Willmar Lake

How big is Willmar Lake?

How deep is Willmar Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Willmar Lake?

What are the closest cities to Willmar Lake?

Are there boat launches on Willmar Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Willmar Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Willmar Lake?

A standard survey was conducted on Willmar Lake during late 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).

Willmar is a moderate sized (636 acres), aerated, shallow (14 feet maximum) and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Willmar is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Willmar Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. A large city park "Robbin's Island" is located along the south side of the lake. There are 45 homes, 1 commercial building and a golf course located around the lake (2020). Willmar Lake has one public boat access on the south shore. Willmar Lake is also connected to Foot Lake via a downstream navigable outlet channel. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake probably occurs frequently. There are several shallow lakes upstream of Willmar Lake connected via ditches and inlets to Willmar Lake. There are 15 inlets/tiles that enter Willmar Lake. Nutrient inputs into Willmar Lake are from varied sources such as road runoff via Highway 23/71, storm sewer runoff from the city of Willmar, golf course runoff via inlets, residential lawn runoff, fecal droppings from local Canada goose populations, and agricultural runoff primarily along the northwest shore. Nutrient levels (total phosphorus=0.065 ppm, chlorophyll a=30.1 ppb) were moderate to high on June 9, 2009. Water clarity was poor (secchi=1.0 feet) on July 27, 2020. Dissolved oxygen was 6.0 ppm or higher throughout the water column during the summer survey. Shoalwater substrates are varied with mostly sand, silt, muck, and rubble. Willmar has generally sparse submergent vegetation (sago pondweed, coontail, curly-leaf pondweed, water moss) throughout the lake. However, curly-leaf pondweed was abundant during the late spring thru early summer of 2020. Emergent vegetation (cattails) is common near the Willmar Lake outlet channel area. Blue-green algae blooms are common occurrences during the late summer months of most years. Water levels were low during 2020. Willmar Lake has been a popular fishing lake for Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Channel Catfish and largemouth bass in recent years. The DNR Spicer Area Fisheries Office manages Willmar for Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and Yellow Perch.

Black Crappie numbers were abundant in 2020 (28.00 fish/trapnet, 57.00 fish/gillnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rates are 11.63 fish/trapnet and 16.19 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.47 pounds and 9.22 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.30 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of preferred size (10.00 plus inches) Black Crappie was high (11.50 fish/trapnet) in 2020. Black Crappie growth rates for Willmar Lake were good for ages 1-8. The 2018 and 2016 year classes comprised 35% and 33% respectively of the 2020 Black Crappie catch.

Bluegill numbers were high (11.00 fish/trapnet) in 2020 compared to the historical average (6.73 fish/trapnet). The 2020 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.16 pounds and 5.73 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (6.00 plus inches) Bluegill was moderate (4.33 fish/trapnet) in 2020.

Channel Catfish were not captured in the 2020 summer survey. Numbers were low in the 2014 survey (0.33 fish/trapnet, 4.70 pounds average weight). The historical average catch rates are 0.42 fish/gillnet and 0.27 fish/trapnet. Channel Catfish were last stocked in 2013 (4,225 fingerlings, 65 pounds).

Northern Pike numbers were moderate in 2020 (4.00 fish/gillnet) and similar to the historical average (4.25 fish/gillnet). The 2020 Northern Pike average size was moderate (4.00 pounds and 26.57 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.86 pounds from gillnets. The largest Northern Pike captured was 38.39 inches. Northern Pike growth rates for Willmar were slow for ages 1-8. The 2011 year class comprised 27% of the 2020 Northern Pike catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Willmar 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 moderate in 2020 (12.00 fish/gillnet), but below the historical average (16.67 fish/gillnet). Walleye were less abundant in connected Foot Lake 2020 gillnets (8.00 fish/gillnet, 1.90 pounds average weight). The 2020 Walleye average size was moderate (2.02 pounds and 17.08 inches) from gillnets in Willmar. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.35 pounds from gillnets. The catch rate of quality size (15.00 plus inches) Walleye was high (10.00 fish/gillnet) in 2020. Walleye growth rates for Willmar were fair for ages 1-8. The 2014 Walleye year class comprised 56% of the 2020 Walleye catch.

Walleye natural reproduction in Willmar is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Walleye fry have been generally stocked (250,000-670,000 fish per lake) during even years since 1982 in both Willmar and Foot. Recent Walleye stockings include 2019 (300,000 fry; 7,963 fingerlings, 668 pounds), 2018 (357,952 fry), 2017 (402,090 fry), 2016 (433,629 fry), 2014 (326,305 fry) and 2012 (368,602 fry). Young of year "YOY" Walleye (fry stockings) were last abundant in the 2014 fall electrofishing surveys for Willmar (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches) and connected Foot (216.00 YOY/hour, 5.59 inches). YOY Walleye abundance was low (15.00 YOY/hour or less) in 2016-2019 fall electrofishing surveys for both Foot and Willmar.

Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2020 (1.00 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 2.65 fish/gillnet for Willmar. The 2020 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.22 pounds and 7.87 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight and length is 0.17 pounds from gillnets.

Bigmouth Buffalo numbers were low in 2020 (0.67 fish/trapnet). The 2020 average weight was moderate (6.48 pounds) from trapnets.

Black Bullhead numbers were low in 2020 (17.00 fish/gillnet compared to the historical average (117.27 fish/gillnet). Black Bullhead numbers were low in the 2020 trapnets (5.17 fish/trapnet, 0.88 pounds average weight). The 2020 Black Bullhead average size was large (0.76 pounds and 10.95 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.43 pounds from gillnets.

Common Carp numbers were low in 2020 (2.00 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (3.00 fish/trapnet) for Willmar. The 2020 Common Carp average size was large (8.92 pounds and 26.89 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 5.79 pounds from trapnets.

Freshwater Drum numbers were high in 2020 (29.00 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rate is 15.96 fish/gillnet for Willmar. The 2020 Freshwater Drum average size (1.05 pounds and 13.38 inches) was moderate from gillnets.

Current fish management activities on Willmar include protecting the important aquatic habitats such as emergent and submergent vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species in Willmar Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2025.

What is the average air temp for Willmar Lake?

Are there any state parks near Willmar Lake?