Hendricks Lake

How big is Hendricks Lake?

How deep is Hendricks Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Hendricks Lake?

What are the closest cities to Hendricks Lake?

Are there boat launches on Hendricks Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Hendricks Lake?

Hendricks Lake is located in southwest Minnesota adjacent to the town of Hendricks. It is a highly productive 1,600 acre lake that has a maximum depth of 12 feet. It is located on the Minnesota-South Dakota border and is subject to border water fishing regulations. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks cooperatively manage the fishery. Primary game fish include Walleyes, Yellow Perch, White Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappies and Black Bullheads. An aeration system is operated some winters and anglers should use caution when traveling on the lake.

Good natural reproduction by Walleyes has occurred at times, however supplemental stockings have been necessary to maintain the population. Various sizes of Walleyes have been stocked, including fry, fingerlings and yearlings, depending on existing Walleye numbers, growth rates and available forage. Recent stockings have been successful and decent numbers of Walleyes were present in 2016 from a wide range of sizes. Walleye fry will be stocked during the spring of 2017.

Yellow Perch were abundant in 2016 and measured 6-12 inches. Seven year classes were present and growth was good. The 2013 year class was strong and in 2016 these fish averaged 10 inches. Yellow Perch tend to grow quickly and die young in the lake, and perch older than five years are rarely caught.

Moderate numbers of Northern Pike were present in 2016 and they measured 19 to 36 inches. The 2014 year class was most abundant and those fish averaged 25 inches. Northern Pike have experienced fast growth and early mortality as few pike over four years of age have been sampled. Northern Pike recruitment has been quite variable and dependent on spawning conditions. Pike have experienced good natural reproduction when suitable spawning conditions have been present, but poor reproduction otherwise. Natural reproduction has been adequate to maintain the pike population.

White Bass were abundant in 2016 with two distinct size classes present. The 2015 and 2012 year classes were prevalent and averaged 9 and 15 inches, respectively. White Bass typically experience good reproduction and high numbers of young-of-year White Bass have generally been observed during fall electrofishing. White Bass have a delicate white flesh and provide excellent table fair. Their flavor can be further improved by trimming the reddish "mud line" meat from the fillets when cleaning. Anglers are encouraged to harvest and eat them.

Black Crappie numbers have been highly variable. A strong 2010 year class provided good fishing for several years, however many of those fish are no longer in the population. A moderately strong 2015 year class is expected to provide decent fishing during the next couple of years. Some older crappies that measured up to 13 inches were present during 2016.

Future fisheries management activities include annual monitoring of winter dissolved oxygen and fishing pressure, netting surveys, fall night electrofishing and Walleye stocking.

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Are there any state parks near Hendricks Lake?