Fish Stocking

MLA Fish Stocking Program

Fish stocking makes for fun fishing. The MLA sponsors a fish stocking program to enhance and diversify Mitchell Lake’s fish population. We started the effort in 2019 with $1000 coming from the MLA general fund and $920 in voluntary contributions.  Starting in 2020, the fish stocking program is supported exclusively through voluntary contributions.

How to Contribute?

To make supplemental fish stocking contributions:

  • Send a check to MLA Treasurer, Michelle Rothwell, 8002 Island Road, EP, MN 55347, with “fish stocking” on the memo line, or
  • Send in your annual Membership dues with additional contributions, or make an online contribution on our Membership/Contributions page.

DNR Role

  • Fish Stocking – Over the past 10 years, the DNR has stocked walleye, bluegill, and largemouth bass and has no further stocking plans unless there is a winter fish kill.  Mitchell Lake is prone to fish kill since it is shallow with a complex shoreline. To prevent winter fish kill, the City of EP installs aerators every winter. Link to DNR Mitchell Lake Fish Stocking.
  • Fish Surveys – The last DNR fish survey completed in 2015 found black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white crappie, yellow perch. The next Mitchell Lake fish survey is planned for 2021. Link to DNR Mitchell Lake Fish Surveys.

MLA Fish Stocking Summary to date

Year Season Species Size Number
2019 Spring Black Crappies Adults 6” to 11” 350
Largemouth Bass Adults up to 16” 20
Fall Walleye Fingerlings 4”-6” 1050
2020 Spring Black Crappies Adults 6” to 11” 250
Largemouth Bass Adults up to 16” 20
Fall Black Crappies Adults 3” to 11” 200
Largemouth Bass Adults up to 16” 16
2021 Spring Black Crappies Adults 3” to 11” 150
Largemouth Bass Adults up to 16” 20
2022 Spring Black Crappies Up to 3” 850
Largemouth Bass Adults 26
2023 Spring Black Crappies Up to 11″ 140
Walleye up to 20″ 16
Largemouth Bass Up to 16″ 12
Fall Black Crappies Adults 6” to 11” 100
Walleye Adults 6” to 12” 60
Largemouth Bass Up to 8″ 6