Jewett Lake is a 737-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in west-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles north of Fergus Falls, MN. Jewett Lake is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed; however, there are no inlets or outlets connected to the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Jewett Lake is 75 feet; however, 36% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2008 lake survey was 14.4 feet, which indicates good water clarity. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 8.5 to 12.3 feet. The north and east shorelines of Jewett Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of the township road along the north shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located along the southwest and southeast shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. A large area of hardstem bulrush and common cattail along the southwest shoreline is posted annually as a largemouth bass spawning area. Restrictions imposed in this area prohibit fishing or motor boating from ice-out to June 30, inclusive. Suitable spawning habitat for largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie in Jewett Lake is primarily limited to this posted spawning area. Jewett Lake is a popular angling lake during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. Species most sought after include walleye, largemouth bass, and bluegill. Data from recent lake surveys indicate that these species are abundant and have good size distributions as well. Walleye is a primary management specie in this lake. The test-net catch rate of walleye was within the normal range for this class of lake. Walleye ranged in length from 8.9 to 25.0 inches with an average length and weight of 14.2 inches and 1.0 pounds. The 2004 year class appears to be strong and should provide good walleye angling for several years. Walleye attain an average length of 14.1 inches at four years of age. Jewett Lake is a popular lake for largemouth bass angling. Data from recent electrofishing assessments indicate that an excellent largemouth bass population exists. In the 2008 assessment, bass ranged in length from 10.3 to 19.5 inches with an average length and weight of 15.9 inches and 2.3 pounds. Age data indicate that largemouth bass reproduction is consistent. Bass attain an average length of 13.1 inches at four years of age. A size regulation for largemouth bass was implemented in 2005. The regulation is a 12-inch maximum length limit with 1 over 20.0 inches. The regulation was implemented in an attempt to maintain the existing size structure. The regulation will be in effect for ten years (2015). Bluegill test-net catch rates have fluctuated in the recent series of surveys; however, the catch rate in this survey was within the normal range. Bluegill size structure has improved compared to recent surveys; Forty-four percent of the bluegill trap net sample was at least 7.0 inches in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.3 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.