Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 3, 2013
Thompson Lake FishingFWater-quality grade F
Minnesota DNR surveys at Thompson Lake average 42.67 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 3, 2013. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–5 inches. In Dakota County, Minnesota, Thompson Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F. Water clarity averages 3.3 feet of visibility. 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.
Stocking at Thompson 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.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Thompson Lake average 42.67 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 3, 2013. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–5 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Thompson Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 2 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2013-06-03 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 42.67 | 0.12 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 37.30 | 0.15 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 8.27 | 0.1 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 3.70 | 0.14 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 2.73 | 0.17 lb |
| Black Crappie | 2.10 | 0.48 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.
Bluegill
Black Bullhead
Green Sunfish
Pumpkinseed
From the 2013-06-03 survey
Thompson Lake is a small 10 acre lake located in Thompson County Park (Dakota County Parks) within the city limits of West St. Paul. The lake has a maximum depth of eight feet and receives primarily stormwater inputs from the 169 acre surrounding watershed. A spillway outlet structure maintains the water level and…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Thompson Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — ThompsonFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — ThompsonFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Thompson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Thompson Lake average 42.67 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 3, 2013. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–5 inches. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Thompson Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Thompson Lake is dated June 3, 2013. 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 Thompson Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Thompson 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 Thompson Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Thompson Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 2 years of monitoring is declining. 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 Thompson Lake
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