Lake Linka

How big is Lake Linka?

How deep is Lake Linka?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Linka?

Are there boat launches on Lake Linka?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Linka?

Lake Linka is a 175 acre, moderately productive basin located in southern Pope County. Maximum depth of the lake is 50 feet. Average depth is estimated at 22 feet. Water clarity is very good. Transparency measurements average 14.0 feet throughout the summer with occasional decreases due to weather events. The lake supports a robust and diverse aquatic plant community which offers high-quality fish habitat for sunfishes, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. The public access is located on the east shore off Lake Linka Road. This access is shallow and launching larger boats during low water levels can be problematic.

A standard fisheries survey was completed in July of 2023 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Walleye catches remain low (1.3/gill net). Walleye captures tended to be large fish averaging 19.9 inches and 3.1 pounds. Regular Walleye fingerling stockings were discontinued by the MN DNR in 2017 due to extremely poor survival of stocked fingerlings. The current stocking regime prescribes surplus stockings of larger Walleye, when available, to maintain a limited fishery.

Northern Pike abundance remained at a desirable level (6.8/gill net). Average length was 26.5 inches. The largest pike capture measured 34.1 inches. Anglers are reminded that new pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018. Lake Linka is located in the North-Central Zone. Anglers can now keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Harvesting smaller pike will help shift the population back towards larger individuals and reduce the number of predators for young Walleye and other gamefish.

Largemouth Bass are abundant in Lake Linka. Electrofishing catch rates of Largemouth Bass were the second highest on record. Largemouth Bass growth is moderate and on average it takes four years for bass to reach 12.0 inches. Size structure of the electrofishing catch described a quality fishery. Fifty-Five percent of the bass were over 12.0 inches and the largest bass observed from all sampling types was 20.8 inches.

Bluegill catch rates (21.8 fish/trap net) were similar to the historic average for Lake Linka. Age distribution of Bluegill catches extended to age 6, but 70% of the captures were young (age 2 or 3). Consequently, average size was low (5.2 inches). Growth was rapid and did allow some individuals to exceed 8.0 inches. Black Crappies are present at low density and offer minimal fishing opportunity for this species. Adult Yellow Perch numbers were low during the 2023 survey. Yellow Perch are preferred prey of Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. Other fishes caught during the 2023 survey include Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, and multiple species of bullheads.

Lake Linka is not currently known to be infested with any aquatic invasive species, and lake users should take extra precautions to keep it that way. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to this or other lakes.

What is the average air temp for Lake Linka?

Are there any state parks near Lake Linka?