Edward Lake Fishing Guide
Nisswa lakes area has so many quality lakes to choose from, sometimes it is difficult to decide which one to fish. You can’t go wrong with Edward lake. Todd Andrist is your go to Edward lake fishing guide. We can arrange to meet at the lake access, or pick up at your hotel, resort, or dock.
Edward Lake Fishing Guide Data
Edward Lake is a 2,032 acre lake located one mile north of Merrifield in Crow Wing County. Edward reaches depths of 75′ with 59% of the lake 15′ deep or less. Water clarity was good with a secchi disk reading of 13.0′. A 2004 plant survey found 33 species of aquatic vegetation. Extensive bulrush beds surround much of the lake. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Edward is heavily developed with a 2008 survey finding 189 homes/cabins and three resorts. A public access is located on the west shore.
Two million walleye fry are stocked annually into Edward Lake. The walleye gillnet catch was average compared to similar lakes at 4.4/net, up from 3.1/net in 2008. Average size was 17.1″ and 2.0 lbs. Walleyes up to 30.6″ were captured.
The northern pike catch was also average at 5.8/gillnet, down from a high of 15.5/net in 2008. The average size was 20.8″ and 2.0lbs, with only 3% measuring 24″ or larger. Four year classes were present, with 60% being from the 2011 year class.
Largemouth bass were sampled in a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 200.7/hr. This is high compared to the previous two survey rates of 40.7/hr. (2008) and 73.5/hr. (2002). Part of the reason for such a high catch rate is the amount of largemouth bass under 8″. In this survey 73% of the catch was less than 8″, compared to 3% (2008) and 10% (2002). For largemouth bass 8″ or greater, 56% were at least 12″ in length. Largemouth bass were captured in average numbers in gillnets at 0.7/net. Average length of those fish was 12.7″.
Bluegills were captured in average numbers at 18.6/trapnet. Average length was 6.1″, with 24% of the catch measuring at least 7″ in length. Yellow perch were caught in low numbers at 1.2/gillnet. Average length was 6.4″. Yellow perch are an important prey species, especially for walleye and northern pike.
No invasive species have been discovered thus far in Edward Lake, but they are located in the area. Before and after launching lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.