Hovde

Hovde Lake is a 133-acre lake located near Walker, Minnesota that has 3.7 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 26 feet. The lake is entirely within the Chippewa National Forest. There is an earthen boat launch on US Forest Service land on the north shore. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Hovde Lake is in Lake Class 35. Lakes in this class are generally irregularly shaped lakes with predominately shallow water. Similar Lake Class 35 lakes in the Walker Area include Big Bass, Big Sand, and McKeown. A Largemouth Bass catch-and-release regulation was implemented in 2003. The purpose of this survey was to assess Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass populations and included spring electrofishing and trap netting. Largemouth bass are abundant and fish up to 17 inches long were sampled. Black Crappie and Bluegill were first sampled in 2008. Since then, the numbers of Black Crappie and Bluegill steadily increased and quality-sized fish of both species are present in this lake. Other fish species present are Golden Shiner, Walleye, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. 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 Hovde 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.

Hovde Lake is a 131-acre lake located near Walker, Minnesota that has 3.7 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 26 feet. There is an earthen boat launch on US Forest Service land on the north shore. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Hovde Lake is in Lake Class 35; lakes in this class are generally irregularly shaped lakes with predominately shallow water. Largemouth bass are abundant and fish up to 15 inches were sampled. A catch-and-release regulation for largemouth bass has been in place since 2002 to increase the overall size structure of the population. Black crappie and bluegill were sampled for the first time and are likely the result of illegal stocking. Other fish species present are walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch. Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Hovde Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.. Hovde Lake is not currently known to be infested with any aquatic invasive species (AIS). To avoid spreading AIS, lakes users should inspect and remove any aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat away from the landing prior to launching and again before leaving the access. If you suspect you may have discovered a new infestation of an invasive species, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on AIS prevention and awareness, including problems they cause, can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us)

Hovde Lake is a 131-acre lake located near Walker, Minnesota that has 3.7 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 26 feet. There is an earthen boat launch on US Forest Service land on the north shore. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Hovde Lake is in Lake Class 35; lakes in the class are generally irregularly shaped lakes with predominately shallow water. This lake is primarily managed for walleye and largemouth bass and secondarily for yellow perch. Walleye are present in Hovde Lake, and the mean length of fish sampled was 16.5 inches. Largemouth bass are abundant and fish up to 15 inches were sampled. There is a catch-and-release regulation for largemouth bass, which has been in place since 2002. Other fish species present are white sucker and yellow perch. Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Hovde Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.

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

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

Hovde has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hovde is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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