Hanska

Hanska is a large-sized lake (1,794 acres) located west of the City of Hanska in Brown County. A large state-owned access with paved parking and a double cement boat ramp is present on the southeast shore. There are also two smaller boat ramps at the northwest end of the lake (Geiger Point and Godahl). There are fishing piers at the Hanska County Park, the Geiger Point access and the Godahl access. Hanska has approximately twenty-one miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of sixteen feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Hanska is a class 41 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Jennie and Washington Lakes in Meeker County. Hanska's 2022 lake management plan listed Walleye as the primary management species, while Black Crappie and Channel Catfish were secondary species. Two separate aeration systems are occasionally operated during ice-covered months to provide a refuge area for fish during harsh winters. The most recent partial winterkill at Hanska Lake was very light in nature and occurred in 2023. Fish populations can fluctuate widely depending on the severity of the latest winterkill event. Gill netting was completed in 2025 to monitor the fish population and to evaluate the Walleye stocking regime. High numbers of Walleye were netted in 2025, but size was small. Walleye averaged 11 inches in length. Maximum Walleye length was a respectable 25 inches. An unimpressive 4 percent of the catch was 13 inches or longer. The oldest Walleye was age-8. High numbers of Channel Catfish were netted, and the average length was impressive (19 inches). Maximum catfish length was an exciting 26 inches. Very low numbers (one) of Black Crappie were netted in 2025, but gill nets do not always do a good job of sampling this species at Hanska. So, crappie may be more abundant than the gill nets indicated. Yellow Perch were not gill netted in 2025. Very low numbers (three) of Northern Pike were gill netted this year with fish averaging 24 inches in length. Northern Pike regulations were revised at a statewide level beginning in 2018 to better accommodate regional differences in pike habitats, population abundances and size structures. Three management zones were established for Northern Pike, with their own bag limit and length limit restrictions. In the southern zone, where Hanska Lake is found, anglers can keep two Northern Pike. The minimum size limit is 24 inches. All fish less than 24 inches must be immediately released. This zone regulation is meant to increase Northern Pike abundance and increase size of harvested fish. Additional fishes sampled in the 2025 gill nets included Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp and Freshwater Drum. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local MNDNR office. Additional information on all these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

Hanska is a large (1,794 acres) and shallow lake located near the City of Hanska in Brown County. A large state-owned access with a double cement boat ramp is located on the southeast shore. A smaller state-owned access with a cement boat ramp is located at the northwest end of the lake - north of Godahl. A moderate-sized county access with a cement boat ramp is located at the northwest end of the lake - on the north shoreline. Fishing piers are found at the two accesses on the northwest end and at the Hanska County Park on the east end of the lake. Hanska has 21 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 16 feet. There are dredged sections of the lake at the southeast and the northwest ends of the lake, but much of the mid-portion of the lake is closer to 6 feet in depth. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Hanska is a class 41 lake and other similar lakes in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Washington and Long (Grove City), both in Meeker County. Hanska Lake occasionally suffers from winterkill and fish populations can fluctuate widely depending on the severity of the latest event. The last severe winterkill was in 2001. Species that are more intolerant of low winter oxygen levels include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish and these species tend to experience greater mortality during harsh winters. Hanksa is often aerated during the winter to provide small refuge areas for fish during severe winters. Aeration systems are present at the southeast and northwest ends of the lake. Anglers are encouraged to stay far back from the open water and thin ice signs during the winter. Walleye were sampled in good numbers in 2021, with fish averaging 16 inches in length and maxing out at 23 inches. Walleye tend to do well in the turbid waters of Hanska Lake. Trolling crankbaits should do the trick as submergent vegetation is often sparse at this lake. A leech under a bobber or a jig and a minnow are other local favorite techniques for catching Walleye. In recent years, Black Crappie have become a larger part of the angler's catch as their numbers have increased during the last two surveys (2017 and 2021). The fishing pier at the county park is a great place to try a tube jig tipped with a small minnow to catch crappie in the spring. Channel Catfish were abundant in 2021 with gill netted catfish averaging 14 inches in length. The longest Channel Catfish sampled in 2021 was just under 28 inches. Shore fishing towards sunset with a piece of chicken liver laying on the bottom should provide some action from a hungry channel cat. Bluegill were not abundant in 2021, but large sized fish were definitely present. Almost half the Bluegill sampled in the trap nets were 8 inches or longer, with maximum length being an impressive 10 inches. Try a teardrop jig with a waxworm along the shorelines, up under the tree branches, for both Bluegill and crappie in the spring. You may even get a nice perch using this technique. Although Yellow Perch were not sampled in good numbers, a few 9 to 10 inch fish were present that could be considered a bonus catch while fishing Hanksa Lake. Other species that anglers may encounter include Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. Of interest, this was the first time that Freshwater Drum were sampled at Hanska. As a new member of the fish community and opportunistic forager, Freshwater Drum will provide angling opportunities and make great table fare for anglers who take the time to fillet carefully and remove the red tissue along the fish's lateral line. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local DNR office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

A standard survey was conducted at Hanska Lake the week of June 19, 2017 to monitor the fish population and to do a preliminary evaluation of the 2013 Walleye stocking regime. Gill nets and trap nets were set to sample the fish community. The 2013 lake management plan lists Walleye as the primary management species while, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and Black Crappie are listed as secondary species. In 2017, a total of 14 species, plus Hybrid Sunfish, were sampled in the gill nets and trap nets. Catch rates were compared to other similar lakes across the state. Hanska Lake's dissolved oxygen levels were adequate for fish use, from top to bottom, on 6/19/17. The water clarity was limited, with a secchi disk reading of 2.3 feet, due to algae. A fishing pier was available at the Hanska Lake Brown County Park on the east side of the lake. Smaller fishing piers, at accesses on the Northwest side of the lake, were also available. Hanska has a history of winterkill with a severe kill occurring in 2001, and a lighter event occurring in 2014. Aerators, one at the northwest end and the other on the southeast end, are sometimes operated at Hanska to reduce the likelihood and severity of winterkill. Fish populations can fluctuate widely on winterkill lakes depending on the frequency and severity of the latest kill. Hanska Lake is a designated Wildlife Lake with drawdown capabilities. Curlyleaf Pondweed, a non-native aquatic submerged plant, can reach nuisance levels in May and June in various parts of the lake. Hanska is a long (7 miles) and shallow lake, and with its NW to SE orientation, is subject to big waves on a windy day. Areas on the NW and SE ends have been dredged to 10 to 12 feet, but most of the center of the lake is only 5 to 6 feet deep. Gill nets sampled low to moderate numbers (22) of Walleye for a catch rate of 4.4/net, which was within what might be expected for this type of lake. The 2012 catch rate was 17.0/net. Historic catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) were generally high, ranging from 0.0 to 54.0/net with an average 20.4. Different stocking amounts and periods of no stocking occurred during these 34 years. The latest Walleye fry stocking regime (1,773,000 fry two out of three years) was initiated in 2013. Fry were stocked in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. In 2017, gill netted Walleye were 10.4 to 26.2 inches long with an average of 13.9. Approximately 68% of the gill net sample was between 12.0 and 14.9 inches in length, but only 9% were 15.0 inches or longer, indicating a mediocre size structure. Trap nets sampled almost as many (19) Walleye as the gill nets did, which is rare, with a maximum length of 28.4 inches. Walleye, from both gears, were age-1 to age-12 with seven year classes present. Gill net aged fish matched up 100% with stocked years and approximately 94% of the trap net aged fish matched up with stocked years also. This may indicate that natural reproduction is not significant at Hanska Lake. Assessments in 2011 and 2012 also indicated that natural reproduction may not be significant. The inability to separate fry stocked Walleye from naturally reproduced fish, during stocked years, confounds potential evaluation. Walleye anglers could expect fair fishing at Hanska. Gill nets sampled low numbers (1) of Northern Pike for a catch rate of 0.2/net, which was below what might be expected for this type of lake. This catch rate indicated that recruitment was very low. The 2012 catch rate was also low at 0.4/net. Historical catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) were mostly low ranging from 0.0 to 5.5/net with an average of 0.9. The gill netted Northern Pike was 17.5 inches long. Trap nets did not sample any Northern Pike in 2017. Inadequate spawning habitat and hot summer water temperatures may be limiting the pike population at Hanska. Trap nets sampled moderate numbers (181) of Black Crappie for a catch rate of 15.1/net, which was above what might be expected for this lake type. The 2012 catch rate was 4.4/net. Historic catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 188.3/net with an average of 25.1. Trap netted Black Crappie were 5.1 to 11.3 inches long with an average of 9.5. Approximately 82% of the trap net catch was 9 inches or longer. Gill nets sampled low numbers (1) of Black Crappie for a catch rate of 0.2/net, which was below what might be expected for this type of lake. The 2012 catch rate was 24.2/net. Historic gill net catch rates (n=19) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 223.0/net with an average of 23.3. The trap net size distribution indicated that multiple year classes were present and that a quality population was present. Good numbers and sizes of crappie were present, but it may take a little searching to find them in this 1,700 acre lake. Gill nets sampled high numbers (42) of Channel Catfish for a catch rate of 8.4/net. The 2012 catch rate was 18.0/net. Historic catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) ranged from 0.0 to 18.0/net with an average of 2.3. In 2017, gill netted Channel Catfish were 6.6 to 25.8 inches long with an average of 19.5. Approximately 55% of the gill net catch was 20 inches or longer. The size distribution indicated that multiple year classes were present. Trap nets sampled fish up to 26.8 inches in length. The one year stocking of Channel Catfish, in 2001, was highly successful and the population is now naturally reproducing and sustaining themselves. A light winterkill, in 2014, followed by a summerkill that same year, likely reduced Channel Catfish numbers at Hanska Lake, but the population likely rebounded in time for the 2017 assessment. Catfish anglers should expect good action from these easy to catch, hard fighting, and delicious tasting fish. Trap nets sampled low numbers (65) of Bluegill for a catch rate of 5.4/net which was within what might be expected for this type of lake. The 2012 catch rate was 9.6/net. Historic catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 166.0/net, with an average of 18.9. In 2017, trap netted Bluegill were 3.4 to 9.9 inches long with an average of 7.6. Approximately 67% of the trap net sample was 7 inches or longer, indicating a quality size structure. The size distribution indicated that multiple year classes were present, but recruitment would not be considered consistent. Bluegill anglers may want to target these fish in the spring and early summer, when they should be more concentrated and easier to locate. Gill nets sampled low numbers (9) of Yellow Perch for a catch rate of 1.8/net, which was below what might be expected for this type of lake. The 2012 catch rate was much higher at 49.8/net. Historic catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 54.4/net with an average of 15.6. In 2017, gill netted Yellow Perch were 6.3 to 10.5 inches long with an average of 8.7. The size distributions and a low catch rate indicated inconsistent reproduction. Some quality sized fish were present for anglers, but numbers appeared to be quite low. Gill nets sampled high numbers (146) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 29.2/net which was above what might be expected for this lake type and the second highest ever recorded at Hanska. Historic gill net catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 36.0/net with an average of 6.9. Gill netted fish were 16.0 to 27.6 inches long with an average of 19.1. Trap nets also sampled high numbers (84) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 7.0/net, which was above what might be expected for this type of lake. Historic catch rates (n=19) were also quite variable, ranging from 0.0 to 24.0/net with an average of 3.8. Trap netted Common Carp were 9.7 to 29.6 inches long with an average of 19.3. Size distributions likely indicated that at least four year classes were present. Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (134) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 26.8/net, which was within what might be expected for this type of lake. Historic catch rates from 1983 to 2017 (n=19) were highly variable ranging from 0.0 to 374.0/net with an average of 139.6. Gill netted Black Bullhead were 9.9 to 12.2 inches long with an average of 11.0. Trap nets sampled low numbers (54) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 4.5/net, which was within what might be expected for this lake type. Trap netted fish were 10.1 to 13.0 inches long. Both size distributions indicated inconsistent recruitment. Additional species sampled in the standard gear included Bigmouth Buffalo, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead, and White Sucker.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass in Hanska. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Hanska has a maximum depth of 16 feet and a mean depth of 4.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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