Tetonka Lake

How big is Tetonka Lake?

How deep is Tetonka Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Tetonka Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Tetonka 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 Tetonka Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Lake Tetonka East

Lake Tetonka West

Are there boat launches on Tetonka Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Tetonka Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Tetonka Lake?

Introduction
Tetonka Lake is a 1,336 acre lake located in Le Sueur County near the town of Waterville. A DNR-owned public access located on the west side of Antl Bay off Le Sueur County Road 14. There is also a city-owned access on the Cannon River within the town of Waterville off 1st Street near the blue water tower. Tetonka Lake has a mean depth of 19 feet and a maximum depth of 35 feet. Based on limnological variables, Tetonka Lake is placed in lake class 24. Other lakes in this lake class include Madison (Blue Earth County), Mazaska (Rice County), and Reeds (Waseca County). Tetonka Lake is managed primarily for walleye and channel catfish and secondarily for northern pike. Walleye fry have been stocked in Tetonka Lake three out of four years since 2004, while northern pike and channel catfish are stocked periodically. Tetonka Lake was surveyed the week of July 21, 2014 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying trap nets and gill nets, as well as recording water quality parameters.

Walleye
The walleye gill net catch rate in the 2014 survey was 1.8 fish/net, which was just above the long-term average of 1.5 fish/gill net in Tetonka Lake. Walleye abundance has remained relatively stable over the past 25 years, ranging from 1.2 to 2.6 fish/net since 1989. The total length of walleye from gill nets ranged from 7.0 to 24.0 and averaged about 13.0 inches, indicating a relatively small size structure. Walleye growth in Tetonka Lake appears to be slightly slower than similar lakes in the area, which may play a role in the small size structure. Numerous year classes were represented in this survey, as Tetonka Lake is stocked with walleye regularly (three of every four years). Natural reproduction of walleye is also suspected to occur, at least to some degree, throughout the Cannon River chain of lakes.

Yellow perch
Yellow perch were the most abundant fish species observed in the gill nets, averaging 9.1 fish/net. This was above the long-term average for yellow perch catch rates in Tetonka Lake (6.6 fish/net). Yellow perch gill net catch rates in Tetonka Lake have remained relatively stable since 1981. The length of yellow perch in 2014 ranged from 5.0 to 10.5 inches and averaged 7.0 inches, indicating a relatively small size structure of yellow perch. Although some yellow perch angling opportunities exist in Tetonka Lake, anecdotal reports indicate mostly small fish are caught.

Bluegill
Bluegill abundances were low during the 2014 survey. Bluegill catch rates were the lowest in about 30 years at 1.1 fish/trap net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.2 to 7.9 inches, with most fish measuring over 7 inches. Although bluegill catch rates were low during this survey, the numbers may not necessarily reflect actual population levels. Similar to angling, abiotic variables can affect fish patterns and behavior, potentially affecting their susceptibility to net catch. For example, bluegill may have inhabited deeper water at the time of this survey, thus greatly reducing their susceptibility to near shore trap net catch.

Black crappie
Black crappie abundance was low during the 2014 survey, with gill nets yielding only 3.3 fish/net. This catch rate was similar to the survey conducted in 2009, which yielded 3.1 fish/gill net. Trap net catch rates of black crappie were also low, averaging only 0.9 fish/net. Black crappie lengths from both net types ranged from 4.0 to 11.0 inches, averaging 6.7 inches. Anglers often target black crappie in Tetonka Lake, especially during ice covered periods. However, anecdotal reports indicate most fish that are caught are 10 inches or less in total length.

Northern pike
The northern pike catch rate in the 2014 survey was 1.2 fish/gill net, which closely represents the long-term average for Tetonka Lake (1.1 fish/gill net). Although the relative abundance of northern pike in Tetonka Lake is below average compared to similar lakes in the area, the average length was about 29.0 inches and ranged from 24.0 to 34.0 inches, indicating a good size structure of northern pike in Tetonka Lake for angling and spearing. Northern pike fry were stocked recently in Tetonka Lake in 2010, 2011, and 2013.

Channel catfish
Channel catfish are present in Tetonka Lake, although in low abundance. The gill net catch rate in 2014 was 0.6 fish/net, while the trap nets collected only 0.1 fish/net. All channel catfish collected in the 2014 survey ranged from 18.0 to 20.0 inches in total length. Although channel catfish from this survey were not aged, the size structure suggests that only one year class was sampled in 2014. A surplus stocking plan exists for Tetonka Lake and channel catfish were last stocked in 2010.

White bass
White bass are also present in Tetonka Lake, apparently as a result of natural reproduction since they are not stocked. Gill nets yielded 1.3 white bass/net in the 2014 survey. White bass abundance in Tetonka Lake has varied throughout the sampling history, ranging from 6.0 fish/net in 1989 to 0.6 fish/net in 1994. This variability is likely affected by spawning success, or lack thereof, from year to year. The total length of white bass from gill nets in this survey ranged from 7.3 to 15.2 inches and averaged 13.1 inches. White bass in Tetonka Lake offer a quality fishing opportunity for anglers looking for hard fighting fish and good table fare.

Other species
Although only one largemouth bass (19.3 inches) was collected in this survey, both largemouth and smallmouth bass are present in Tetonka Lake. Since largemouth and smallmouth bass are not effectively sampled in gill and trap nets, an electrofishing survey is scheduled for spring 2015 to assess the populations. Other fish collected in this survey included black and yellow bullheads, freshwater drum, bowfin, white sucker, common carp, and bigmouth buffalo.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

What is the average air temp for Tetonka Lake?

Are there any state parks near Tetonka Lake?