Marsh

Marsh Lake is an impoundment of the Minnesota River approximately three miles southwest of Appleton. The lake was created in the 1930's by construction of a dam on the Minnesota River near the outlet of the Pomme de Terre River. Marsh Lake is approximately 5,000 acres and it has a maximum depth of 5 feet at the normal summer pool level. Although the lake is shallow and nutrient rich, it rarely winterkills likely because oxygenated water flows through it from the Minnesota River, Five Mile Creek, and natural springs. Marsh Lake has provided good fishing for walleyes and northern pike. Fishing has mainly been limited to ice fishing because numerous boulders and shallow reefs make boating somewhat treacherous, and shallow depths at the boat ramps limit the size of boats that can be launched. A substantial amount of open water fishing occurs just upstream of the lake on the Minnesota River and by the culverts on the Louisburg Grade Road. There is a boat access along the Minnesota River bridge on the Grade Road. The bridge and culverts are popular shore angling locations and fishing can be very good when adequate flows are present. The Marsh Lake ecosystem project was completed in early 2020. The project included converting the low-head outlet dam to a rock-arch rapids fishway and construction of a separate draw-down outlet structure. Drawdowns were conducted during 2020 and 2021 that resulted in substantial increases in emergent vegetation around the shoreline. Water levels were returned to normal in 2022. This survey was conducted to evaluate the status of the fishery. These data can be compared to historical Standard and Targeted Survey data from Marsh Lake. Eleven species of fish were caught during this survey. Game fish present were channel catfish, walleye, white bass and northern pike. Most walleyes were 14 to 18 inches, up to 23 inches. Other species in moderate numbers were freshwater drum, common carp and black bullhead. Marsh Lake and connecting water bodies are regularly stocked with walleyes. Marsh Lake had high dissolved oxygen levels during the winter of 2025-2026. Prolonged high-water levels in 2025 killed most of the emergent vegetation that had become established during the previous drawdown period. Emergent vegetation provides valuable spawning and nursery habitat for many desirable species of fish. A drawdown is planned for the spring and summer of 2026 to promote the growth of emergent vegetation and restore a portion of the habitat that was lost. This drawdown will be less substantial than the previous ones.

Marsh Lake is an impoundment of the Minnesota River approximately three miles southwest of Appleton. The lake was created in the 1930's by construction of a dam on the Minnesota River near the outlet of the Pomme de Terre River. Marsh Lake is approximately 5,000 acres and it has a maximum depth of 5 feet at the normal summer pool level. Although the lake is shallow and nutrient rich, it rarely winterkills likely because oxygenated water flows through it from the Minnesota River, Five Mile Creek and natural springs. Marsh Lake has provided good fishing for walleyes and northern pike. Fishing has mainly been limited to ice and shore fishing because numerous boulders and shallow reefs make boating somewhat treacherous, and shallow depths at the boat ramps restrict boat size. A substantial amount of open water fishing occurs just upstream of the lake on the Minnesota River and by the culverts on the Louisburg Grade Road. There is a boat access along the Minnesota River bridge on the Grade Road. The bridge and culverts are popular shore angling locations and fishing can be very good when adequate flows are present. The Marsh Lake ecosystem project was completed in early 2020. The project included converting the low-head outlet dam to a rock-arch rapids fishway, and construction of a separate draw-down outlet structure. Drawdowns were conducted during 2020 and 2021 that resulted in substantial increases in emergent vegetation around the shoreline. Water levels were returned to normal in 2022. This survey was conducted to evaluate the response of the fishery. These data can be compared to historical Standard and Targeted Survey data from Marsh Lake. Sixteen species of fish were caught during this survey. Adult and young-of-year fish were abundant including black crappies, channel catfish, freshwater drum, northern pike, walleye, white bass and yellow perch. Forage fish were abundant including two species of shiners. This will benefit the game fish populations in Marsh Lake, as well as those in Lac qui Parle Lake just downstream. Marsh Lake had adequate dissolved oxygen levels during the winter of 2022-23 and the fishery should continue to thrive during 2024.

Marsh Lake is an impoundment of the Minnesota River approximately three miles southwest of Appleton. The lake was created in the 1930's by construction of a dam on the Minnesota River near the outlet of the Pomme de Terre River. Marsh Lake is approximately 5,000 acres and it has a maximum depth of 5 feet at the normal summer pool level. Although the lake is shallow and nutrient rich, it rarely winterkills likely because oxygenated water flows through it from the Minnesota River, Five Mile Creek, and natural springs. Marsh Lake has provided good fishing for Walleyes and Northern Pike. Fishing has mainly been limited to ice fishing because numerous boulders and shallow reefs make boating somewhat treacherous, and shallow depths at the boat ramps limit the size of boats that can be launched. A substantial amount of open water fishing occurs just upstream of the lake on the Minnesota River and by the culverts on the Louisburg Grade Road. There is a boat access along the Minnesota River bridge on the Grade Road. The bridge and culverts are popular shore angling locations and fishing can be very good when adequate flows are present. The Marsh Lake ecosystem project was completed in early 2020. The project included converting the low-head outlet dam to a rock-arch rapids fishway, and construction of a separate draw-down outlet structure. Drawdowns were conducted during 2020 and 2021 that resulted in substantial increases in emergent vegetation around the shoreline. Water levels were returned to normal in 2022. This survey was conducted to evaluate the response of the fishery. These data can be compared to historical Standard and Targeted Survey data from Marsh Lake. Twenty-one species of fish were caught during this survey including Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Walleye, White Bass and Yellow Perch. Most game fish were young-of-year or yearlings, and they were relatively small. Their growth rates were good, and they are expected to attract anglers by the fall of 2023. Young-of-year crappies and Northern Pike were especially abundant, and indication of good natural reproduction. Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum and White Bass were present in adequate numbers and sizes to provide a fishery. Forage fishes were abundant in this survey, including three species of shiners. This will benefit the game fish populations in Marsh Lake, as well as those in Lac qui Parle Lake just downstream. Marsh Lake had good dissolved oxygen levels during the winter of 2022-23 and the fishery should continue to thrive during 2023.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, and White Crappie in Marsh. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Marsh has a maximum depth of 5 feet and a mean depth of 3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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