Lake Wakanda

How big is Lake Wakanda?

How deep is Lake Wakanda?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Wakanda?

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Are there boat launches on Lake Wakanda?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Wakanda?

A targeted survey of Lake Wakanda was conducted during mid-July of 2022. The targeted survey was conducted with 1 gillnet and 4 trapnets to determine fish assemblage and abundance after opening the lake to unlimited fishing, a drawdown/drought and previous low (< 1 ppm) winter oxygen levels. A fall night electrofishing survey was conducted for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye on Wakanda during September 27, 2022. 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). A standard survey was last conducted during July of 2021.

Wakanda is a large (1,754 acres), shallow (15 feet maximum depth), turbid, aerated and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Residential development is limited to the south shore. Wakanda connects to several shallow winterkill prone lakes (Little Kandiyohi, Kasota and Minnetaga) and eventually outlets into several large ditch systems eventually flowing into Big Kandiyohi and Lake Lillian. Submergent vegetation densities are variable in Wakanda. Sago pondweed is usually the most frequently occurring submergent species. Submergent vegetation was abundant especially in the shallow bay areas due in part to extremely low water conditions during 2021. Abundant submergent vegetation species included coontail, sago pondweed, narrow-leaf pondweed, curly-leaf pondweed and water moss in 2021. Abundant densities of submergent vegetation were observed in the bay areas but lacking in the main basin during 2022. Filamentous algae is usually abundant in Wakanda. Blue-green algae blooms are often intense and common during mid to late summer months but were less intense during 2021 and 2022. Wakanda receives high flows of agricultural and storm sewer runoff via tiles and ditches. Water clarity is often good from ice out to mid-June, but poor during the remainder of the summer. The secchi disc reading was 2.5 feet on July 6, 2022. Water clarity was good in the bay areas, but poor (gray stained) in the mid basin area. Water levels were below normal during 2020 and 2021. A drawn down was also initiated during 2020-2021 to facilitate a winterkill of less desirable fish species (Common Carp, Black Bullheads) in accordance with management plan objectives formalized by the DNR Wildlife & Fisheries, Ducks Unlimited and local conservation and governmental groups. The Wakanda maximum depth was only 11 feet in 2021 summer compared to the historical depth of 15 feet. Water levels rebounded in 2022 to allow use of the public accesses but was still low compared to normal levels. Boat access was severely limited due to low/shallow water in 2021. Dissolved oxygen levels were supersaturated (14-19 ppm) from the surface down to 8 feet of water during the July 2021 survey, but in the normal range (5-7 ppm) during the July 2022 survey. Total phosphorus levels (0.177 ppm) were high on June 13, 2016. A large upstream wetland restoration (Grass Lake Project) is currently underway to potentially reduce or buffer storm water runoff from the city of Willmar and improve incoming water quality flowing into Wakanda and Big Kandiyohi. Wakanda was opened to unlimited fishing during the 2021-22 winter because of the continued drawdown and non-operation of the aeration system. Some local anglers who participated in unlimited fishing season on Wakanda claimed the caught Walleye tasted poorly.

Partial winterkills of fish occurred during the mid to late 1990's due to high snowfall events or operational problems with the aeration system. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. A significant winterkill of gamefish and Common Carp occurred during January/February of 2013. The helixor aeration system was unable to provide adequate oxygen levels due in part to high snowfall accumulations. The helixor aeration system was not operated during the 2013-14 winter in part to facilitate a winterkill of undesirable fish (Common Carp) and also because the 2013 Walleye fry stocking was a failure. Dissolved oxygen levels were measured from 1 to 1.9 ppm during early February of 2014. Common Carp and Black Bullhead were present in 2014 ice out trapnets in Wakanda. It appears that even with a severe and prolonged winter with low oxygen conditions that a complete winterkill of undesirable fish species (Common Carp, Black Bullhead) did not occur in 2014. The helixor aeration was moved into shallower water with more rock substrates and away from silt and muck substrates in the fall of 2014. The 2014-15 winter had mild temperatures and little snow accumulation resulting in good oxygen levels in many susceptible winterkill lakes. The Wakanda helixor aeration system appeared to maintain good dissolved oxygen levels at 5.0 ppm throughout the 2014-15 and 2015-16 winters, however nearby shallow lakes without aeration had higher oxygen levels (>7 ppm). Local anglers reported good fishing success for Walleye and large Northern Pike during the 2016 summer. A partial winterkill occurred during February of 2019, mostly Common Carp, Bigmouth Buffalo and White Sucker in addition to some gamefish. We did catch low numbers of gamefish (Walleye, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie and Northern Pike) in 2019 ice out trapnets. The aeration system was not operated during 2020-21 and 2021-22 winters. There were no reports or evidence of winterkill for the 2020-2021 winter. Oxygen level were extremely low (0.3-0.9 ppm) during late February of 2021. Dissolved oxygen levels were variable during the 2021-22 winter due in part to low water levels, colder temperatures, variability in snow cover, and overabundance of submergent vegetation in some basins (i.e., Elizabeth). In 2021-22 winter, high snowfall cover coupled with low water and decaying of high submergent vegetation densities in some area lakes resulted in rapid declines of winter oxygen levels. Oxygen levels ranged from 6.8 ppm in early January of 2022 to 1.5 ppm at the end of February 2022 for Wakanda. There were no reports of winterkill for the 2021-22 winter. The aeration system was operated in the 2022-23 winter (extreme snowfall conditions). Winter dissolved oxygen readings near the aeration system was around 5 ppm on February 7, 2023 which was better than other nearby lakes like Elizabeth and Ella (1-2 ppm). Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. There were no reports of winterkill in Wakanda in 2023.

Yellow Perch abundance was high (75.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022, but comparable to 2021 (65.67 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 29.62 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Yellow Perch average weight and length were 0.19 pounds and 7.2 inches from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.27 pounds from gillnets. The Yellow Perch catch rate of quality size (8.0 inches plus) was high (25.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The Yellow Perch catch rate of preferred size (10.0 inches plus) was low (2.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 11.14 inches in the 2022 survey. Abundant numbers of YOY Yellow Perch were noted in August of 2022 seine hauls.

Northern Pike abundance was low (1.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The 2021 Northern Pike survey abundance was 6.00 fish/gillnet. The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 6.75 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Northern Pike average weight and length were 4.26 pounds and 27.2 inches from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.94 pounds from gillnets. Northern Pike growth rates were excellent for ages 1-3. The 2019 year class comprised 100% of the 2022 Northern Pike survey catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Wakanda 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.

Bluegill abundance was low (1.25 fish/trapnet) in 2022. Bluegill were absent in 2021 survey nets. The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 1.12 fish/trapnet. The 2022 Bluegill average weight and length were 0.09 pounds and 4.7 inches respectively from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.10 pounds from trapnets.

Black Crappie were absent in 2022 survey nets. Black Crappie abundance was moderate in 2021 (3.14 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 0.82 fish/trapnet. The 2021 Black Crappie average weight and length were 0.10 pounds and 5.8 inches from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.36 pounds and 0.12 pounds from trapnets and gillnets respectively.

Walleye abundance was moderate (8.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The Walleye abundance was higher (44.33 fish/gillnet) in 2021. The Walleye historical average catch rate is 21.93 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.01 pounds and 17.8 inches from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.44 pounds from gillnets. The Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.0 inches plus) was moderate (7.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The Walleye catch rate of preferred size (20.0 inches plus) was 0.00 fish/gillnet in 2022. Walleye growth rates excellent for ages 1-4, but slow for ages 5-6. The 2019 and 2016 year classes (fry stocked) comprised 78% and 11% respectively of the 2022 Walleye gillnet and trapnet catch. The largest Walleye captured was 18.7 inches in the 2022 survey.

Walleye natural reproduction is probably insignificant during most years, although adequate windswept shoal water substrates for good spawning habitat are present in Wakanda. Walleye fry (493,587 Spicer Strain fish) were recently stocked in 2022. Spicer strain Walleye fry (404,928 fish) were stocked in 2019. Pike River strain Walleye fry (1.2 million Pike River strain) were stocked in 2018. Approximately 1.6 million walleye fry were stocked in 2016 (Pike River strain), 2014 (Private and Spicer strains) and 2013 (Pike River strain).

YOY Walleye numbers were abundant (118.00 YOY/hour, 7.4 inches) in 2022 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (276.00 YOY/hour, 7.3 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye numbers were also abundant in 2018 (285.00 YOY/hour, 6.2 inches), 2016 (90.00 YOY/hour, 6.8 inches) and 2014 (464.00 YOY/hour, 7.9 inches) fall electrofishing surveys. No YOY walleye were captured in the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. Moderate numbers of YOY walleye (48.00 YOY/hour, 5.9 inches) were captured in the (fry stocked year) 2011 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of YOY walleye (234.00 YOY/hour, 5.8 inches) were also observed in the (fry stocked year) 2009 fall electrofishing survey. However, most of the 2011 and 2009 year class walleyes died during the January/February 2013 winterkill.

Channel Catfish were absent in the 2021 survey nets. Only one Channel Catfish (0.25 fish/trapnet, 6.0 inches) was captured in the 2022 survey. Channel Catfish abundance was moderate (1.50 fish/gillnet) in 2016. The 2016 Channel Catfish average size was large from gillnets (8.22 pounds, 27.7 inches). Channel Catfish were first documented in Wakanda during a 2006 survey. Channel Catfish have been stocked (Big Kandiyohi) or moved (Lillian) into other lakes within the South Fork of Crow River Watershed. Channel Catfish may have moved into the Wakanda from the outlet via the connected tiles and ditches or were illegally stocked.

Bigmouth Buffalo abundance in 2022 (2.00 fish/gillnet) was above the historical average (0.52 fish/gillnet). The 2021 Bigmouth Buffalo gillnet catch rate was 2.67 fish/gillnet. Bigmouth Buffalo trapnet catch rate was 0.50 fish/trapnet in 2022. The 2022 Bigmouth Buffalo average size was 1.79 pounds and 7.66 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets.

Black Bullhead abundance was high (141.00 fish/gillnet, 81.25 fish/trapnet) in 2022. The Black Bullhead historical average catch rates are 87.72 fish/gillnet and 177.90 fish/trapnet. Black Bullhead abundance was high in 2021 (74.00 fish/gillnet). The 2022 Black Bullhead average weight and length were 0.21 pounds and 7.0 inches from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.27 pounds from gillnets. The largest Black Bullhead captured was 12.0 inches in the 2022 survey nets.

Common Carp abundance was high (9.25 fish/trapnet) in 2022. Common Carp abundance was 6.00 fish/trapnet in 2021. The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 17.17 fish/trapnet. Common Carp abundance was 11.00 fish/gillnet (0.21 pounds average) in 2022 gillnets. The 2022 Common Carp average weight and length were 4.73 pounds and 20.2 inches from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 3.71 pounds from trapnets. The largest Common Carp captured was 32.1 inches in the 2022 survey nets.

White Sucker abundance was high (14.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The 2022 average weight and length were 1.14 pounds and 13.6 inches respectively.

Current fish management activities on Wakanda include monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting Kandiyohi County in operating the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species will be sampled in 2026. Fall electrofishing surveys may be conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

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Are there any state parks near Lake Wakanda?