Winsted Lake

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How deep is Winsted Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Winsted Lake?

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Winsted Lake

Are there boat launches on Winsted Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Winsted Lake?

A targeted survey (standard summer gill netting), focusing on walleye, was conducted at Winsted Lake in 2015. A spring night-time electrofishing survey (standard spring time period), targeting largemouth bass, was also conducted. Black crappie, northern pike, and walleye were listed as a primary species, while bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and channel catfish were listed as secondary species in the lake management plan. In 2015, water clarity was fair. The color of the lake was green, due to an algae bloom. A fishing pier was present at the Winsted city park on the west side of the lake. An aeration system is operated by the Winsted Lake Watershed Association, to reduce the frequency and severity of winterkill at Winsted Lake. Winter anglers and spearers need to especially cautious of the thin ice and open water area. No severe winterkills have been documented for many years at Winsted. Curly-leaf pondweed, an invasive aquatic plant, was present at Winsted and can reach nuisance levels, especially in May and June.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (39) of walleye for a catch rate of 4.3/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. Walleye were only gill netted one other time (1994) at Winsted, between 1974 and 2015. The 1994 catch rate was 0.1/net. In 2015, gill netted walleye were 13.4 inches to 22.0 inches long with an average of 16.9 inches. Approximately 51% of the gill net catch was 17 inches or longer, indicating a quality size structure. Walleye were 2 and 4 years old with 2 year-classes present. Age-2 and age-4 fish corresponded to years when walleye fry were stocked in Winsted, accounting for 100% of the gill net aged fish. Growth of walleyes was considered fast. The current walleye fry stocking regime (382,450 fry every-other-year) was initiated in 2011 and appears to be working.

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (64) of northern pike for a catch rate of 7.1/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was 3.2/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.5/net to 13.7/net with an average of 6.1/net, indicating a moderate abundance most years. In 2015, gill netted northern pike were 11.9 inches to 29.2 inches long with an average of 20.5 inches. Approximately 34% of the sample was 22 inches or longer, indicating a good size structure. Northern pike were not aged in 2015, but the size distribution indicated that multiple year-classes were present.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (21) of yellow perch for a catch rate of 2.4/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was 36.9/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.0/net to 36.9/net with an average of 12.9/net. Gill netted yellow perch were 5.4 inches to 9.5 inches long with an average of 7.2 inches. Approximately 29% of the catch was 8 inches or longer. Yellow perch were not aged. Yellow perch were likely an important forage base for walleye and northern pike.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (12) of channel catfish for a catch rate of 1.3/net. The 2009 catch rate was higher at 5.7/net. Historic gill net catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were mostly low, ranging from 0.0/net to 5.7/net with an average of 1.0/net. Channel catfish were 8.6 inches to 29.7 inches long with an average of 18.5 inches. Channel catfish were not aged, but the size distribution indicated that multiple year-classes were present. The presence of four 8.5 to 9.5 inch fish likely indicated that natural reproduction was occurring within Winsted. Channel catfish have never been stocked in Winsted Lake. They likely moved over the outlet dam during a flood event, establishing themselves at Winsted.

Gill nets sampled high numbers (541) of black crappie for a catch rate of 60.1/net, which was above the normal range and the highest ever recorded at Winsted. The 2009 catch rate was also high at 29.3/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.0 /net to 60.1/net with an average of 15.0/net. In 2015, black crappies were 4.0 inches to 11.1 inches long with an average of 6.6 inches. Approximately 4% of the gill net catch was 9 inches or longer. Growth was slow for black crappie. Fishing should get even better over the next couple of years as fish grow to a more acceptable size.

Spring night-time electrofishing sampled 14 largemouth bass for a catch rate of 10.5/hr, which was the lowest ever recorded at Winsted Lake. The 2009 catch rate was 36.8/hr. Historic catch rates from 2007 to 2015 ranged from 10.5/hr to 103.5/hr with an average of 50.3/hr. In 2015, Largemouth bass were 7.6 inches to 17.4 inches long with an average of 13.7 inches. Approximately 79% of the catch was 13 inches or longer. Largemouth bass were 2 to 6 years old with 4 year-classes present. Overall, growth was fast.

Gill nets, not being the standard gear used to assess bluegill populations, only sampled 2 fish in 2015. However, the two fish that were caught were impressive (8.2 and 8.3 inches long), indicating that quality sized fish were present at Winsted Lake.

Gill nets sampled low to moderate numbers (11) of common carp for a catch rate of 1.2/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was 0.6/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.3/net to 65.3/net with an average of 11.6/net. Gill netted common carp were 8.9 inches to 25.3 inches long, indicating that multiple year-classes were present.

Gill nets sampled low numbers (102) of black bullhead for a catch rate of 11.3/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake and the lowest ever measured at Winsted. The 2009 catch rate was similar at 14.8/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were highly variable ranging from 11.3/net to 294.3/net with an average of 90.1/net. Gill netted black bullhead were 9.1 inches to 11.6 inches long with an average of 10.6 inches. Approximately 24% of the gill net sample was 11 inches or longer, indicating a population that should appeal to black bullhead anglers.

What is the average air temp for Winsted Lake?