Welch

Welch Lake (DOW# 11-0493; Lake Class 31) is a 195-acre lake with 78 littoral acres, 2.30 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 59 feet located near Wilkinson, MN. A DNR owned public access is located on the east shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Welch Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in the class are generally clear, productive, with moderate depth. Other Lake Class 31 lakes in the Walker Area include Bowen, Five Point, Little Webb, and Sanborn. In 2025 a spring trap net survey was completed to evaluate a special regulation for Sunfish (5 Sunfish daily bag) which was implemented in 2022. High numbers of Bluegill were sampled although most were small, ranging in length from 2 to 10 inches, and a mean length of 4.71 inches. Current management goals were developed utilizing summer trap net data although, size structure represented in the spring trap nets was much smaller than what was observed in the previous summer survey (2020). Additionally, both Hybrid Sunfish and Pumpkinseed were sampled measuring up to 10 inches. 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. No aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Welch 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Welch Lake was conducted on July 7th, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 15-foot seine was used at six stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (a single Black Bullhead). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 17th, 2020 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and 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 (Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, 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 mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Welch Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. 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.

Welch Lake (DOW# 11-0493; Lake Class 31) is a 195-acre lake located near Wilkinson, MN. A DNR owned public access is located on the east shore. Welch Lake has 2.30 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 59 feet. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Welch Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in the class are generally clear, productive, with moderate depth. Other Lake Class 31 lakes in the Walker Area include Bowen (DOW# 11-0350), Five Point (DOW# 11-0351), Little Webb (DOW# 11-0387), and Sanborn (DOW# 11-0361). The purpose of this survey was to assess the status of gamefish populations. Black Crappie and Bluegill are the highlights for anglers looking to fish Welch Lake. The Black Crappie gill net catch rate exceeded the management goal of one to two fish per net. Black Crappie averaged six inches long and lengths ranged from 4 to 14 inches. A strong 2019 year-class should provide excellent angling opportunities by 2023. Bluegill numbers increased since 2015, though the trap net catch rate of seven fish per net was below management goal of 10 to 20 per net. Bluegill averaged four inches in length and lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches. Northern Pike were abundant. The Northern Pike gill net catch rate increased to near 15 fish per net, which exceeded the management goal of 6 to 10 fish per net. Northern Pike averaged 19 inches long and lengths ranged from 13 to 23 inches. Over 95 percent of the Northern Pike in the sample were less than 22 inches long. Walleyes were moderately abundant. The Walleye gill net catch rate was just over two fish per net which was within the management goal of 2 to 4 fish per net. Walleye averaged 18 inches long and lengths ranged from 11 to 21 inches. Yellow Perch numbers remained near historic lows. The Yellow Perch gill net catch rate of slightly higher than one fish per net was well below the management goal of 20 to 40 fish per net. Yellow Perch are the main forage fish for Walleye. The low Yellow Perch numbers may be limiting the success of Walleye stocking. The evaluation of Walleye stocking success in Welsh Lake is ongoing. The evaluation of non-stocked years cannot be done with any certainty because fry are stocked into either Cooked or Welsh lakes annually. In order to evaluate stocked versus non-stocked years, stocking should be done in both lakes every other year in the same years. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock 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. No aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Welch 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.

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

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

Welch has a maximum depth of 59 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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