Wilkins

Wilkins Lake is moderately sized (372 acres) with clear water and is located in central Aitkin County. There is a township-owned public access with a concrete log ramp without a dock, located on the east side of the lake. The surrounding area is a mixture of forest-covered rolling hills with various wetland types interspersed. Sand is the most common substrate in shallow water areas with a few pockets of gravel and rubble scattered around the lake. The aquatic plant community is fairly diverse and provides good habitat for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. Additional benefits provided by a healthy plant community include stabilizing bottom substrates, reducing wave action and resulting erosion, and filtering nutrients and potential contaminants. A standard survey (10 trap nets and 9 gill nets) was conducted on Wilkins Lake during the week of 7/29/2024 to assess the fishery. During the 2024 survey the water was clear-green in color, with moderate clarity measured at 7 feet. Dissolved oxygen was near zero parts per million (ppm) below 18 feet during the survey period. Wilkins is managed primarily for Walleye and Black Crappie, with Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike as secondary species. Walleye gill net catch rates in 2024 (2.2 per net) were in the typical range compared to similar lakes and have been stable over the last 20 years. Historically, Walleye growth rates are good, and a large portion of the population consists of quality-sized fish. The average size of Walleye in the 2024 survey was 16.4 inches with fish up to 23.2 inches present. Walleye spawning habitat is limited on Wilkins Lake and recruitment from natural reproduction has historically been poor. Therefore, Walleye fingerlings are stocked on an annual basis to maintain a stable population. Black Crappie abundance in Wilkins Lake is within the normal range compared to similar lakes. Survey net catches have shown fairly stable results going back to the mid 1980's. Prior to that, abundance was a bit higher. In 2024, the gill net catch (1.3 per net) met the management goal of "1 fish per gill net with fish over 10 inches present". In the 2024 gillnet catch, Black Crappie ranged from 5.8 to 11.3 inches and averaged 9.3 inches, while the trap net catch captured fish ranging from 4.9 to 9.9 inches with an average length of 7.5 inches. Occasionally Black Crappie will produce a strong year class that provides good angling opportunity. When present, Crappie grow well in Wilkins and some good-sized fish can be found. Age analysis revealed 5 year classes present in the survey ranging from 2 to 6 years of age. The current survey showed faster than average growth, with fish averaging 9 inches in 4 years. The 2024 Bluegill catch rate (11.6 per trap net) was down from the previous survey conducted in 2019 (16.0 per trap net), but still within the expected range for similar lakes. Size structure of the Bluegill population was good with an average length of 6.5 inches and fish up to 9.1 inches present. Additionally, 15 percent of the Bluegill in the 2024 trap net catch were longer than 8.0 inches, compared to 5 percent in the 2019 survey. Largemouth Bass are often hard to sample with standard gear and so were sampled with daytime boat electrofishing on 5/20/2024. Electrofishing yielded a catch rate of 57.0 Largemouth Bass per hour. Sizes ranged from 4.0 to 19.0 inches and averaged 11.4 inches. Gill net catches for Largemouth Bass have been stable over time and above the typical range for similar lakes. Age analysis from gill net caught Bass revealed fish ranging from 2 to 7 years old. Northern Pike are currently managed under the statewide North Central zone regulations for inland waters (10 fish limit, 22-26 inch protected slot, with no more than 2 over 26 inches allowed in possession). This regulation will allow greater harvest opportunities for anglers and spearers, while still protecting a large portion of medium-sized pike. Northern Pike abundance has been stable over the last five surveys and lower than what was observed in the 1990's. The 2024 gill net catch rate (3.9 per net) was just below the long-term average (5.4 per net) for Wilkins Lake and on the lower end of what would be considered normal for this type of lake. Northern Pike caught in gill nets ranged from 15.0 to 32.2 inches with an average length of 21.8 inches. Recruitment from natural reproduction has been consistent with an occasional strong year class contributing to the fishery. Other species sampled during the 2024 standard survey in low to moderate numbers include Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead. In addition to the standard survey work, IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling using backpack electrofishing and seining was also conducted in 2024, to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health. Nearshore fish species sampled during the IBI included Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Iowa Darter, Jonny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Wilkins Lake was conducted 07/01/2024 by Aitkin Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at eight stations. One station was not seined due to dense vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 25 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Rock Bass) and on species tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Bigmouth Buffalo). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 07/29/2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biotic integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Black Bullhead). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Wilkins Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Wilkins Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Wilkins Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Wilkins Lake is moderately sized with clear water and is located in central Aitkin County. There is a township owned public access with a concrete log ramp, but no dock, located on the east side of the lake. The surrounding area is a mixture of forest-covered rolling hills with various wetland types interspersed. Sand is the most common substrate in shallow water areas with a few pockets of gravel and rubble scattered around the lake. The aquatic plant community is fairly diverse and provides good habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species. Additional benefits provided by a healthy plant community include stabilizing bottom substrates, reducing wave action and resulting erosion, and filtering nutrients and other potential contaminants. Wilkins Lake was selected in 1991 for an experimental regulation to enhance the size structure of the Northern Pike population. The regulation required anglers to immediately return all Northern Pike between 20 and 30". The bag limit was three and only one fish could be longer than 30". The regulation was in effect until 2007. When the time period for the regulation expired it was reviewed and determined that the size structure of the pike population did not change appreciably and hence the regulation was dropped. Northern Pike are currently managed under the statewide North Central zone regulations for inland waters which is a 10 fish limit, 22-26 inch protected slot, with no more than 2 over 26 inches allowed in possession. This regulation will allow for greater harvest opportunities for anglers and spearers, while still protecting a large portion of medium sized pike. Northern Pike abundance has been stable over the last four surveys and lower than what was observed in the 1990's. The gill net catch rate of 3.7/gill net is just below the long term average of 5.4/gill net and on the lower end of what would be considered normal for this type of lake. Northern Pike caught in gill nets ranged from 14.0 to 33.6" with an average length of 22.4". Recruitment from natural reproduction has been consistent with an occasional strong year class contributing to the fishery. The lack of a suitable forage base such as Yellow Perch is likely limiting the growth rates of pike. Fifty years ago Yellow Perch were abundant in Wilkins, but have since declined. Yellow Perch are stocked when available and juveniles have shown up in seine hauls but not many are surviving to adults. Nine adult perch were caught in 2019 equaling a catch rate of 1/gill net, prior to this, only one perch was caught since 1994. The 2019 catch of Yellow Perch is likely the result of the most recent stocking in 2018. Walleye are present in normal abundance for this type of lake at 2.3/gill net and have been stable over the last 15 years. Walleye spawning habitat is limited on Wilkins Lake and recruitment from natural reproduction has been poor. Historically, Walleye growth rates are good and a large portion of the population consists of quality sized fish. The average size of Walleye was 18.5 inches with fish up to 27.5 inches present in the survey. Bluegill catch rates increased in 2019 from the previous survey to 16.0/trap net and are within the expected range for similar lake types. In the long term Bluegill have shown a steady downward trend since 1985. The size structure of the Bluegill population is decent with an average size of 6.6", 5% longer than 8" and fish over 9 inches present. Black Crappies are within the normal range for similar lakes and survey net catches have shown fairly stable results going back to the mid 1980's. Prior to that abundance was a bit higher. Occasionally Black Crappie will produce a strong year class that provides some good angling opportunities. When present, crappies grow well in Wilkins and some good sized fish can be found. It's not uncommon to find crappie larger than 10 inches in Wilkins Lake. Gill net catches for Largemouth Bass have been stable over time and equaled the long term catch rate of 2.1/gill net. Sizes ranged from 7.1 to 14.7" in length, with an average of 11.0" and weight of about one pound.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill in Wilkins. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Wilkins. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Wilkins has a maximum depth of 39 feet and a mean depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Wilkins is from 2024.

No invasive species are on record for Wilkins in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.