Boy

Boy Lake is a 3,466-acre lake with 2,007 littoral acres, 26 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 45 feet located north of Longville, MN. A DNR owned public access is located on the southwest shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Boy Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in this class are generally deep, clear and irregularly shaped. Other Lake Class 25 lakes in the Walker Area include Birch, Blackwater, Girl, Hand, and Inguadona. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Muskellunge. Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) are secondary management species. A special regulation for Sunfish and Black Crappie (daily bag limit 10 Sunfish and 5 Black Crappie) was implemented March 1, 2022 as part of the state-wide Quality Sunfish Initiative (QSI) which aims to protect or increase size of Sunfish populations. Northern Pike abundance remained higher than management goals. Lengths ranged from 11 to 30 inches, with an average length of 18 inches and did not meet population size structure goals. Walleye abundance was below management goals for the first time since 1984. Walleye lengths ranged from 10 to 26 inches, with an average length of 19 inches. The 2019 year-class is strong and is maintaining the fishery. Yellow Perch numbers declined to a record low and were below management goals, but fish up to 9 inches long were sampled. Black Crappie abundance increased from previous surveys and exceeded size structure management goals. Black Crappie ranged in length from 9 to 15 inches. Bluegill abundance increased from previous surveys and exceeded management goals with fish up to 9 inches sampled. Largemouth Bass catch rates remained high with fish up to 16 inches long sampled. Targeted electrofishing surveys are required to develop long-range management goals for Largemouth Bass. Other fish species sampled include, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Smallmouth Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Zebra Mussels, an aquatic invasive species (AIS) were identified in Boy Lake in 2025. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Boy Lake, which is located partially within the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation, on July 30, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 21.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 19.8 feet at the time of sampling. The water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 22.1 degrees C (71.7 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2008-2021 during the late summer thermal stress period also indicate marginal or unsuitable oxythermal habitat in years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2017. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Boy Lake, which is located partially within the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation, on July 30, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 21.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 19.8 feet at the time of sampling. The water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 22.1 degrees C (71.7 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2008-2021 during the late summer thermal stress period also indicate marginal or unsuitable oxythermal habitat in years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2017. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

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

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

Boy has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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