Mud

Mud lake is an 84 acre lake located 5 miles southeast of Emily. Maximum depth is 28 feet with 42% less than 15 feet deep. Water clarity is limited due to bog stain. The shoreline is a mixed forest with numerous red pine present on sandy soil. Development is light with a total of 11 cottages and homes present. Bottom substrate is sand or gravel next to the shoreline and often changes to muck shortly. Aquatic vegetation is very abundant around the entire lake. Numerous species of submered vegetation are present, along with waterlilies and wild rice which is very abundant. Public access is adequate via mud brook from Island lake for up to medium size boats. The lake is primarily a northern pike and panfish lake. Northern pike catch rate of 5.0 fish/net is normal for this lake class type. The majority of the northern pike were small with the average size 20.0 inches. A few fish are present over 30 inches and because of the small size of the lake it would be best to practice catch and release on these fish since they are so few. Black crappie abundance is very good with size ranging from 4.9 to 9.7 inches. Anglers should expect the average size to be around 7.5 inches. Bluegill abundnace was good with a few fish reaching 8.0 inches and the average 6.2 inches. Yellow perch, largemouth bass, and pumpkinseed were present in low numbers.

Test netting indicated a very high population of small bluegills, black crappies, yellow bullheads, and brown bullheads. White sucker, northern pike, bowfin, and pumpkinseed sunfish are present in fair numbers. Walleye and yellow perch were present in low numbers. The northern pike show a very slow rate of growth, and the panfish population is also slow growing.

Present Northern Pike population is low for this area, and has decreased since the last survey. Yellow Perch numbers are slightly increased. Populations of other species remain stable.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill in Mud. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Mud. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Mud has a maximum depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mud is from 1999. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Mud in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

No — Mud has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.