Stony

Stony Lake is a 563-acre lake with 6.58 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 50 feet located east of Hackensack, MN. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access is located on the south shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Stony Lake is in Lake Class 23; lakes in this class are generally deep and very clear lakes. Other Lake class 23 lakes in the Walker Area include Mule, Man Horseshoe, and Long lakes. Stony Lake possesses a highly developed shoreline. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Smallmouth Bass and secondarily for Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. Walleye abundance failed to meet the long-range management for the third consecutive survey. Walleye lengths ranged from 12 to 28 inches with a mean length of 18 inches. Northern Pike are abundant, exceeding the maximum management goal the past 2 surveys. Sampled pike ranged in length from 9 to 38 inches with a mean length of 19 inches. Black Crappie abundance and size met long-range management goals, and lengths ranged from 5 to 12 inches with a mean length of 10 inches. Bluegill abundance was similar to recent surveys and lengths ranged from 3 to 10 inches. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 5 to 15 inches. Yellow Perch abundance has remained below management goals since 2005. Other fish sampled in Stony Lake included, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, 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. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Stony Lake. 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.

Stony Lake (DOW#11-0371) is a 563-acre lake located northeast of Hackensack, Minnesota. Stony Lake has 6.58 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 50 ft. A state-owned public access is located on the south shore. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Stony Lake is in Lake Class 23; other nearby lakes in this class includes Baby, Jack, Mule and Ponto Lakes. Lakes in this class tend to be deep and have a low percentage of area less than 15 feet deep. These lakes also tend to have hard water and be very clear. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. Secondary management species are Bluegill, Black Crappie, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. Largemouth Bass numbers were similar to recent electrofishing surveys and the catch rate met the management goal. Lengths ranged from 5 to 17 inches from all sampling gears. Smallmouth Bass below the management goal but size quality as good with lengths ranging from 10 to 19 inches. The Walleye catch rate below the management goal despite stocking fingerlings during even years. Walleye lengths ranged from 8 to 23 inches. Stony Lake has an abundant Northern Pike population with fish ranging in length from 10 to 36 inches. Bluegill catch rates were below the management goal but fish up to 9 inches were sampled. Black Crappie catch rates were also below management goals but targeted spring sampling is needed to better assess the population. Black Crappie ranged in length from 5 to 13 inches. Yellow Perch were caught at a low rate and did not meet the management goal. Most Yellow perch were small with fish 5 to 9 inches sampled. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead and White Sucker. 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. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Stony Lake. 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.

An index of biological integrity (IBI) is a score that compares the types and numbers of fish or plants observed in a lake to what is expected for a healthy lake. The Fish IBI score (FIBI) uses fish community data to measure a lake's health. The types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blackchin Shiner, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the http://www.dnr.state.mn.us website. An FIBI score was calculated for Stony Lake of 58, which is above the impairment threshold (45) but below the exceptional threshold (64). Data from this survey indicates Stony Lake is healthy. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Stony has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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