Nest Lake

How big is Nest Lake?

How deep is Nest Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Nest Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Nest Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Nest Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Nest Lake

Are there boat launches on Nest Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Nest Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Nest Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Nest Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Nest Lake?

A population assessment was conducted on Nest Lake during late-July of 2013. Nest is a large, productive, and moderately deep lake located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 40 feet. Public access sites include one state access along the east portion and one along the west portion of the lake. Development (192 homes, several resorts and recreational vehicle sites, one motel, and Sanderson Girl Scout Camp; 2008 survey) has occurred along the entire shoreline area with the exception of the northwest portion of the lake. Mid-summer-dissolved oxygen levels were below 3.0 ppm at depths greater than 21.0 feet. Water quality was fair (total phosphorus=0.042 mg/l, MNPCA) and clarity was good during mid-July of 2013 (secchi=8.0 feet on 7/15/2013, MNPCA), but clarity was poor by late-July (3.2 feet on 7/29/2013). Non-point nutrient input sources into Nest include residential homes, agricultural row crops, road runoff, and city of New London. There are approximately 20 inlets/tiles that enter Nest Lake. Agricultural row crop drainage into the lake occurs via several inlets/tiles from various locations throughout the lake. The major inlet is the Middle Fork Crow River, which enters along the north shore of Nest Lake. The Middle Fork Crow Reservoir and New London Dam are located about 4 miles upstream of Nest Lake. The New London State Fish Hatchery is located about 1 mile downstream the New London Dam. The Nest Lake outlet drains into Green Lake via the Old Mill Inn Dam. Shoreline substrates are varied with boulder, gravel, sand, rubble, and silt. Boulder and rubble are found near the islands and south shore point areas. Soft substrates (silt, muck, and detritus) are most prevalent in the east bays and north inlet bay area. Emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattails, wild rice) is present in the southwest, west and north portions of the lake. White and yellow water lilies occur frequently in the east bay areas. Submergent vegetation densities (i.e. northern milfoil, coontail, various pondweed species, and filamentous algae) are usually moderate to abundant within the lake. Curly-leaf pondweed can become a nuisance for boating and swimming during most years. Blue-green algae blooms can occur during the late summer months due in part due to excess phosphorus released during the annual late summer die off of curly-leaf pondweed.

Smallmouth bass abundance was moderate (0.67 fish/gillnet) in 2013 compared to similar lakes. The smallmouth bass historical average catch rate is 0.45 fish/gillnet for Nest Lake. The 2013 smallmouth bass average size was moderate (1.07 pounds and 11.24 inches) from gillnets. The smallmouth bass historical average weight is 1.07 pounds from gillnets.

Black crappie numbers were moderate in 2013 (4.67 fish/gillnet), but below the historical average (6.84 fish/gillnet). The 2013 black crappie trapnet catch rate (1.75 fish/trapnet) was low, but near the historical average (1.79 fish/trapnet). The 2013 black crappie average size was small (0.38 pounds, 7.15 inches) from gillnets, but moderate for trapnets (0.60 pounds, 9.33 inches). The 2013 catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches) and larger black crappie was low (1.33 fish/gillnet). Black crappie growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 3-7. The 2012 and 2010 year classes comprised 38% and 21% of the 2013 total black crappie catch.

Northern pike numbers were moderate in 2013 (4.67 fish/gillnet) compared to similar lakes. The northern pike historical average catch rate is 4.96 fish/gillnet. The 2013 northern pike average size was small to moderate (2.75 pounds and 23.24 inches) from gillnets. The northern pike historical average weight is 2.81 pounds from gillnets. The 2013 catch rate of quality size (21.00 inches) and larger northern pike was high (3.33 fish/gillnet). Northern pike growth rates were below the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-7. Approximately 43% of the northern pike captured in the 2013 summer nets were from the 2010 year class.

Yellow perch numbers were low in 2013 (2.33 fish/gillnet) compared to similar lakes and the historical average (16.92 fish/gillnet). The 2013 yellow perch average length (5.82 inches) from gillnets was small, but similar to the historical average (5.89 inches).

Walleye abundance was moderate to high (8.67 fish/gillnet) in 2013 compared to similar lakes. The walleye historical catch rate is 7.02 fish/gillnet for Nest Lake. The 2013 walleye average size was moderate to large (2.51 pounds and 18.23 inches) from gillnets. The walleye historical average weight is 1.61 pounds from gillnets. The 2013 catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches) and larger walleye (8.00 fish/gillnet) was high and above the Nest historical average (3.03 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were within the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-8. The 2010 walleye year class (probably natural reproduction) comprised 41% of the 2013 total walleye net catch.

The walleye population is due to a combination of natural reproduction and walleye stocking (fry, fingerlings and adults) in Nest Lake. There were low to moderate young of year "YOY" walleye numbers captured (due to natural reproduction or fry stocking) in 2013 (20.00 YOY/hour, 6.61 inches average length). The YOY walleye historical average catch rate is 27.11 YOY/hour for Nest Lake. Nest Lake was recently stocked in 2009 (1,126,374 fry), 2010 (2,279 fry), 2011 (1,853 yearlings, 284 pounds; 3,785 fingerlings, 418 pounds; 15 adults, 30 pounds), 2012 (629,789 fry; 2,966 yearlings, 890 pounds; 4,799 fingerlings, 381 pounds) and 2013 (542,744 fry; 24,750 fingerlings, 1,381 pounds; 182 adults, 66 pounds; 125 yearlings, 25 pounds).

Bluegill numbers were low (12.33 fish/trapnet) in 2013 compared to similar lakes and the historical average (34.26 fish/trapnet). The 2013 bluegill average size was moderate (0.24 pounds and 5.67 inches) from trapnets. The bluegill historical average weight is 0.17 pounds from trapnets. The 2013 catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches) and larger bluegill was moderate (5.08 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were within the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-5, but above for ages 6-8. The 2011 and 2009 year classes comprised 50% and 13% respectively of the 2013 total bluegill catch.

Black bullhead numbers were moderate (4.67 fish/gillnet) in 2013 compared to similar lakes. The 2013 black bullhead average size was large (1.29 pounds and 12.74 inches) from gillnets. Yellow bullhead numbers were abundant (30.00 fish/gillnet) in 2013 compared to similar lakes and the historical average (4.54 fish/gillnet). The 2013 yellow bullhead average size was moderate (0.62 pounds and 10.21 inches) from gillnets.

Other fish species of special interest captured in 2013 included moderate numbers of white sucker (4.33 fish/gillnet) and low numbers of channel catfish (0.33 fish/gillnet). The historical average catch rates are 3.74 fish/gillnet and 0.09 fish/gillnet for white sucker and channel catfish respectively. The 2013 white sucker average size was moderate (2.65 pounds and 17.55 inches) from gillnets. The 2013 channel catfish average size was small to moderate (1.41 pounds and 15.31 inches).

Current fish management activities on Nest Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting native 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. A fall electrofishing survey for YOY walleye is scheduled for 2014. A population assessment of all fish species is scheduled during the 2018 summer for Nest Lake.

What is the average air temp for Nest Lake?

Are there any state parks near Nest Lake?