South Arm Fishing Spot

  • County: Otter Tail
  • Acreage: 856
  • Public Fishing: Yes
  • Max Depth: 48'
  • Elevation: 1313'
  • Last Modified By: vinny60 on 03/07/11 04:22 PM
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South Arm Description

South Lida Lake is a 856-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwest Otter Tail County approximately five miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. South Lida Lake is connected to North Lida Lake by a navigable culvert under State Highway 108 along the north shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood forest. The maximum depth is 48 feet; however, 42% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2009 lake survey was 5.4 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.5 to 9.3 feet. The south and west shorelines of South Lida Lake have been extensively developed with homes and cabins. A majority of the east shoreline is located within the boundaries of Maplewood State Park. A DNR owned public water access is located within the state park along the southeast shoreline and a private access is located along the north shoreline. A public swimming beach and campground are also located along the east shoreline in the state park. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are scattered along the undeveloped sections of shoreline. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail 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. South Lida Lake can be ecologically classified as a walleye-centrarchid type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The walleye test-net catch rate exceeded the upper limit of the expected range for this type of lake. The walleye test-net catch rate has been within or exceeded the expected range in every survey conducted on this lake. Walleye ranged in length from 10.8 to 27.7 inches with an average length and weight of 16.6 inches and 1.8 pounds. Age data indicate that the 2006 year class is strong and should provide good walleye angling in the future. Walleye reach an average length of 15.5 inches at four years of age. The northern pike test-net catch rate was within the expected range for similar lakes. Length data indicate that northern pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 18.7 to 32.8 inches with an average length and weight of 25.2 inches and 3.7 pounds. Pike reach an average length of 23.4 inches at four years of age. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that a balanced largemouth bass population exists. Bass ranged in length from 6.5 to 18.5 inches with an average length and weight of 13.1 inches and 1.5 pounds. Bass reach an average length of 14.2 inches at five years of age. Data from a spring trapnetting assessment indicate that black crappies are abundant and have a good size distribution. Black crappies ranged in length from 5.5 to 12.2 inches with a mean length of10.0 inches. Eleven percent of the crappie sample was 11.0 inches or greater in length. Crappies reach an average length of 10.6 inches at five years of age. The bluegill test-net catch rate was within the normal range for similar lakes. Thirty-six percent of the bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills reach an average length of 7.7 inches at age-VII. Harvest regulations for walleye and black crappie have been implemented on South Lida Lake. The walleye regulation is a 17 to 26 inch protected slot limit with one fish over 26 inches allowed. The black crappie regulation is an 11-inch minimum size limit. The intent of these regulations is to improve the size structures of the respective populations. Anglers can also maintain the quality of angling 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.

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