish. Rotenone is employed to clear a body of water of all fish species, including European carp. Following this intervention, the water body can be restocked with the desired species, alleviating the effects of the invasive species. This method is, however, very costly and results in the death of all fish in the river, not only the invasive species.
2) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to parts of North America[/su_icon_text]
Bluegills are a well-known and widespread freshwater fish species native to central North America. They are members of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) and are popular among anglers and fish enthusiasts, especially panfishers. Bluegill can be found in many freshwater habitats across North America, including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and reservoirs. They prefer clear, slow-moving, still waters with abundant aquatic vegetation and submerged structures like fallen trees, rocks, or aquatic plants. Bluegills are opportunistic feeders and have a varied diet, primarily consuming aquatic insects, small crustaceans, zooplankton, and small fish.
To most anglers, this species is known for their aggressive feeding behavior, making them accessible and exciting targets for anglers. They are caught using various fishing methods, including bait fishing with live bait (such as worms, crickets, or small minnows) or artificial lures.
Anglers can take up to five sunfish from Marion Lake daily.
3) Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to the eastern half of the US[/su_icon_text]
Where there are large piscivores, like the largemouth bass, there must be a forage fish. The golden shiner is one of the most abundant forage fish in Marion Lake and is found throughout Minnesota. This gold-colored minnow plays a vital role in Marion Lake’s ecosystem by serving as a food source for fish-eating predators from other fish to birds and mammals. An average golden shiner will be between 3 and 6 inches (7.62 and 15.24 cm) long and weigh less than a quarter of a pound (0.11 kg). They are too small for humans to make a meal of but piscivorous fish consume them in droves. So, anglers do not usually seek out golden shiners except where they are used as bait for larger sportfish species.
Golden shiners are omnivores consuming algae and small aquatic invertebrates. They form large schools that are found throughout North America. This species is highly adaptable to a wide range of marine environments. They inhabit lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, and streams. This species is often found in areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and prefers clear or slightly turbid waters. They serve as a forage species, providing food for larger fish, birds, and other marine predators.
4) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and Mississippi River basins[/su_icon_text]
The largemouth bass is a famous and commercially important sportfish in the United States due to its large size, aggressive nature, and culinary appeal. They can reach lengths of up to 38 inches (97 cm), making them the largest black bass in North America. Due to their popularity, largemouth bass are widely stocked in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs nationwide.
These bass prefer clear waters with submerged vegetation, providing cover and hunting opportunities. They feed on various prey, including fish, amphibians, insects, small mammals, and occasionally birds. This species is highly adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, from swamps to rivers. However, they require warm water (above 50°F or 10 °C) for successful reproduction. During spawning season, they can be found in nearshore areas, while in other seasons, they hide in deeper waters, often requiring a boat to catch. Live bait works best for fishing largemouth bass, such as smaller sunfish or native shad and shiners.
Minnesota anglers may harvest up to six combined largemouth and smallmouth bass daily between May 27th and February 25th. The angling season for this species is closed during the breeding season in the spring.
5) Walleye (Sander vitreus)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to the US and Canada[/su_icon_text]
The walleye is stocked in Marion Lake annually. This fish is dark green on top, yellow on the sides, and white on the belly, with distinct spots. It is the largest perch species, reaching 21 inches (53 cm) in length on average but capable of growing much larger. Their diet includes alewives, sculpins, shad, suckers, sunfish, and shiners, with adults favoring fish over invertebrates. They spawn in spring and summer when the water temperature is 48°F to 50°F (8.9°C to 10°C), usually at night over rocky substrates in swift waters.
Walleyes are popular among sport anglers and can be caught using live bait like minnows, earthworms, and leeches. They thrive in large, clear, deep bodies of water, with a temperature preference around 65°F (18°C) but can tolerate a range from 42°F to 60°F (5.6°C to 15.6°C). Walleyes make seasonal moves to calmer waters in the summer. Walleyes can hybridize with saugers to produce saugeyes, distinguishable by their dorsal and caudal fin features. In Minnesota, they can be fished in summer or during winter ice fishing, with a daily possession limit of six fish and only one over 20 inches (50.8 cm).
6) Northern pike (Esox lucius)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to parts of the US and Canada[/su_icon_text]
The northern pike is one of the most common sportfish in Marion Lake. They are large ambush predators with an arrow-like body shape. They average around 16 inches (41 cm) but can grow over 40 inches (102 cm). Their mottled green coloration aids in camouflage, and they have a white belly with grey to green sides and distinctive white blotching, sometimes with orange-tinted fins. Pikes are aggressive piscivores, hiding in vegetation to ambush prey, which has made them a problematic invasive species in some states due to their popularity among sport fishers.
They are commonly found in lakes, reservoirs, and streams during the breeding season, which runs from March to May. Northern pikes are aggressive, and handling them requires caution due to their sharp teeth. White or yellow lures are effective, and various baits, including small sunfish, suckers, or local baitfish, work well for catching them.
Anglers may harvest up to two northern pike from Marion Lake near Lakeville. In the southern zone of the state, these fish must be at least 24” (61 cm).
7) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to North America[/su_icon_text]
Black crappies are small, dark sunfish with a mottled pattern. They have 7 – 8 dorsal spines supporting their dorsal fin, distinguishing them from white crappies. Their upward-curved mouth sets them apart. Typically, they reach about 10.8 inches (27.4 cm) and can live up to fifteen years. Black crappies prefer clear water and feed in schools around midnight, primarily preying on crustaceans and small fish. They reach sexual maturity at 2 – 4 years, breeding from spring to summer, depending on water temperature. Males build nests and mate with multiple females, each laying around forty thousand eggs.
Black crappies are easy to catch using various rigs and strategies, like bobbers and spider rigging. Despite their unappealing name, crappies are excellent for the table. Anglers may harvest up to 10 crappies per day in Minnesota.
8) Bullheads (Ameiurus spp.)
The Ameiurus genus comprises diminutive catfish species known for their social behavior, setting them apart from other catfish species within the Ictaluridae family. Another distinctive feature is their square-shaped tails, distinguishing them from their Ictalurus genus counterparts which often have forked tails. Bullheads are generally omnivorous and participate in shared parental care responsibilities during the breeding season. While they are not typically targeted for consumption, they are indeed edible and possess a delightful flavor; however, their small size makes them more commonly used as bait.
Three bullhead species are native to Minnesota: the black (A. melas), Yellow (A. natalis), and brown bullheads (A. nebulosus). Black bullheads are typically dark brown to black, with mottled patterns on their sides. They often have a pale or whitish underside and may have a noticeable dark barbel (whisker) near their mouth. Yellow bullheads are usually yellow to olive-brown with a yellow or white bottom. They have a less distinct mottled pattern compared to black bullheads. Brown bullheads are light brown to olive-brown with a yellowish or pale underside. They usually have a uniform coloration without characteristic mottling.
9) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to the northeastern US and parts of Canada[/su_icon_text]
The yellow perch is a freshwater fish species native to North America, particularly in the eastern and central parts of the continent. They are named for their distinctive yellow coloration, with vertical stripes running down their sides. They have a compressed, elongated body with a dorsal fin divided into a spiny anterior portion and a soft-rayed posterior portion. Their fins often have an orange or reddish hue and a forked tail fin. Yellow perch vary in size, with an average adult’s length ranging from 4 to 10 in (10 and 25 cm), although some individuals can grow larger.
Yellow perch are carnivorous and feed on small aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and zooplankton. Their diet can vary depending on their size and prey availability in their habitat. They typically spawn in the spring when water temperatures reach around 35 to 65°F (1.7 to 18°C). They are known for their adhesive eggs, which are released in long ribbons and attach to submerged vegetation. After hatching, young yellow perch feed on zooplankton and proliferate.
10) Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
[su_icon_text icon=”icon: globe” icon_color=”#04629B” icon_size=”30″]Native to North America[/su_icon_text]
The pumpkinseed sunfish, sometimes simply referred to as “pumpkinseed”, is a colorful and popular freshwater fish species found in North America. It is known for its distinctly colorful appearance, lively behavior, and widespread distribution. Pumpkinseed sunfish are relatively small, with adults typically ranging from 5 to 6 inches (12.7 to 15.2 centimeters) in length. In exceptional cases, the largest individuals may reach up to 15.7 inches (40 centimeters).
These sunfish are native to North America’s eastern and north-central regions, including the United States and Canada. They are typically found in slow-moving or still freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs. Pumpkinseed sunfish prefer areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and submerged structures like rocks and fallen trees. Pumpkinseed sunfish are popular among anglers, especially those who enjoy panfishing. They are relatively easy to catch and are often targeted by recreational anglers, particularly during the warm months. Typical baits for catching pumpkinseed sunfish include small worms, insects, and artificial lures.
Anglers can take up to five sunfish from Marion Lake daily.
