Fishing Beatons Lake

Beatons Lake represents a cautionary tale of how invasive species can destroy a quality trout fishery. This 330-acre lake was once classified as "excellent for trout" in 1969, but has suffered a dramatic collapse due to rainbow smelt explosion and northern pike introduction. The 2018 survey captured only one rainbow trout compared to tens of thousands of rainbow smelt that made nets hard to pull from the water. Northern pike first appeared in 2016 and nine fish ranging 17-39 inches were netted in 2018, creating a predation problem for stocked trout. Rainbow smelt were originally stocked in 1975 at 7,200 adults but remained at low numbers for decades before exploding. The smelt compete directly with young rainbow trout for zooplankton, while pike prey on newly stocked 6-9 inch trout released in May when pike are in shallow spawning areas. Yellow perch numbers remain at 109 fish but with small size structure averaging 4.7 inches and ranging only 3-8 inches. The lake has a maximum depth of 90 feet with an almost continuous gravel shoal area and sparse aquatic vegetation. Water quality analysis from 2016 showed only a 4-foot optimal range for trout in the 23-27 foot depth zone during summer stress periods. Historical surveys from 2004 showed 89% of rainbow trout were legal size with 53 fish over 20 inches, and growth was well above state average with a +4.8 growth index. The DNR discontinued all fingerling and yearling trout stocking for 2019-2025 and is experimenting with adult lake trout when federal surplus fish are available. This lake serves as an example of how quickly invasive species can transform a fishery - anglers report disappointment with increasing pike catches and declining trout success over the past 20 years.