Sunfish Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in Sunfish Lake?

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

Sunfish Lake

Are there boat launches on Sunfish Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Sunfish Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Sunfish Lake?

Sunfish Lake is a 119-acre lake located near the town of Kilkenny in Le Sueur County. Sunfish Lake is unique in that much of its shoreline is unaltered; however, agriculture likely impacts its water quality as much of its watershed is row crops. A county-owned ramp located on the west side of the lake provides access for the public. The game fish community is dominated by centrarchids including Black Crappie, Bluegills, and Largemouth Bass. Stocking occurs only after winterkill events. A population assessment consisting of 4 gill nets and 8 trap nets was conducted on 19 June 2023 to monitor fish populations. An electrofishing survey was conducted on 23 May 2023 to assess Largemouth Bass populations. Sunfish Lake has been designated a Tier II lake within the Waterville area and future surveys will be conducted every 6 years.

Bluegill were the most abundant fish captured. Bluegill relative abundance was 152.8/trap net. Bluegill catch rates have ranged from 1.5/trap net in 2001 (following a winterkill) to 152.8/trap net since 1993. Bluegills ranged in length from 3.2 to 6.3 inches and averaged 4.6 inches. Bluegills were aged using scales. Six year-classes of Bluegills were present in Sunfish Lake (2017-2022). Sixty adult Bluegill were stocked in spring 2019 following a winterkill. Fish belonging to the 2019-2022 year-classes are a result of that stocking. Management goals were partially met as catch rates exceeded the goal of 30.0/trap net, but the goal of 25% of Bluegills sampled exceeding 8 inches total length was not met. However, the Bluegill population in Sunfish Lake is young and may grow to desirable size.

Black Crappie were affected by winterkill in 2018-2019 and Black Crappie relative abundance (1.5/trap net) was well below the lake average of 9.8/trap net. Black Crappie were aged using scales and otoliths. Age-3 and age-4 Black Crappies accounted for 12 of the 13 aged fish with a single age-8 Black Crappie present. The age-3 and age-4 Black Crappie were the result of stocking 97 adult Black Crappie in spring 2019 following the winterkill. Black Crappies ranged in length from 5.6 to 10.8 inches and averaged 8.6 inches. Management goals were not met, likely due to the proximity of the survey to winterkill.

Forty Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets in 2023(10.0/gill net). Northern Pike were sampled at rates greater than the 2017 survey (1.7/gill net) and the 2012 survey (0.7/gill net) and were likely the result of adult fish stocked in the spring of 2019 following winterkill. Ninety percent of Northern Pike sampled were greater than the legal minimum size of 24 inches and no Northern Pike less than 23 inches were sampled. It appears that natural reproduction does not occur in Sunfish Lake, and this population needs to be maintained with stocking. Management goals were met.

Only one Yellow Perch was sampled in 2023 despite being restocked with 2,250 adult fish in spring 2019 following winterkill. Yellow Perch numbers have been zero, or near zero, in 4 of the last 6 surveys.
Largemouth Bass were abundant during electrofishing in 2017 but only 2 were sampled in 2023. Largemouth Bass sampled were 14.8 inches and 15.4 inches long. Twenty-five adult Largemouth Bass were stocked during spring 2021. Any Largemouth Bass produced as a result of the 2021 stocking may be too young to appear in sampling. Repeated electrofishing may be necessary at Sunfish Lake and additional stocking of adult Largemouth Bass may be required.

Black Bullhead were captured in very low numbers in 2012 and 2017 but rebounded in 2023 with 86.5/gill net. Common Carp numbers (1.0/gill net and 0.1/trap net) continued to be low. Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, and Walleye were also present, but occurred in low numbers.

Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Sunfish Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.

Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils.

Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

-Brandon Eder, assistant area supervisor

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