Lake Stella

How big is Lake Stella?

How deep is Lake Stella?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Stella?

What are the closest cities to Lake Stella?

Are there boat launches on Lake Stella?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Stella?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Stella?

Stella is a medium-size lake (599 acres) located south of the City of Darwin in Meeker County. A moderate sized state-owned access with paved parking and a double cement boat ramp is present on the south shore. Smaller boats may also enter Stella (from Washington Lake) via a cement box culvert at the east end of the lake. Stella has over four miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of seventy-five feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Stella is a class 24 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Erie Lake in Meeker County and Stahls Lake in McLeod County. Stella's 2021 lake management plan listed Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass as primary management species, while Black Crappie and Northern Pike were secondary species.

Moderate numbers of Walleye were netted in 2023 (7.0/gill net), and fish averaged 18 inches in length. The maximum length of Walleye sampled was just over 27 inches. An impressive 82% of the catch was 17 inches or longer. Ageing data from the 2023 survey indicated that natural reproduction of Walleye was substantial at Stella Lake. The oldest Walleye was age-16.

Low numbers of Smallmouth Bass were netted, with fish averaging 15 inches in length. The longest Smallmouth Bass captured was 19.3 inches. Low numbers of Largemouth Bass were netted, but that species typically does not sample well in gill nets. Largemouth Bass averaged 14 inches in length, with the longest fish being 16 inches.

Record high numbers of Black Crappie were gill netted in 2023, but many were small. The average size was 6.2 inches in length. However, Black Crappie up to 14.8 inches were found to be present at Stella Lake. Approximately 22% of the catch was 9 inches or longer. Moderate numbers of Bluegill were gill netted in 2023. However, sunfish populations typically do not sample well in this gear. Most of the Bluegill were small, averaging 4.6 inches in length. The longest Bluegill sampled was 7.2 inches in length.

Record high numbers of Northern Pike were gill netted this year at Stella Lake, with fish averaging 23 inches in length. The longest pike sampled was 33.5 inches. Approximately 21% of pike netted were 26 inches or longer. Northern Pike regulations were revised at a statewide level beginning in 2018 to better accommodate regional differences in pike habitats, population abundances and size structures. Three management zones were established for Northern Pike, with their own bag limit and length limit restrictions. In the north-central zone, where Stella Lake is found, anglers can keep ten Northern Pike. Only two can be longer than 26 inches and all pike from 22 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. This zone regulation is meant to decrease numbers of small Northern Pike and increase the abundance of medium and large sized fish.

Additional fish varieties sampled in the 2023 gill nets included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. Stella Lake has two AIS - Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local MNDNR office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

What is the average air temp for Lake Stella?