Special Fishing Regulations: Lake Shamineau has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the DNR fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
- Northern Pike: All from 24-36″ must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36″.
2021 Fish Survey
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources surveyed Lake Shamineau deploying15 gill nets and 15 trap nets during the week of July 26, 2021. For the full report click here.
Summary highlights of the 2021 survey:
Walleye abundance in Lake Shamineau is average and about what we’d expect to see in lakes similar in size and character. The fishery is well balanced which means there is good representation of Walleyes from 10-25 inches in length. The current management strategy is to stock Walleye fry on an annual basis and evaluate their survival and growth.
Northern Pike continue to be found in lower numbers than other lakes similar in size and character. This is good news since over-abundant pike populations can cause several problems in the fish community. As a direct competitor to Muskellunge and Walleye, fewer pike usually means other predatory species will benefit. Proportionally, about 20% of pike measured during this survey were over 28 inches. An ideal population in Lake Shamineau might look like what already exists now, with a few more larger fish (over 30 inches) than are currently present. Large pike are rare in central Minnesota lakes and removal of just a few from a lake like Shamineau can set back its potential for producing a quality pike fishery. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small pike and release the large ones as outlined in the 2022 fishing regulations for central Minnesota.
Bluegill and Black Crappie were species we targeted with trap nets during the same week in July. Trap nets are set around the lake’s perimeter in shallow water which is typical panfish habitat. Both species are found in numbers typical to other lakes in the area. Most catchable size Bluegills are in the 5-7-inch range, while crappies may reach up to 12 inches but are less abundant.
DNR Fish Stocking
Fish Stocking: Contrary to popular opinion, most of the fish caught in Minnesota each year are a result of natural reproduction and not a product of the state’s stocking efforts. This is because Minnesota is blessed with overall outstanding water quality and excellent fish habitat. However, stocking fish is still an important part of fisheries management, especially where spawning habitat is not adequate to sustain a sport fishery. Approximately 25% of the state’s 5,400 fishing lakes are on an established stocking schedule. The most commonly stocked species include walleye, trout, muskellunge, and northern pike. The lake survey reports contain only the last five years of stocking information. If there are no records listed it is likely that the lakes fish community is entirely supported by natural reproduction. Common sizes of fish stocked are as follows:
- Fry: Fish stocked in lakes shortly after hatching from eggs.
- Fingerling: Fish harvested from rearing ponds after one summer of growth.
- Yearling: Fish that are a year old at the time of stocking.
- Adult: Fish more than 1 year old, usually transferred from other waters.
