Water levels were normal on 08/09/99. The water column was thermally stratified on 08/09/99 with a surface temperature of 71 F and a bottom temperature of 60 F. Adequate oxygen (2 ppm) was retained to a depth of 23 ft, where the temperature was 69 F. Shagawa Lake ranked as mesotrophic-to-eutrophic according to Carlson's Trophic Status Index, using data from a water sample taken on 08/02/99.

Inlets from Burgo Lake, Miner's Lake, Mitchell Lake, and Armstrong Creek all have barriers to fish movement. The outlet to Fall Lake also has barriers to fish movement. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly boulder, rubble, gravel, and sand. Aquatic plants are sparse and grow to a depth of 7 ft.

Riparian development in 1999 consisted of several municipal and government facilities, a swimming beach, 4 public accesses, 6 resorts, and 142 homes & cottages. Previously, 91 homes & cottages were present in 1985 and 44 homes & cottages were present in 1966. Despite this increase in development, most of the shoreline (70%) was undeveloped in 1999.

Fish populations in 1999, as in most previous investigations, were dominated by walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch.

The total catch of fish (all species combined) in the gillnets in 1999 of 82 fish/net (60 lb/net) was higher than normal for this lake class and was fairly similar to the median catch of 52 fish/net (59 lb/net) in 16 previous gillnettings on this lake, dating back to 1948. More yellow perch were caught in the gillnets in 1999 than in most previous gillnettings. Lake Class 7 is one of the most productive lake classes in northeast Minnesota, in terms of gillnet catches of fish.

The total catch of fish in the trapnets in 1999 of 19 fish/net (17 lb/net) was similar to the median catch of 14 fish/net (20 lb/net) in six previous trapnettings on this lake, dating back to 1959. The trapnetting in 1999 was conducted earlier in the summer than previous trapnettings. Fewer walleye and more shorthead redhorse and rock bass were caught in the trapnets in 1999 than in most previous trapnettings.

Walleye numbers in 1999 (18.8/gillnet) were higher than normal for this lake class and were similar to the median catch of 15.8/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. Walleye sizes in 1999 averaged 13.1" (0.9 lb) which is at the median for this lake class and is near the long term average size of 13.3" on this lake. The largest walleye caught in 1999 was 26.6" (6.7 lb). Most walleye were from the 1995 year class (35% of captured walleye) and the 1998 year class (31%), both of which were stocked with walleye fry, and from the 1997 year class (23%) which was not stocked. Walleye growth was normal for the area.

White sucker numbers in 1999 (18.1/gillnet) were higher than normal for this lake class and were higher than the median catch of 13.0/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. High numbers of young-of-year sucker were captured in shoreline seining in 1999. Sucker sizes in 1999 averaged 14.2", which is normal for this lake class and is similar to the long term average size of 14.9" on this lake.

Yellow perch numbers in 1999 (38.0/gillnet) were higher than normal for this lake class and were higher than the median catch of 16.6/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. High numbers of young-of-year perch were captured in shoreline seining in 1999. Perch sizes in 1999 averaged 7.7" (0.3 lb), which is larger than normal for this lake class and is similar to the long term average sizes of 7.5" on this lake. The largest perch in 1999 was 12.5" (1.1 lb). Most perch (65%) were from the 1997 year class. Perch growth was faster than normal for the area.

Northern pike numbers in 1999 (1.5/gillnet) were in the normal range for this lake class and were similar to the median catch of 1.9/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. Pike sizes in 1999 averaged 24.6" (3.6 lb), which is larger than normal for this lake class and is larger than the long term average size of 21.6" on this lake. The largest pike in 1999 was 40.8" (15.1 lb). Pike growth was faster than normal for the area.

Smallmouth bass numbers in 1999 (0.3/gillnet, 0.1/trapnet) were fairly low, but were similar to numbers in previous investigations on this lake. Smallmouth numbers caught during spring night electrofishing (9.0/hour of on-time) and in shoreline seining (59 young-of-year) indicate a healthy population. Sizes of smallmouth caught by electrofishing averaged 11.5"; the largest was 19.4" (3.6 lb). Smallmouth growth was faster than normal for the area.

Cisco numbers in 1999 (4.2/gillnet) were in the normal range for this lake class and were similar to the median catch of 5.2/gillnet in previous investigations on this lake. Cisco sizes in 1999 averaged 11.6" (0.7 lb), which is larger than normal for this lake class and is smaller than the long term average size of 12.8" on this lake. The largest cisco in 1999 was 16.9".

Shorthead redhorse numbers in 1999 (6.3/trapnet) were higher than normal for this lake class and were higher than the median catch of 1.8/trapnet in previous investigations on this lake. Rock bass numbers in 1999 (7.7/trapnet) were higher than normal for this lake class and were higher than the median catch of 1.9/trapnet in previous investigations on this lake. The catches of shorthead redhorse and rock bass in the gillnets in 1999 was low and was similar to gillnet catches in previous investigations. Trapnetting was done earlier in 1999 (mid June) than in previous investigations (early August), which may have influenced the catch of these species.

High numbers of young-of-year black crappie were captured in shoreline seining in 1999, but few adult black crappie were caught in the gillnets and none were caught in the trapnets.