Willmar Lake

How big is Willmar Lake?

How deep is Willmar Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Willmar Lake?

What are the closest cities to Willmar Lake?

Are there boat launches on Willmar Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Willmar Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Willmar Lake?

A population assessment was conducted on Willmar Lake during mid-July of 2014. Willmar is a moderate sized (636 acres), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Willmar is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Willmar Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. Willmar Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. A large city park is located along the south side of the lake. Willmar Lake has one public boat access on the south shore. Willmar Lake is also connected to Foot Lake via a downstream navigable outlet channel. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake probably occurs frequently. There are several shallow lakes upstream of Willmar Lake connected via ditches and inlets to Willmar Lake. There are 15 inlets/tiles that enter Willmar Lake. Nutrient inputs into Willmar Lake are from varied sources such as road runoff via Highway 23/71, storm sewer runoff from the city of Willmar, golf course runoff via inlets, residential lawn runoff, fecal droppings from local Canada goose populations, and agricultural runoff primarily along the northwest shore. Water clarity was poor (secchi=1.2 feet) on July 24, 2014. The water color is brown stained due to lake sediments. Willmar has a maximum depth of 14 feet with sparse submergent vegetation (sago pondweed, coontail, curly-leaf pondweed, water moss) throughout the lake. Emergent vegetation (cattails) is common near the Willmar Lake outlet channel area. Blue-green algae blooms are common occurrences during the late summer months of most years. Water levels were high during June and July of 2014 from inlets due to rain events, but low by fall. A slow no-wake zone was put in place for lakes in Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties during June thru early July of 2014. Willmar Lake has been a popular fishing lake for black crappie, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, channel catfish and largemouth bass in recent years. Shore fishing areas include the Robbin's Island Park and road right away areas especially next to culverts. The DNR Spicer Area Fisheries Office manages Willmar for walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, black crappie and yellow perch.

Yellow perch numbers were low in 2014 (3.50 fish/gillnet), but similar to the historical average of 2.88 fish/gillnet. The yellow perch average size was small (0.11 pounds and 6.05 inches) from gillnets. The yellow perch historical average weight is 0.16 pounds from gillnets.

Northern pike numbers were moderately abundant in 2014 (5.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average of 4.29 fish/gillnet. The 2014 northern pike average size was moderate (4.18 pounds and 25.09 inches) from gillnets. The northern pike historical average weight is 3.84 pounds from gillnets. Northern pike growth rates were moderate to excellent. The 2009 and 2008 year classes combined comprised 42% of the 2014 northern pike catch. There were also moderately abundant numbers of larger (28.0 plus inches) northern pike (2.00 fish/gillnet) captured in gillnets. The largest northern pike captured was 35.0 inches from a trapnet in 2014.

Bluegill numbers were moderately abundant in 2014 (12.33 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average of 6.12 fish/trapnet. The 2014 bluegill average size was small (0.12 pounds and 5.32 inches) from trapnets. The bluegill historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets. Low numbers of moderate sized (6.00 plus inches) bluegills (2.83 fish/trapnet) were captured in trapnets. The largest bluegill captured was 8.3 inches from a trapnet.

Black crappie numbers were abundant in 2014 (17.33 fish/trapnet, 12.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical averages (7.94 fish/trapnet and 10.36 fish/gillnet). The 2014 black crappie average size was small (0.22 pounds and 6.38 inches) from trapnets. The black crappie historical average weight is 0.27 pounds from trapnets. Low numbers of larger (10.00 plus inches) black crappie (2.00 fish/trapnet) were captured in the 2014 trapnets. The largest black crappie captured was 12.0 inches from a trapnet in 2014. Black crappie growth rates were excellent. The 2013 year class (4-6 inches) comprised 70% of the 2014 black crappie catch.

Walleye numbers were moderately abundant in 2014 (14.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range for similar lakes, but slightly below the historical average catch rate of 17.33 fish/gillnet. Walleye were less abundant in connected Foot Lake 2014 gillnets (2.00 fish/gillnet, 2.87 pounds average weight). The 2014 walleye average size was moderate (1.63 pounds and 15.63 inches) from Willmar gillnets. The walleye historical average weight is 1.25 pounds from gillnets. There were abundant numbers of moderate sized (15.00 plus inches) walleye (9.50 fish/gillnet) captured in the gillnets. Walleye growth rates were moderate. The 2010 year class (fry stocked) comprised 51% of the 2014 walleye catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Willmar is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Young of year "YOY" walleye due to fry stockings have been generally abundant in recent fall electrofishing surveys since 2008. Abundant numbers of YOY walleye were captured in the 2014 fall electrofishing survey (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches average length) due to the recent fry stocking (326,305 fish).

Channel catfish numbers were low in 2014 (0.00 fish/gillnet; 0.33 fish/trapnet, 4.71 pounds average weight). The historical average catch rates are 0.48 fish/gillnet and 0.31 fish/trapnet. Channel catfish fingerlings (4,225 fish, 65 pounds) were last stocked in 2013.

Black bullhead numbers were low in 2014 (30.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average of 131.60 fish/gillnet. The black bullhead average size was moderate (0.65 pounds and 10.47 inches) from gillnets. The black bullhead historical average weight is 0.39 pounds from gillnets.

Carp numbers were moderate abundant in 2014 (3.33 fish/trapnet), but similar to the historical average of 3.14 fish/trapnet for Willmar. The 2014 carp average size was large (5.98 pounds and 22.99 inches) from trapnets. The carp historical average weight is 5.35 pounds from trapnets.

Freshwater drum numbers were abundant in 2014 (14.00 fish/gillnet), but similar to the historical average of 14.10 fish/gillnet. The 2014 freshwater drum average size was moderate (0.78 pounds and 11.81 inches) from gillnets.

Current fish management activities on Willmar include protecting the important aquatic habitats such as emergent and submergent vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species in Willmar Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2019.

What is the average air temp for Willmar Lake?

Are there any state parks near Willmar Lake?