Elkhorn Lake

How big is Elkhorn Lake?

How deep is Elkhorn Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Elkhorn Lake?

What are the closest cities to Elkhorn Lake?

Are there boat launches on Elkhorn Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Elkhorn Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Elkhorn Lake?

A standard survey of Elkhorn Lake was conducted in late-June of 2023. Survey methodology and gears used to sample the Elkhorn fish population included six standard trapnets, two large frame trapnets and June night boat electrofishing. Gillnets are an optional survey gear for lakes under 100 acres. Gillnets were not set in Elkhorn during the 2023 survey. Two large frame trapnets (5 X 6 feet) were set in place of gillnets during 2023. 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).

Elkhorn is a small lake (87 acres) with low productivity located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 41 feet. Invasive species recently found in Elkhorn include Eurasian Watermilfoil (2017) and Zebra Mussel (2018.). Water quality and clarity are excellent for Elkhorn. Water clarity was 24.0 feet deep on June 26, 2023. Dissolved oxygen was less than 5.00 ppm below 25 feet on June 26, 2023. Total phosphorus (0.023 ppm) was low in Elkhorn during late June of 2023. Water levels were below normal during the 2023 survey. Residential development (41 homes, 2013 survey) has occurred around the entire lake except for the northwest shore area. A new second tier housing development has occurred along the south portion of the lake during the last fifteen years. Hardwoods are present in moderate numbers along the east and north shoreline areas. There are six small inlets/springs that periodically flow into Elkhorn. The largest inlet connects to a small wetland and flows into the lake along the east shore. The second largest inlet drains State Highway #23 road runoff into Elkhorn. Direct agricultural row crop drainage into the lake is limited by upstream buffers and wetlands. Emergent vegetation (i.e. hardstem bulrush) is limited to the shallow outlet bay. Submergent vegetation species (i.e. clasping-leaf pondweed, northern milfoil, sago pondweed, coontail, muskgrass, filamentous algae, etc.) are frequently occurring in the littoral area (less than 15 feet deep) and especially in the shallow outlet bay area. Shoalwater substrates are mostly sand, silt, rubble and boulder. Elkhorn is known for good Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Northern Pike fishing. Walleye are occasionally caught mostly during early winter ice fishing.

Largemouth Bass numbers (post spawn) were moderate (56.92 fish/hour) in 2023 mid-June night electrofishing survey. Largemouth Bass numbers (post spawn) were abundant (276.92 fish/hour, 7.31 inches average length) in the previous 2018 late-June night electrofishing survey. The 2023 Largemouth Bass average size was small (0.54 pounds and 9.71 inches) from spring electrofishing. The 2023 catch rate of quality size (12.00 inches plus) Largemouth Bass was low (3.08 fish/hour). Post spawn electrofishing surveys generally catch greater numbers of smaller or younger Largemouth bass than previous electrofishing surveys conducting during the spawning season. Largemouth Bass also tend to be found near docks, downed trees in the water or within submergent vegetation adjacent to deep water during post spawn conditions versus shallow spawning bay areas often containing bulrush. Largemouth Bass growth rates are historically slow in Elkhorn compared to other Spicer area lakes.

Black Crappie abundance was low (0.67 fish/trapnet) from standard trapnets in 2023. The Black Crappie trapnet historical average catch rate is 1.67 fish/trapnet. The Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.41 pounds and 8.81 inches) from standard trapnets. The Black Crappie catch rate was 4.00 fish/net with an average size of 8.06 inches from large frame trapnets. Black Crappie adults (480 fish, 120 pounds) were last stocked into Elkhorn during 2010.

Northern Pike abundance was low from large frame trapnets (0.50 fish/net) in 2023. The 2023 Northern Pike average size was small (1.45 pounds and 18.76 inches) from large frame trapnets. Northern Pike abundance in 2018 gillnets (3.00 fish/gillnet) was below the historical average catch rate of 5.77 fish/gillnet. The 2018 Northern Pike average weight and length were 2.55 pounds and 21.95 inches respectively from gillnets. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Elkhorn 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 were absent in 2023 and 2018 surveys. The Yellow Perch historical average catch rates are 17.55 fish/gillnet and 0.67 fish/trapnet.

Walleye abundance was low in the 2023 standard trapnets (0.33 fish/trapnet), but moderate in the large frame trapnets (10.00 fish/net). The Walleye average size was small (0.77 pounds and 12.90 inches) from large frame trapnets. Walleye sizes ranged from 10-17 inches from the large frame trapnets. These fish were probably from previous yearling/adult stockings. The Walleye historical catch rates are 0.39 fish/trapnet and 0.98 fish/gillnet. Walleye stockings include 2010 (91 yearlings, 100 pounds), 2013 (400 yearlings, 206 pounds), 2014 (158 adults, 155 pounds; 247 fingerlings, 28 pounds), 2015 (97 adults, 121 pounds), 2016 (167 adults, 258 pounds; 111 fingerlings, 3 pounds), 2017 (196 adults, 392 pounds), 2018 (7 adults, 21 pounds; 813 yearlings, 101 pounds; 30 fingerlings, 2 pounds), 2020 (15 adults, 30 pounds; 115 yearlings, 76.5 pounds), 2021 (72 adults, 114 pounds), 2022 (210 yearlings, 84 pounds) and 2023 (10 adults, 16 pounds; 96 yearlings, 58 pounds). Walleye are stocked in Elkhorn as a put and take type fishery. Walleye are occasionally caught during early winter ice fishing.

Bluegill abundance was low (16.33 fish/trapnet) in 2023 standard trapnets. The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 74.99 fish/trapnet. Bluegill were moderately abundant (33.50 fish/net) in the 2023 large frame trapnets. The 2023 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.19 pounds and 5.86 inches) from standard trapnets. The Bluegill average size was large (0.32 pounds and 7.14 inches) from the 2023 large frame trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.12 pounds from standard trapnets. The 2023 Bluegill standard catch rate of preferred size (8.00 inches plus) was low (2.17 fish/trapnet) from standard trapnets. Bluegill growth rates were slow for ages 1-3, moderate for ages 4-5 and good for ages 6-8. The 2019 year class comprised 34% of the 2023 Bluegill standard trapnet catch.

Other sunfish species captured included low numbers of Hybrid Sunfish (3.33 fish/trapnet), Pumpkinseed Sunfish (2.33 fish/trapnet) and Green Sunfish (0.17 fish/trapnet) in 2023 standard trapnets. The 2023 average lengths were 6.00 inches, 5.48 inches and 2.56 inches for Hybrid, Pumpkinseed and Green Sunfish respectively.

Black Bullhead abundance was low (0.17 fish/trapnet) in 2023 standard trapnets. The 2023 Black Bullhead average size was large (1.28 pounds and 13.07 inches) from standard trapnets. Low numbers of Black Bullhead were caught in the large frame trapnets (3.00 fish/net, 0.81 pounds average weight).

Other fish species of special interest captured in the 2023 standard trapnets included low numbers of Common Carp (0.50 fish/trapnet) and Yellow Bullhead (1.33 fish/trapnet). The Elkhorn historical average catch rates were 0.57 Common Carp/trapnet and 1.42 Yellow Bullhead/trapnet. The 2023 average weights were 7.34 pounds and 0.74 pounds for Common Carp and Yellow Bullhead respectively.

Current fish management activities on Elkhorn Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, habitat enhancement through bulrush planting, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Elkhorn Lake fishery is scheduled for resurvey in the 2028 spring and summer for all fish species.

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Are there any state parks near Elkhorn Lake?