Shetek Lake

How big is Shetek Lake?

How deep is Shetek Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Shetek Lake?

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

Lake Shetek

Are there boat launches on Shetek Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Shetek Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Shetek Lake?

Lake Shetek is a 3,596-acre lake located in Murray County and is the largest lake in the Windom fisheries management area. The lake has a maximum depth of 10.0 ft. and typically has poor water quality likely a result from its agricultural watershed. Aeration systems were installed in the mid 1970's in both the north and south lake and have limited the frequency and severity of winterkills that have occurred since. Lake Shetek is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike. Walleye fry are stocked 2 out of 3 years and Northern Pike fingerlings are stocked when available. A survey was conducted on August 8, 2016 to monitor fish populations using six gill nets and 14 trap nets.

The 2016 Walleye gill net catch rate was 7.3 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.2 to 15.3 per gill net) and slightly greater than the 2014 catch rate of 5.8 per gill net. The trap net catch rate was 4.6 per trap net, which is much higher than expected catch rates in similar lakes. The gill net catch rate was likely affected by the abundant Channel Catfish caught in the gill net (16.5 per gill net), as they tend to tangle the gill net. Walleye lengths ranged from 8.7 to 26.0 inches and averaged 13.5 inches. Growth of Walleye was slower than what is typical in SW MN, as the mean length at age 3 was 12.0 inches. Age-1 (2015 year class), age-2 (2014 year class), and age-3 (2013 year class) Walleye comprised 8 percent, 11 percent, and 74 percent of the sample, respectively, with the age-2 and age-3 walleye corresponding to stocking events. Walleye were not stocked in 2015, so the age-1 Walleye are likely the result of natural reproduction. Anglers have reported an excellent Walleye bite on Lake Shetek during the 2016-2017 ice fishing season.

The 2016 Northern Pike catch rate was 0.6 per trap net, similar to catch rates observed two previous surveys and similar to the long term average for Lake Shetek. Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 20.4 to 32.2 inches and averaged 26.4 inches, but the Northern Pike were skinny. Anglers have had success angling for Northern Pike in the inlet area of Lake Shetek during the 2016-2017 ice fishing season.

The 2016 Black Crappie catch rate was 10.1 per trap net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.0 to 12.3 per trap net), and an increase from the 2014 catch rate of 6.4 per trap net. Black crappie lengths ranged from 3.7 to 10.5 inches and averaged 7.4 inches. Anglers have reported good crappie angling at the mouth of the inlet of Lake Shetek during the 2016-2017 ice fishing season. Crappie angling should be good in the spring of 2017 when they are in shallow spawning.

Lake Shetek was stocked with 260 pounds of adult Yellow Perch in 2015 because of several years of low catch rates. Despite the stocking, the 2016 Yellow Perch catch rate was 0.3 per gill net, which is below the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.0 to 22.5 per gill net). Lengths of Yellow Perch ranged from 5.7 to 10.0 inches and averaged 7.5 inches. Currently, it appears that there is not a fishable population of Yellow Perch in Lake Shetek, but enough brood stock is likely present to produce a year class if conditions are favorable.

Black Bullhead were caught at a rate of 4.5 per gill net, the second lowest catch rate ever recorded on Lake Shetek. Black Bullhead lengths ranged from 6.6 to 11.2 inches and averaged 10.0 inches. The 2016 Common Carp catch rate was 2.2 per trap net, similar to catch rates dating back to 2006. The Channel Catfish catch rate was 16.5 per gill net, which is the highest observed catch rate on Lake Shetek since the onset of surveys in 1983. Channel Catfish ranged in length from 12.1 to 24.8 inches and averaged 15.2 inches. Other species sampled included Bigmouth Buffalo, Brown Bullhead, Bluegill, Quillback, White Crappie, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Shetek Lake?

Are there any state parks near Shetek Lake?