Hiniker Pond

Hiniker Pond is an 18-acre lake within the city of Mankato. Hiniker Pond has a maximum depth of 21 feet with approximately 66% of the lake classified as littoral area. Hiniker Pond was excavated in the 1940s and has been under private and municipal ownership since. The pond is located within a city park which includes a walking path around the lake, a swimming beach, and a fishing pier. There is no public boat access although small craft may be carried to the lake. Hiniker Pond is connected to an oxbow lake and the Minnesota River during high water. Hiniker Pond is primarily managed as a Kid's Fishing Pond and is stocked with Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, crappies, and Northern Pike on an as-needed basis. Hiniker Pond also contains riverine species such as Gizzard Shad and Shortnose Gar due to its periodic connection to the Minnesota River. Hiniker Pond was stocked with Rainbow Trout in January 2024 to provide an additional angling opportunity in southern Minnesota. If successful, the stocking will become annual. A standard survey was completed the week of 30 June 2023 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying 2 gill nets and 6 trap nets. Water quality parameters were also recorded. Gill nets sampled very few fish. Three each of Northern Pike, Shortnose Gar, and Walleye were sampled with gill nets. Additionally, two Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets. Thirty-three Black Crappies (5.5/trap net) were sampled with trap nets. Black Crappie ranged from 4.1 inches to 11.7 inches and averaged 8.0 inches. Black Crappie were aged using otoliths. Seven year-classes (age-1 through age-7) were present. Black Crappie reached 9 inches in length by their 4th year. Thirty Bluegill were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 5.0/trap net. Bluegill ranged from 3.9 inches to 7.2 inches and averaged 5.6 inches. Bluegill were aged using otoliths. Bluegills age-2 through age-5 were present with 83% being age-3 or age-4. Bluegill growth was similar to other area lakes with fish reaching 6 inches by their 4th year. Other species sampled in trap nets but in low numbers included Common Carp, Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), hybrid Sunfish, Shortnose Gar, and Yellow Bullhead. Water temperature ranged from 76.6 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 68.2 degrees Fahrenheit at 10 feet. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 9.3 ppm at the surface to 0.2 ppm at 10 feet. A thermocline was detected between 7 and 8 feet deep. -Brandon Eder, assistant area supervisor

Hiniker Pond (18 acres) is a former gravel pit located in Blue Earth County in the city of North Mankato. The pond was converted from a gravel pit to a city park that provides urban recreational activities for Mankato residents. The city park is located on the south side of the pond and provides access for the public. Hiniker pond is relatively deep in relation to its surface area, having a maximum depth of 24.0 ft. The game fish community consists of northern pike, bluegills, and yellow perch. Hiniker Pond was stocked regularly with walleye fingerlings, yearlings, and adults (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010), with adult northern pike (2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009), and with adult bluegills (2007 and 2008). A lake population assessment was conducted the week of 6-13-2012 to monitor the fish community of Hiniker Pond using 1 gill net and 4 trap nets. The water in Hiniker Pond was clear and had a secchi depth reading of 8.5 ft. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 11.8 ppm at 11.0 ft to 0.1 ppm at 20.0 ft. Thermal stratification of the water column occurred between 12 and 13 ft of depth as evidenced by a drop in temperature from 68.5 to 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Northern pike were captured at a rate of 7.0/gill net, well above historic catch rates for this water body. Length of northern pike ranged from 23.7 to 31.0 inches and averaged 27.0 inches. Yellow perch catch rates have been highly variable over the last several surveys ranging from 0.0/gill net in 2007 to 35.0/gill net in 1984. In 2012, yellow perch were captured at a rate of 10.0/gill net. Yellow perch ranged in size from 5.6 to 8.2 inches and averaged 6.4 inches. The perch population is likely the main prey base for the northern pike in this system. Historic catch rates of bluegills have hovered around the 20.0 to 30.0/trap net in the last two decades. The 2012 catch rate of bluegills was 19.0/trap net, which is similar to historic catches. The bluegills ranged from 3.2 to 7.7 inches in length and averaged 6.0 inches, with 85% being greater than 5.5 inches long. This is similar to the 2007 assessment where the majority of the bluegills were between 6.0 and 7.5 inches long. Walleye stocking appears to be unsuccessful, as no walleye were sampled in either the 2007 or 2012 survey despite stocking efforts. Black crappie, gizzard shad, orangespotted sunfish, quillback, freshwater drum, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, and white crappies were sampled, but in low numbers.

Hiniker Pond (15 acres) is a former gravel pit located in North Mankato, which was converted to a popular city park and swimming beach. Hiniker Pond is stocked annually with 30 adult northern pike or walleye to provide angling opportunity. The 2007 survey found a sparse fish community that was dominated by 6 - 7.5 inch bluegill at 20/trapnet. Other species present in low abundance include black crappie, white crappie, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and carp. A gizzard shad mortality event, perhaps related to rapid temperature changes, was observed by staff in the April 2007. No shad were observed in the survey.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, White Crappie, Green Sunfish, Yellow Perch, and Walleye in Hiniker Pond. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Hiniker Pond. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Hiniker Pond has a maximum depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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