Detroit

This assessment was conducted using large-frame trap nets set in spring to examine the sizes of mature Muskellunge in Detroit Lake. Muskellunge were first introduced into the lake in 1989, with directed Muskellunge surveys beginning on Detroit Lake in 1993. Sixteen surveys had been conducted prior to 2025. This assessment represents the third consecutive year of muskellunge sampling on Detroit Lake. This effort consisted of marking fish in year 2 (2024) using large-frame trap nets, followed by recapturing fish in year 3 (2025) again with large-frame trap nets. All Muskellunge sampled in Detroit Lake since 2019 have been marked with PIT tags. Large frame trap nets captured 122 individual Muskellunge, for a catch rate of 0.71 fish per net. Thirty-six female and 86 male Muskellunge were captured. Muskellunge averaged 43.0 inches and ranged 33.7 to 54.8 inches in 2025. Female Muskellunge averaged 47.0 inches. Mean weight of all Muskellunge was 19.3 pounds. Data from 2024 and 2025 were used to estimate the number of adult Muskellunge in Detroit Lake in 2024. The number of adult Muskellunge was estimated to be 402 individuals, or 0.13 fish per surface acre. The last time this kind of estimate was completed on Detroit Lake was in 2023. Remarkably, the density estimate calculated then was also 0.13 fish per surface acre. These estimates are within the range of other Minnesota waters where similar surveys have been conducted, and will be used to guide future management decisions in Detroit Lake.

This assessment was conducted using large-frame trap nets set in spring to examine the sizes of mature Muskellunge in Detroit Lake. Muskellunge were first introduced into the lake in 1989, with directed Muskellunge surveys beginning on Detroit Lake in 1993. Fifteen surveys had been conducted prior to 2024. This assessment represents the second consecutive year of muskellunge sampling on Detroit Lake. This two year effort consisted of marking fish in year 1 (2023) using large-frame trap nets, followed by recapturing fish in year 2 (2024) again with large-frame trap nets. All Muskellunge sampled in Detroit Lake since 2019 have been marked with PIT tags. Large frame trap nets captured 71 individual Muskellunge, for a catch rate of 0.71 fish per net. Fifteen female and 56 male Muskellunge were captured. Muskellunge averaged 42.1 inches and ranged 35.2 to 52.1 inches in 2024. Female Muskellunge averaged 47.6 inches. Mean weight of all Muskellunge was 16.9 pounds. Data from 2023 and 2024 were used to estimate the number of adult Muskellunge in Detroit Lake in 2023. The number of adult Muskellunge was estimated to be 395 individuals, or 0.12 fish per surface acre. The last time this kind of estimate was completed on Detroit Lake was in 2015. Remarkably, the density estimate calculated then was 0.12 fish per surface acre. These estimates are within the range of other Minnesota waters where similar surveys have been conducted.

Detroit Lake is a 3,067-acre lake within the city limits of Detroit Lakes. Visually, the lake has three parts, Big Detroit, Little Detroit, and Curfman Lake (a.k.a., Deadshot Bay). Curfman Lake is 120 acres, Little Detroit covers approximately 1,000 acres, and Big Detroit, the main basin, is over 2,000 acres in size. Fisheries assessments treat all three connected basins as one lake. The lake's primary inlet and outlet, the Pelican River, enters the north shore of Big Detroit and exits the southwest shore of Little Detroit. The Pelican River supports spawning runs for Northern Pike, Walleye, and White Sucker. A standard fisheries survey was completed in August 2023 to assess the fish populations in Detroit Lake. Anglers will find a moderate number of Northern Pike in Detroit Lake, however, most of these fish will be on the small side. The average size of the pike captured in 2023 was 19 inches, but one 29-inch fish was measured. Additionally, although not the target of this survey, one 40-inch Muskellunge was measured in the survey. Detroit Lake has a very stable Walleye population and the 2023 survey captured Walleyes in good numbers and size. About 83% of the Walleye observed in 2023 were over 15 inches and 29% were over 20 inches. Anglers can expect to find good numbers of small Bluegills, but fish over eight inches are rare. Only two percent of the Bluegills sampled in 2023 were over eight inches. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers in the nets, which is often the case with this sampling gear. Black Crappie up to 10.5 inches were measured and Largemouth Bass up to 19 inches were captured. Lake Sturgeon are present in Detroit Lake and the survey captured fish up to 35 inches. Other fish species observed were Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

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

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

Detroit has a maximum depth of 89 feet and a mean depth of 14.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Detroit is from 2023.

Yes — Detroit has confirmed flowering rush and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.