Henderson Lake

How big is Henderson Lake?

How deep is Henderson Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Henderson Lake?

What are the closest cities to Henderson Lake?

Are there boat launches on Henderson Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Henderson Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Henderson Lake?

A re-survey was conducted on Henderson Lake in early July of 2014. Henderson is a small (75 acres), deep (57 feet maximum), and lowly productive lake (2014 total phosphorus=0.015 ppm) located in Kandiyohi County. Henderson is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. The water clarity was excellent on July 7, 2014 (secchi=9.0 feet). Dissolved oxygen was less than 1.0 ppm below 24 feet deep on July 7, 2014. Submergent vegetation (various pondweeds, water moss, coontail, and northern milfoil) was moderate to abundant within the littoral area of the lake. Filamentous algae was notable along the northeast corner of the lake in 2014. Algae blooms with a brown/red color have occasionally occurred in past years during the fall or spring turnover periods. Emergent vegetation is limited to a few small stands of hardstem bulrush along the west shore and common cattail along the west bay area. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, gravel, and rubble. The immediate watershed is small with hardwoods, wetlands, residential housing, pastures, agricultural row crops, and grasslands. There are no discernable inlets that flow into the lake. The outlet is connected to a marsh area west of the lake. The marsh area can connect to Ringo Lake during high water via a 30 inch steel culvert under U.S. Highway 71. Less desirable species such as black bullhead and carp have moved into Henderson from Ringo during high water events. Water levels were high during June and July of 2014. A slow no-wake zone was put in place for lakes in Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties during June thru early July of 2014. The DNR Spicer Fisheries Office manages Henderson Lake for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch, and walleye.

Largemouth bass were moderately abundant (54.71 fish/hour) in a 2014 spring electrofishing survey. The largemouth bass historical average catch rate is 57.27 fish/hour for Henderson Lake. The 2014 largemouth bass average size was small (0.78 pounds and 11.33 inches) from spring electrofishing. The historical average weight and length were 1.17 pounds and 12.42 inches. Low numbers of larger (15.00 plus inches) largemouth bass (3.53 fish/hour) were captured in 2014. Largemouth bass growth rates were poor. The 2010 year class comprised 43% of the 2014 total largemouth bass spring electrofishing catch.

Black crappie numbers were low (2.00 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (16.99 fish/trapnet). The 2014 black crappie average size was moderate (0.45 pounds and 9.27 inches) from trapnets. The black crappie historical average weight is 0.33 pounds from trapnets. Black crappie growth rates were poor. All of the black crappie captured were from either the 2009 or 2008 year classes.

Northern pike numbers of small fish (2.09 pounds and 20.43 inches average size) were abundant in 2014 (10.50 fish/gillnet) especially compared to the historical average of 5.43 fish/gillnet. The northern pike historical average weight is 3.18 pounds from gillnets. Northern pike growth rates were poor for ages 1-3, but excellent for ages 4-5. The majority of northern pike were from the 2012 and 2011 year classes. The largest northern pike captured was 32.7 inches from a gillnet in 2014. There have been occasional reports of large northern pike (10 pound plus) harvested in recent years from Henderson.

Yellow perch were absent in both 2014 gillnets and trapnets. There were 4.67 yellow perch/gillnet in the previous 2009 assessment. The yellow perch historical average catch rate is 15.63 fish/gillnet. Adult perch were last stocked into Henderson during 2002 (556 fish, 270 pounds).

Walleye numbers were low in 2014 (1.50 fish/gillnet) but similar to the historical average of 1.61 fish/gillnet. The walleye average size was moderate (1.02 pounds and 14.32 inches) from 2014 gillnets. The walleye historical average weight was 2.46 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were poor. The majority of walleye captured were from 2010 and 2011 year classes. Walleye yearlings or adults have been stocked in recent years instead of fingerlings due to better potential survival in lakes with abundant bass and northern pike populations. Walleye natural reproduction has generally been infrequent and insignificant in Henderson Lake based on previous surveys.

Bluegill numbers were low in 2014 (12.17 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average of 115.72 fish/trapnet. The bluegill average size was moderate (0.19 pounds and 5.85 inches) from trapnets. The bluegill historical average weight is 0.13 pounds from trapnets. The largest bluegill captured was 8.0 inches from a trapnet in 2014. There were moderate numbers of bluegill 6.0 plus inches (7.33 fish/trapnet), but low numbers of bluegill 8 plus inches (0.17 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were generally poor to fair for ages 1-6. A variety of bluegill year classes were captured in 2014.

Black bullhead numbers were low in 2014 (0.17 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (1.24 fish/trapnet). The 2014 black bullhead average size was large (1.34 pounds and 13.27 inches) from trapnets. The black bullhead historical average weight is 0.90 pounds from trapnets.

Common carp were not captured in 2014 (0.00 fish/gillnet). The carp historical average catch rate is 0.52 fish/gillnet.

Current fish management activities on Henderson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Henderson Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2019 spring for largemouth bass and summer for all fish species.

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Are there any state parks near Henderson Lake?