Henderson Lake

How big is Henderson Lake?

How deep is Henderson Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Henderson Lake?

What are the closest cities to Henderson Lake?

Are there boat launches on Henderson Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Henderson Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Henderson Lake?

A standard survey was conducted on Henderson Lake in mid-July of 2020. 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).

Henderson is a small (75 acres), deep (57 feet maximum), and low productivity lake (2014 total phosphorus=0.015 ppm) located in Kandiyohi County. Henderson is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. The water clarity was excellent on July 13, 2020 (secchi=12.0 feet). Dissolved oxygen was less than 1.0 ppm below 24 feet deep on July 13, 2020. Aquatic vegetation (clasping-leaf pondweed, bushy pondweed, sago pondweed, water moss, muskgrass, filamentous algae, coontail, and northern milfoil) was moderate to abundant within the littoral area of the lake. Eurasian water milfoil was present at 80% of the transect sites. Eurasian water milfoil was first documented during 2018 in Henderson. Algae blooms with a brown/red color have occasionally occurred in past years during the fall or spring turnover periods. Emergent vegetation is limited to a few small stands of hardstem bulrush along the west shore and cattails along the west bay area. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, gravel, and rubble. The lake is highly developed (51 homes, 2020 survey). The immediate watershed is small with hardwoods, wetlands, residential housing, pastures, agricultural row crops, and grasslands. There are no discernable inlets that flow into the lake. The outlet is connected to a wetland area west of the lake. The wetland area can connect to Ringo Lake during high water via a 30 inch steel culvert under U.S. Highway 71. Less desirable species such as Black Bullhead and Common Carp have moved into Henderson from Ringo during high water events. Water levels were low during 2020. The DNR Spicer Fisheries Office manages Henderson Lake for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Walleye.

Black Crappie numbers were low in 2020 (0.83 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 15.83 fish/trapnet. Black Crappie were absent in the 2020 gillnets. The 2020 Black Crappie average size was large (0.64 pounds and 10.43 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.35 pounds from trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were slow for ages 1-8. The 2015 and 2014 year classes comprised 60% and 40% of the 2020 Black Crappie catch.

Bluegill numbers were low in 2020 (1.17 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 107.54 fish/trapnet for Henderson Lake. The 2020 Bluegill gillnet catch rate (7.00 fish/gillnet) was above the historical average (3.29 fish/gillnet). The 2020 Bluegill average size was large from trapnets (0.29 pounds and 6.96 inches) and gillnets (0.24 pounds and 6.77 inches). The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.14 pounds from trapnets. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.35 inches. Bluegill growth rates were slow for ages 1-5, but normal for ages 6-8. The 2013 and 2016 year classes comprised 38% and 29% respectively of the 2020 Bluegill catch.

Largemouth Bass numbers were abundant in 2020 summer survey gear (2.00 fish/gillnet). A spring electrofishing survey was not conducted in 2020 due to Covid. Largemouth Bass were abundant in a 2014 spring electrofishing survey (54.71 fish/hour) and was similar to the historical average of 57.27 fish/hour for Henderson Lake. The 2014 Largemouth Bass average size was small (0.78 pounds and 11.33 inches) from spring electrofishing.

Northern Pike numbers were abundant in 2020 (7.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 5.55 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Northern Pike average size was moderate (3.30 pounds and 23.99 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.19 pounds from gillnets. The largest Northern Pike captured was 37.99 inches. Northern Pike growth rates were slow for ages 1-5, but above fast for ages 4-5. The 2015 year class comprised 44% of the 2020 Northern Pike catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Henderson in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches or two larger than 26 inches.

Walleye numbers were abundant in 2020 (3.50 fish/gillnet) when compared to similar lakes and the historical average catch rate (1.74 fish/gillnet) for Henderson. The 2020 Walleye average size was moderate (1.11 pounds and 13.21 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight was 2.35 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were fair for ages 1-5. The 2019 and 2017 Walleye stocked year classes comprised 67% and 20% respectively of the 2020 Walleye catch. Walleye were recently stocked in 2013 (474 yearlings), 2014 (157 adults), 2015 (109 adults and 19 yearlings), 2016 (111 adults, 6 yearlings), 2018 (52 adults) and 2019 (59 adults, 1,783 fingerlings). Walleye natural reproduction has generally been infrequent and insignificant in Henderson Lake based on previous surveys.

Yellow Perch numbers were moderate in 2020 (12.50 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 15.40 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.10 pounds and 6.14 inches). The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.10 pounds. Adult perch were last stocked into Henderson during 2002 (556 fish, 270 pounds).

Other fish species captured included low numbers of White Sucker and Hybrid Sunfish. Black Bullhead and Common Carp were not captured in the 2020 survey nets.

Multiple private chemical treatments for Eurasian water milfoil had occurred on Henderson shortly before the 2020 summer survey was conducted. This may have negatively affected our nearshore trapnet catch of fish species. Copper based herbicides are a known fish irritant, which may have pushed fish from away the shallow nearshore treatment areas and trapnets stations and into deeper water, thus reducing our trapnet catch numbers especially of Bluegill and Black Crappie.

Current fish management activities on Henderson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Henderson Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2025 spring for Largemouth Bass and summer for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for Henderson Lake?

Are there any state parks near Henderson Lake?