Bachelor Lake (Brown County, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bachelor Lake |
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 Bachelor Lake
Location in Minnesota
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| Location | Brown County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°15′22″N 94°39′07″W / 44.256°N 94.652°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Surface elevation | 1,004 feet (306 m) |
| Settlements | Sleepy Eye |
Bachelor Lake is a lake located in Brown County, Minnesota. It is found in the northeastern part of Stark township. The lake covers about 79.80 acres, which is roughly the size of 60 football fields.
Bachelor Lake is considered an officially protected water by the State of Minnesota. This means it has special rules to help keep it clean and healthy. The lake is also part of the larger Cottonwood River Major Watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common point, like a lake or river.
The lake sits at an elevation of 1,004 feet (306 m) above sea level. The land around Bachelor Lake is set aside as a "shoreland area." This means there are rules about how people can use the land near the water to protect the lake's environment.
What's in a Name?
Bachelor Lake got its name from a person who lived nearby a long time ago. This person was a homesteader, meaning they settled on and farmed the land. They were unmarried, which is why the lake was called "Bachelor Lake."
Walleye Rearing Project
In the spring of 2016, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) used Bachelor Lake for an important project. They turned the lake into a special "rearing pond" for walleye fish. Walleye are a popular type of fish in Minnesota.
Stocking the Lake
The DNR stocked Bachelor Lake with about 5,000 walleye fry for every acre of shallow water. Fry are very young, newly hatched fish. They were placed in the "littoral" areas, which are parts of the lake that are less than 15 feet deep. These shallow areas are good for young fish to grow.
Successful Harvest
Later that fall, after the walleye fry had time to grow, the DNR collected the fish. This process is called a "harvest." They collected 538 pounds (244 kg) of fingerlings. Fingerlings are young fish that are bigger than fry but not yet fully grown adults. This project helped to raise many walleye that could then be moved to other lakes.
