Hill

Hill Lake is one of the larger lakes in Aitkin County at 907 acres and is located on the east side of Hill City. The lake has a maximum depth of 48 feet and is divided into two distinct basins by Highway 200. In addition to the public accesses (one on each basin), a fishing pier also exists in Hill City on the west side of the north basin. Hill Lake AMA on the east side of the north basin also offers unimproved access for shore anglers. Hill Lake has a long history of fisheries management dating back to an initial survey conducted in 1948. Hill is primarily managed for Walleye via fry and fingerling stocking in alternate years. Hill Lake is also part of the Sentinel Lakes program and is closely monitored by DNR, Aitkin County, and MN PCA partners. The aquatic plant community in Hill Lake is relatively diverse with a narrow band of moderately dense plant growth rimming both basins. Aquatic vegetation grows in approximately two-thirds of the smaller southern basin, though reduced water clarity compared to the north basin limits how deep these plants can grow. A standard survey of Hill Lake was conducted the week of 7/14/2025, which included Largemouth Bass electrofishing (5/14/2025). Additionally, a Walleye and Northern Pike spawning stock assessment (Targeted Survey 4/21/2025) was also performed and a nearshore survey for lake health analysis was also conducted (See Targeted Survey 07/01/2025). Although numbers of Walleye in Hill Lake appear lower than in the past, anglers will still find opportunity to catch and harvest some "eater" sized fish. Trophy-sized fish are also present in the system, which gives a realistic chance at landing a Walleye over 28 inches. Overall, the Walleye gill net catch decreased from levels observed in 2023 (5.9 per net) to 1.9 per net in 2025. This was below average for the lake class (3.0 per net) and the second lowest catch rate recorded for Hill Lake (2018; 1.2 per net). Eight year classes of Walleye were observed ranging from age 2 to age 17. Three fish were sampled from non-stocked year classes, and the majority of other fish sampled were from fingerling-stocked year classes. Additionally, concern exists for future recruitment, as the number of Walleye age 4 and younger captured was the second lowest observed of recent surveys (2018). Walleye captured during the standard survey ranged from 10.5 to 29.5 inches in length, with an average of 16.6 inches. During the spring spawning stock assessment (electrofishing and trap netting), 149 Walleye were captured. Trap net-caught fish (74) averaged 21.6 inches and ranged from 15.1 to 29.4 inches in length. Electrofishing-caught fish (75) averaged 20.2 inches and ranged from 15.3 to 29.4 inches in length. See "Targeted Survey (4/21/2025)" for more detailed results of Walleye captured during the spawning stock assessment. Relative abundance of Northern Pike captured during the 2025 standard survey was the highest ever observed at 8.8 per gill net. It is likely that this increased abundance of Northern Pike (a trend since 2010) is having a negative impact on Walleye fingerling survival. Northern Pike in Hill Lake displayed quality size structure and a trophy component exists within the fishery, with 25% of the gill net sample greater than 26.0 inches and fish up to 41.5 inches observed during the spawning stock assessment. Northern Pike captured in the standard survey ranged from 16.0 to 37.0 inches, with an average length of 23.5 inches. Northern Pike caught in trap nets during the spawning stock assessment ranged from 9.0 to 41.5 inches, with an average length of 21.8 inches. Anglers at Hill Lake are encouraged to harvest smaller Northern Pike and release larger fish to maintain the impressive size structure. See "Targeted Survey (4/21/2025)" for more detailed results of Northern Pike captured during the spawning stock assessment. Black Crappie catch rates in gill nets increased from the 2023 survey (1.2 per net) to 5.8 per net. This catch rate is well-above the lake class average (1.2 per net) but similar the average over the last 10 years (5.4 per net). Black Crappie ranged in size from 5.8 to 11.9 inches, with an average length of 9.1 inches. The 2020 and 2018 year classes were the strongest of the sampled fish, which ranged in age from 2 to 7 years old. Those two strong year classes will provide for angling catches of fish over 10 inches for the next couple of years. Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rates were similar to 2023 (31.7 per hour) at 30.0 fish per hour. Largemouth Bass electrofishing catches have steadily declined since a high of 69.0 per hour in 2009. Captured Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 6.1 to 19.6 inches, with an average length of 15.4 inches. Gill net catch rates for Yellow Perch, an important forage species, increased to the highest levels observed since 2018 (36.8 per net) at 13.7 per net. It is possible that the observed increase in Yellow Perch relative abundance is due to the relative decrease in the Walleye population. In addition to the standard survey work, IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling using backpack electrofishing and seining was also conducted in 2025 (Targeted Survey 07/01/2025) to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health. Sixteen nearshore fish species were sampled during the IBI survey including Blackchin Shiner, Banded Killifish, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Least Darter, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Hill Lake was conducted on July 1, 2025, by Aitkin area fisheries staff. Sampling sites (N=14) 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 all 14 sampling stations, 2 of which were sampled via boat due to deep water, soft sediment, or dense emergent vegetation. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 5 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 6 stations. Three stations were not seined due to deep water, soft sediment, or dense emergent vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including 5 species that are intolerant of disturbance (e.g., Least Darter, Rock Bass, Blackchin Shiner) and 1 that is tolerant of disturbance (e.g., Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 7/14/2025 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based score of biotic integrity (FIBI). The FIBI score uses fish community data to quantify a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify 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, Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish, Common Carp). 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 web site. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Hill Lake appears healthy as indicated by a FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Hill Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. These 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 Hill Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A spring assessment was conducted between 4/21/2025 and 4/30/2025 on Hill Lake to monitor the adult Walleye population. A total of 60 trap nets were set across 26 locations in a 5-day period. Nighttime electrofishing was conducted twice during the sampling period. Water temperatures ranged from 40.5 to 44.9 degrees Fahrenheit. All Walleye were marked on the lower caudal fin with a hole punch, and length, sex, spawning condition and recaptures were recorded. Northern Pike length, sex, and spawning condition were also recorded. Additionally, Black Crappie were collected as part of a broad research project investigating populations across Minnesota from a subset of the sampling. A total of 74 Walleye were captured in trap nets, resulting in a trap net catch rate of 1.2 per net. These Walleye ranged from 15.1 to 29.4 inches and averaged 21.6 inches. Similarly, electrofishing captured a total of 75 Walleye (23.4 per hour), with fish ranging from 15.3 to 29.4 inches and averaging 20.2 inches. When all gear types were combined, females made up 35 percent (N = 52) of the sample, males made up 64 percent (n = 95), and unknowns accounted for 1 percent (n = 2). Females ranged from 15.1 to 29.4 inches and averaged 23.5 inches, while males ranged from 15.3 to 24.4 inches and averaged 19.6 inches. A total of 17 (11 in last night of EF) Walleye were recaptured during the assessment and two different population estimates were calculated. A population estimate of the adult Walleye over 15 inches was about 500 fish (300-850). While this estimate is quite low for Hill Lake, it is not dissimilar to an estimate made using data from the 2025 GN survey (1.0/net, 15 inches and larger) data and a catchability model, which was at 636 (400-1000) Walleye 15 inches and larger. Northern Pike were only sampled in trap nets. A total of 213 Pike were captured for a trap net catch of 3.5 per net. Pike ranged from 9.0 to 41.5 inches and averaged 21.8 inches. Thirty-seven percent (n = 78) of the sample were female, 60 percent (n = 129) were male, and 3 percent (n = 6) were unknown. Females averaged 24.8 inches with fish up to 41.5 inches observed, while males averaged 20.6 inches with fish up to 30.8 inches observed. Black Crappie were also collected as part of a statewide research project investigating Crappie populations across Minnesota. We collected a total of 110 fish in this survey, but only from a subset of stations and so the catch rate reported above is not reflective of the entire catch for the gear. Individuals averaged 9.4 inches to 12.1 inches. Growth was moderate and individuals averaged 7.3 and 10.5 inches at ages 3 and 6 years, respectively. Maximum age of individuals that were collected was 10 years.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Hybrid Sunfish in Hill. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Hill has a maximum depth of 48 feet and a mean depth of 21.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hill is from 2025.

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