Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest August 22, 2022
Amber Lake FishingFWater-quality grade F
Minnesota DNR surveys at Amber Lake average 15.03 black crappie per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 22, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–12 inches. In Martin County, Minnesota, Amber Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F. Water clarity averages 2.0 feet of visibility, and there are 2 public boat landings. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Amber Lake
17 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Amber Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
2 public boat landings are recorded on Amber Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Amber Lake average 15.03 black crappie per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 22, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–12 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Amber Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2022-08-22 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 44.04 | 0.36 lb |
| Common Carp | 21.39 | 2.88 lb |
| Black Crappie | 15.03 | 0.3 lb |
| Freshwater Drum | 12.24 | 0.43 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 9.35 | 0.17 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Black Bullhead
Common Carp
Black Crappie
Freshwater Drum
From the 2022-08-22 survey
Amber Lake is a 180 acre lake with a max depth of 19 feet and 108 acres of littoral zone (15 feet or less). Amber Lake is part of the "Fairmont Chain of Lakes" and is within the city limits of Fairmont. The Fairmont Chain of Lakes (from headwaters to mouth) is comprised of Amber Lake, Hall Lake, Budd Lake, Sisseton…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Amber Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — AmberFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — AmberFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — AmberPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Amber Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Amber Lake average 15.03 black crappie per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 22, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–12 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 17 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Amber Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Amber Lake is dated August 22, 2022. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Amber Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Amber Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Amber Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Amber Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Amber Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Amber Lake
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