Diamond Lake

How big is Diamond Lake?

How deep is Diamond Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Diamond Lake?

What are the closest cities to Diamond Lake?

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

Diamond Lake

Are there boat launches on Diamond Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Diamond Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Diamond Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Diamond Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Diamond Lake?

A standard survey was conducted on Diamond Lake during 2023. Prior Diamond Lake standard surveys were conducted in mid-July. Gillnets were set in mid-August as part of a statewide Zebra Mussel-Walleye study. Standard trapnets were set in mid-July. A near shore FIBI survey was also conducted in mid-July. A fall night electrofishing survey was conducted for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye on Diamond Lake during late September.

A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass).

Diamond is a moderately large (1,565 acres), productive, and moderately deep (27 feet maximum) lake located in Kandiyohi County. Diamond Lake is highly developed with 352 homes/cabins, one resort, and one County Park/campground (2008 resurvey). The Diamond Lake County Park (55 camping sites) and main public access is located along the northwest side of the lake. A small public access is located on the east shore. Two Northern Pike Spawning Areas "NPSA" (NW corner and SW corner of the lake) had been operated adjacent to Diamond Lake in the past but are no longer used for rearing Northern Pike. Kandiyohi County Road #4 was rerouted around to the west side of the Diamond Lake County Park in 2018. The NPSA water control structure and fish barrier were removed due to the new culvert placement and road upgrades. There are numerous small inlets and one large inlet that drain primarily agricultural row crops via tile systems and wetlands into Diamond. A new perforated multi-culvert barrier was installed in 2012 at the largest inlet in order to prevent adult Common Carp from Diamond entering into three shallow upstream lakes (Hubbard, Wheeler, and Schultz) to spawn and degrade water quality. The outlet connects to the Middle Fork Crow River via a ditch system. The immediate watershed is primarily agriculture with residential homes, hardwoods, and wetlands comprising the remainder. The southeast bay "Dogfish" bay is the least developed portion of the lake. Submergent vegetation species (i.e., coontail, clasping-leaf pondweed, water celery, sago pondweed and northern milfoil) are varied and densities moderate in Diamond. Filamentous algae and water moss were also commonly occurring in Diamond. Curly-leaf pondweed has been a nuisance especially along the north portions of the lake in the past but has been less bothersome in recent years. Free floating vegetation species seen included star duckweed and lesser duckweed. Emergent vegetation present includes mostly hardstem bulrush (north point, east shoreline area) and cattail species (Dogfish Bay). Shoalwater substrates of the main basin are mostly sand, rubble, boulder, and gravel. Silt and muck compose most substrates in Dogfish Bay. Water levels were below average in recent years. Mid-summer dissolved oxygen levels (>7.0 ppm) were good down to 21 feet deep during 2023. Total phosphorus levels were moderate (0.033 ppm) in June of 2008. Water clarity was poor on July 27, 2023 (3.0 feet). Intense blue-green algae blooms were noted in Diamond during the 2023 summer. Diamond has been used as a Walleye egg take site for Spicer "Crow River" strain fish since 2014. Other local Spicer strain Walleye egg take lakes include Koronis, Rice and Elizabeth. Walleye natural reproduction was usually frequent and significant in Diamond prior to 2012 compared to other Spicer Area lakes. Zebra Mussels were documented in Diamond during 2018. Water clarity may increase in the future due to Zebra Mussel presence during the early summer months, but intense blue-green algae blooms will likely occur during mid/late summer months. Diamond is a popular lake for a variety of fish species which include Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass.

A targeted survey was conducted on Diamond in mid-May of 2022 as part of the ongoing statewide Quality Sunfish Initiative. Twelve standard lake survey trapnets were set at historical stations to target Bluegill and Black Crappie. Special regulations for several area lakes (Nest, Long (Hawick, Minnesota), Diamond, George and Florida) currently entail reduced bag limits (i.e., 5 or 10 fish) for Sunfish or Crappie. The Diamond Lake special regulation for Sunfish is a daily bag limit of 5 fish.

Black Crappie numbers were abundant in 2023 gillnets (23.33 fish/gillnet). The 2023 Black Crappie numbers were low in trapnets (2.83 fish/trapnet) The Black Crappie historical catch rates are 8.63 fish/gillnet and 6.66 fish/trapnet. The Black Crappie average weights and lengths were moderate for gillnets (0.47 pounds, 9.08 inches) and trapnets (0.64 pounds, 10.30 inches) in 2023. The historical average weights were 0.28 and 0.36 pounds for gillnets and trapnets respectively. The 2023 catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches plus) Black Crappie was high (15.33 fish/gillnet). The 2023 catch rate of preferred size (10.00 inches plus) Black Crappie was also high (11.00 fish/gillnet). Black Crappie growth rates were moderate to excellent in Diamond. The 2019 year class comprised 51% of the 2023 Black Crappie gillnet and trapnet catch.

Bluegill numbers were low in 2023 (1.42 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 11.58 fish/trapnet. The 2023 Bluegill average size was large (0.31 pounds and 6.81 inches) from trapnets. Low numbers of large Bluegill (3.67 fish/gillnet, 7.03 inches and 0.32 pounds) were captured in the 2023 gillnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.22 pounds and 0.36 pounds respectively from trapnets and gillnets. The 2023 catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches plus) Bluegill was low (0.75 fish/trapnet).

A spring boat electrofishing survey for Largemouth Bass was not conducted due to time constraints in 2023. Largemouth Bass were not captured in gillnets or low trapnets, but abundant small/YOY fish were captured by seining and back-pack electrofishing during 2023.

Northern Pike numbers were moderate in 2023 (6.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 5.15 fish/gillnet. The 2023 Northern Pike average size was moderate (2.80 pounds and 23.34 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.75 pounds from gillnets. The 2023 catch rate of preferred size (28.00 inches plus) Northern Pike was low (0.33 fish/gillnet). Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Diamond in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26.0 inches; and all from 22.0 to 26.0 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22.0 and 26.0 inches or two larger than 26.0 inches.

Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2023 (13.00 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 46.88 fish/gillnet. The 2023 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.12 pounds and 6.37 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.14 pounds from gillnets.

Walleye numbers were abundant in 2023 (30.33 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 18.73 fish/gillnet for Diamond. The 2023 Walleye average size was moderate (1.53 pounds and 14.70 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.78 pounds from gillnets. The 2023 catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches plus) Walleye was high (10.00 fish/gillnet). The 2018 catch rate of preferred size (20.00 inches plus) Walleye was moderate (5.00 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were fair. The two prominent Walleye year classes present in the 2023 gillnet catch were from 2022 (41%) and 2021 (29%). Older Walleye (ages 7-17) were also captured in the 2023 survey.

Low YOY Walleye numbers (4.00 fish/hour, 7.15 inches) were caught in the 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant Walleye yearling numbers (20.50 fish/hour, 10.53 inches) were caught in 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (70.80 YOY/hour, 6.37 inches) were caught in the 2022 fall night electrofishing survey (fry stocked). Walleye hatch or fry stocking survival was good in many local lakes during 2022. Moderate Walleye yearling or age 2 fish numbers (8.40 fish/hour) were caught in 2022. YOY Walleye numbers were low in the 2021 fall electrofishing survey (4.50 YOY/hour, 6.26 inches). Moderate yearling and adult Walleye numbers (21.00 fish/hour) were caught in 2021. YOY Walleye numbers were also low in the 2020 fall electrofishing survey (0.50 YOY/hour, 7.09 inches). Low yearling Walleye numbers (1.50 fish/hour, 11.13 inches) were caught in 2020. YOY Walleye numbers were abundant in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey (110.00 YOY/hour, 7.03 inches). The YOY Walleye catch rate was low (4.00 YOY/hour) in the 2018 fall electrofishing survey. Low YOY catch rates (< 15 YOY/hour) were documented from 2012-2018. The 2018 Walleye YOY average size (7.68 inches) was large. The 2015 YOY catch rate was 13.33 YOY/hour with 14% coming from an Oxytetracycline "OTC" marked fry stocking and the remaining from natural reproduction. The 2014 YOY catch rate (8.00 YOY/hour) was a 100% from an OTC marked fry stocking. The Diamond Lake historical average YOY Walleye catch rate is 94.38 YOY/hour. The 2011 YOY Walleye catch rate was 104.52 YOY/hour (6.94 inches). Abundant numbers of yearling Walleye were sampled in a 2014 (54.00 fish/hour, 8.66 inches) and 2017 (24.00 fish/hour, 9.24 inches) fall electrofishing surveys. OTC returns from fry stockings were low in the 2018 gillnet catches (0%, 2017; 7.7%, 2016; 22.2%, 2015; 0%, 2014). Recent Walleye stockings included 2013 (33,889 fingerlings, 1,405 pounds Pike River strain), 2014 (825,505 Spicer strain fry; 1,314 Pike River strain fingerlings, 146 pounds; 3,454 Pike River strain yearlings, 359 pounds), 2015 (804,992 Spicer strain fry; 47,091 Spicer strain fingerlings, 1,917 pounds), 2016 (1,290,613 Spicer strain fry), 2017 (1,081,936 Spicer strain fry; 20,784 Spicer strain yearlings, 1,392 pounds stocked in 2017 spring; 207 adults, 84 pounds) and 2018 (930,788 Spicer strain fry) and 2019 (751,366 fish). No Walleye fry were stocked in 2020. Spicer Strain Walleye fry were stocked in 2021 (761,438 fish), 2022 (636,132 fish) and 2023 (1,010,477 fish) in Diamond. Walleye fingerlings (4,591 Spicer Strain fish, 935 lbs.) were stocked in Diamond during late October of 2021 due to consecutive low YOY Walleye catches in 2020 and 2021.

Black Bullhead numbers were low in 2023 (1.33 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rates are 29.66 fish/gillnet and 14.01 fish/trapnet. Black Bullhead were absent in the 2023 trapnets. Black Bullhead abundance was the highest (221.00 fish/gillnet) during the 2003 survey. The 2023 Black Bullhead average weight was large (1.16 pounds) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.95 pounds for gillnets.

Yellow Bullhead numbers were abundant in 2023 (13.67 fish/gillnet). The 2023 Yellow Bullhead average size was large (0.93 pounds).

Common Carp numbers were moderate in 2023 (1.00 fish/gillnet) and slightly above the historical average catch rate of 0.72 fish/gillnet. Low numbers of Common Carp (0.25 fish/trapnet) were captured in the 2023 trapnets. The 2023 Common Carp average weights were 8.27 pounds and 11.94 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets.

A nearshore fish survey was also conducted in the 2023 summer. Seine hauls were conducted at 16 Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity "FIBI" stations. One seining station was sampled with a bag seine of 50 foot width and 1/8 inch bar mesh in depths of 3.5 feet or less. Fifteen seining stations were sampled with a bag sein of 15 foot width and 1/8 inch bar mesh at stations because of dense submergent vegetation. Near shore electrofishing was conducted at all 15 FIBI Stations with a back-pack unit in water depths generally less than 2 feet deep. The 16 FIBI Stations were spaced equally apart around the entire shoreline of the lake in a variety of near shore habitats. Each station was approximately 100 feet long. Two back-pack electrofishing runs were conducted with the initial run of 100 feet near the shore-water interface in depths of < 1 foot and the second run of 100 feet long about 10-20 feet from shore in depths up to 2 feet. Twenty fish species were captured in the near shore sampling gear. Low species numbers of intolerant habitat disturbance (Banded Killifish and Iowa Darter) were captured in Diamond Lake. Tolerant fish species captured included Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. FIBI tool 2 was used for scoring and resulted in an FIBI score of 18 which is below the impairment threshold (45).

The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the North Fork Crow River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.


Current fish management activities on Diamond include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, participating in local watershed initiatives, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, and stocking various fish species as warranted. A fall electrofishing survey is scheduled to assess Walleye natural reproduction or fry stocking annually. A survey of the Diamond Lake fish population is currently scheduled for 2025.

What is the average air temp for Diamond Lake?

Are there any state parks near Diamond Lake?