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Molly Stark Lake is a 153-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located almost entirely within Glendalough State Park approximately three miles northeast of Battle Lake, MN. There is a non-navigable inlet along the southeast shoreline that connects Molly Stark to West Battle Lake. A non-navigable outlet along the northeast shoreline flows into Annie Battle Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots and grasslands. The maximum depth is 48 feet; however, 43% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline length is 1.8 miles. The secchi disk reading during the 2006 lake survey was 14.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 11.0 to 17.0 feet. The MN DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Molly Stark Lake is included in lake class 31; other area lakes in this same classification include Annie Battle, Johnson, Pebble, Portage, and Wall. The majority of the shoreline is located within the state park; therefore, development is very limited. A DNR owned public access is located in the park along the southwest shoreline. A picnic area, shelter, and swimming beach are located along the north shoreline. Three private residences are located along the southeast shoreline. The dominant shoreline substrate is sand. The most prevalent emergent aquatic plant is hardstem bulrush, which is found in scattered beds mainly along the east and northwest shorelines. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical in maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from wave erosion and help absorb excess nutrients. Emergent plants also provide critical spawning habitat for several fish species including northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for many species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants cannot be removed without a DNR permit. Molly Stark Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in Molly Stark Lake. Tullibee are a popular target of ice fisherman. A moderate-density northern pike population exists. The gill net catch rate is within the expectd range for similar lakes. Northern pike ranged in length from 11.0 to 28.6 inches with an average length and weight of 16.2 inches and 0.9 pounds. Northern pike growth rates are slow, which may correspond with the low abundance of yellow perch, a preferred forage specie. Data collected from a spring electrofishing assessment indicated that Molly Stark Lake has a balanced largemouth bass population. Largemouth bass reproduction appears to be consistently good. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 7.4 to 17.4 inches with an average length and weight of 11.0 inches and 0.8 pounds. The bluegill trap net catch rate was within the expectedl range for similar lakes. There are several strong year classes which should provide good bluegill angling for several years. Twenty-two percent of the bluegill in the trap net sample were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Walleye are present, but in low numbers. This is likely due to a lack of suitable spawning habitat. Walleye ranged in length from 18.0 to 23.2 inches with an average length and weight of 20.4 inches and 2.7 pounds. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Molly Stark Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish. 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.