Games Lake

How big is Games Lake?

How deep is Games Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Games Lake?

What are the closest cities to Games Lake?

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

Games Lake

Are there boat launches on Games Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Games Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Games Lake?

A standard survey of Games Lake was conducted in July of 2019. 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). Targeted surveys conducted in 2019 included Score The Shore and Fall Electrofishing for young of year "YOY" Walleye.

Games Lake is a moderately sized (521 acres), moderately deep (42 feet maximum), and low to moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Games Lake is a popular recreational lake. A high use county park/campground is located along the southeast shoreline. Residential development has occurred throughout the entire shoreline area with the exception of small portions of the south side, north side, and northwest bay. Two public access sites are present with one along the east side (DNR access) and another on the southeast side (county access). A 30 acre Aquatic Management Area "AMA" (acquired in 2003) is located along the north shore. A channel is present that connects Games Lake to Norway Lake and is conducive to boat navigation. Games Lake is also connected to several periodic winterkill (Swan, Henchien) and non-winterkill lakes (Andrew) via the outlet which eventually becomes Shakopee Creek. A low head dam is present at the outlet. Water levels were above normal during 2019. Water clarity (secchi=15.8 feet) was excellent during the 2019 survey. Dissolved oxygen levels were above 2.0 ppm to depths of 15 feet. Emergent vegetation densities (bulrush, cattails, burreed, and arrowhead) are low to moderate in Games Lake occurring mostly in the northwest and east shore areas. Eurasian watermilfoil "EWM" was found along the west side of Games during 2014. EWM has been present in upstream Norway Lake since 2001. Submergent vegetation species (bladderwort, bushy pondweed, clasping-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flat-stem pondweed, muskgrass, coontail, water celery, sago pondweed, northern milfoil, etc.) are moderately abundant within the shallow areas (<15 feet deep). Shoalwater substrates consisted mostly of sand, gravel, rubble and silt. Zebra Mussels were first documented in Norway, Games and Andrew during 2018. High fishing pressure and potential over exploitation of gamefish is a concern of anglers on Games Lake due in part to the popular public campground located on the south shore.

Games Lake lies within the larger Chippewa River Watershed District and sub watershed of Upper Shakopee Creek. The Chippewa River Watershed District was the lead agency for coordinating: nutrient reduction measures, protection from invasive species, information/education, storm water management and the Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project prior to 2019. The local Soil Water Conservation District is currently the lead agency.

A comprehensive set of in-lake and watershed projects since the mid-1990's have been conducted/proposed as part of the Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project (e.g., lakeshore re-vegetation demonstration sites, buffer strips and grassed waterways, wetland restorations, septic system upgrades, livestock exclusion projects and other various agricultural and shoreland best management practice implementations) to reduce nutrient, bacteria and sediment inputs. The Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project was composed of individuals representing several lake associations (Florida, Norway & Games and Andrew), private landowners and various government agency personnel in order more efficiently enact beneficial watershed projects. Thus far, DNR Fisheries has provided assistance with lakeshore re-vegetation and water quality monitoring projects.

Black Crappie numbers were low in 2019 (1.50 fish/trapnet and 1.33 fish/gillnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rates were 4.80 fish/trapnet and 3.56 fish/gillnet for Games Lake. Black Crappie average size was small (0.17 pounds) from the trapnets. Winter angling for Black Crappie was popular in Games during the 1990's and early 2000's. In recent years, Black Crappie angling success has been generally poor.

Northern Pike numbers were low in 2019 (2.33 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (5.99 fish/gillnet) for Games Lake. However, the 2019 Northern Pike average size was moderate (3.58 pounds and 25.44 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.64 pounds from gillnets. Northern Pike grow rates were slow in Games. The 2012 year class comprised 56% of the 2019 Northern Pike survey catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Games 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.

Yellow Perch numbers were moderate in 2019 (15.67 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 22.07 fish/gillnet for Games Lake. The 2019 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.11 pounds and 6.24 inches) from gillnets.

Walleye numbers were abundant in 2019 (4.00 fish/gillnet) for Games Lake. The Walleye historical average catch rate is 2.29 fish/gillnet for Games Lake. The 2019 Walleye average size was moderate (1.61 pounds and 15.52 inches) from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were moderate in Games. The 2017 year class comprised 29% of the 2019 Walleye summer survey catch. YOY Walleye numbers were moderately abundant during fry stocked years of 2017 (57.00 YOY/hour, 6.05 inches) and 2019 (40.00 YOY/hour, 5.75 inches) fall electrofishing surveys. The Walleye population in Games Lake is due primarily to stocking or limited migration into Games from Norway. Games Lake was recently stocked with Walleye in 2009 (3,656 fingerlings, 488 pounds), 2011 (15,563 fingerlings, 532 pounds; 721 yearlings, 103 pounds), 2013 (14,297 fingerling, 493 pounds), 2015 (3,498 fingerlings, yearlings and adults combined, 795 pounds), 2017 (255,002 fry) and 2019 (242,957 fry).

Bluegill numbers were moderate in 2019 (26.20 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 36.28 fish/trapnet for Games Lake. The 2019 Bluegill average size was small (0.12 pounds and 5.10 inches) from trapnets. There was only one Bluegill over 8.00 inches captured in the 2019 survey nets. Bluegill growth rates were moderate in Games. The 2016 year class comprised 36% of the 2019 Bluegill survey catch.

Largemouth Bass spring electrofishing was not conducted in Games during 2019. Largemouth Bass abundance was low (9.50 fish/hour) in the previous 2015 spring electrofishing survey. The 2015 Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (1.05 pounds and 12.10 inches) from spring electrofishing. Largemouth Bass growth rates were generally below the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-8.

Freshwater Drum numbers were abundant in 2019 (8.33 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rate is 7.56 fish/gillnet for Games Lake. The 2019 Freshwater Drum average size was moderate (1.38 pounds and 14.67 inches) from gillnets.

Other fish species captured during 2019 included low numbers of Black Bullhead (0.10 fish/trapnet), Bowfin (0.40 fish/trapnet), Common Carp (0.50 fish/trapnet), Pumpkinseed Sunfish (0.40 fish/trapnet) and Yellow Bullhead (0.50 fish/trapnet). Bigmouth Buffalo and Shortnose Gar were caught in low numbers in past surveys, but were not captured in 2019.

Current fish management activities on Games Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, 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, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Games Lake fishery will be surveyed in the 2024 spring for Largemouth Bass and 2022 summer for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for Games Lake?

Are there any state parks near Games Lake?