Widow Lake

How big is Widow Lake?

How deep is Widow Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Widow Lake?

Are there boat launches on Widow Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Widow Lake?

Widow Lake (DOW # 11-273: Lake Class 31) is a 197-acre lake located 8.5 miles east of Hackensack, Minnesota. Widow Lake has 2.98 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 46 feet. There is a DNR-owned public access on the south end of the lake off County Road 46.
Widow Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear, productive, and have moderate depth. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie, and secondarily for Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Walleye.

Widow Lake offers opportunities for anglers seeking a variety of species that include Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Walleye. Largemouth bass are abundant in Widow Lake, but fish greater than 15 inches in length are uncommon. Largemouth Bass sampled in 2013 had an average length and weight of 10.3 inches and 0.6 pounds and lengths ranged from 5.0 to 14.7 inches. Black Crappie are moderately abundant. Black crappie sampled from the summer assessment in 2013 averaged 7.8 inches in length and lengths ranged 4.3 to 11.6 inches. Northern pike are moderately abundant and generally are small, but fish up to 34 inches long were sampled. Average length and weight of sampled Northern Pike was 18.1 inches and 1.5 pounds. Bluegill were moderately abundant as well and the size structure of the Bluegill population has improved over the years to include fish approaching 8 inches long. Bluegill mean length and weight was 6.2 inches and 0.2 pounds, and lengths ranged from 3.0 to 7.9 inches. Yellow perch numbers declined to a record low in Widow Lake in 2013, and subsequently Walleye gill net catches were also the lowest observed since 1984. Yellow Perch play an integral part in the success of Walleye populations. Walleye ranged in length from 19.8 to 27.0 inches. Other species present that may interest anglers are Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Bowfin (dogfish).

People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Widow Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

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Are there any state parks near Widow Lake?