Indian

Indian Lake is a small (99 acre) fertile basin located in north-central Douglas County between the towns of Garfield and Leaf Valley. The basin has a maximum depth of 38 feet. Average depth is estimated at 12 feet. Water clarity was moderate (5 feet) at the time of the August survey. A DNR public access is located on the northern shoreline off Indian Lake Road. A standard fisheries survey was completed in August of 2025 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Walleye catches remain low (3.3/gill net) and tended to be large fish, averaging 21.0 inches and 3.7 pounds. Regular Walleye fingerling stockings were discontinued by the MN DNR in 2016 due to extremely poor survival of stocked fingerlings. The current stocking regime prescribes surplus stockings of larger Walleye, when available, to maintain a limited fishery. Largemouth Bass proved to be moderately abundant. Growth rates are well above average with bass reaching 12.0 inches by age 3. Size structure of the electrofishing catch described a quality fishery. Eighty percent of the Largemouth Bass sampled were over 12.0 inches and the largest bass observed was 19.1 inches. Northern Pike continue to be abundant (14.3 fish/gill net). Average size of pike sampled in 2025 was 22.5 inches. The largest pike measured 33.1 inches, though fish of this size are not common. Anglers are reminded that new pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018. Indian Lake is located in the North-Central Zone. Anglers can now keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Harvesting smaller pike will help shift the population back towards larger individuals and reduce the number of predators for young Walleye and other gamefish. Bluegill catch rates (16.4 fish/trap net) were above average for Indian Lake. Age distribution of Bluegill catches extended to age 6, but 61% of captures were age-3 and younger. Consequently, average size was small (5.3 inches). Growth was rapid and did allow some individuals to reach over 9.0 inches. Black Crappie catch rates increased significantly from the previous two surveys. Crappie catches were 37.0 and 12.8 fish/net for gill nets and trap nets, respectively. Black Crappie growth rates are poor; average length of age 4 fish was 7.5 inches. Due to slow growth and an over abundant population, few Black Crappie exceeded 8.0 inches in length. Adult Yellow Perch numbers were modest during the 2025 survey. Yellow Perch are preferred prey of Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. Significant predation likely limits the Yellow Perch population from maintaining a size structure appealing to anglers. Additional species sampled include Golden Shiner, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Brown Bullhead. The next standard fisheries survey is tentatively scheduled for 2035.

Indian Lake is a small (99 acre), fertile basin located in north-central Douglas County between the towns of Garfield and Leaf Valley. The basin has a maximum depth of 38.0 feet. Water clarity was poor (3.5 feet) at time of the August survey. A standardized fish community assessment was completed on Indian Lake, August 17-20, 2015. A combination of three gill nets and nine trap nets were used. The netting component of the survey was preceded with an electrofishing survey to gain estimates of abundance and size structure of the Largemouth Bass population. This survey was completed on May 22, 2015. Largemouth Bass proved to be moderately abundant. Length of bass captures ranged from 11.1 to 18.7 inches. Age distribution of the population sample extended from age 5 to age 11. Due to lack of young bass captures, average size of Largemouth Bass caught during the spring electrofishing survey was 16.0 inches. Old bass grow slowly. Few captures exceeded 18.0 inches in total length. Northern Pike continue to be abundant, but most captures were small with an average length of 21.5 inches. Two 28.0-inch pike were recorded in the gill net catch. Only two Walleyes were caught during the netting survey. This low catch was disappointing given fingerling stocking investments. Survival of stocked Walleye fingerlings and yearlings appeared very poor. Indian Lake supports a fair panfish fishery. Bluegills and Black Crappies are abundant, but growth rates are too slow to optimize fishing potential. Bluegill captures averaged 6.3 inches. The largest caught measured 8.8 inches. These larger fish were eight- or nine-years-old. Black Crappie catches increased in 2015 in response to elevated and fairly consistent natural recruitment in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Another strong year class was established in 2014. Due to the high proportion of young fish making up the population sample and slow growth, few crappie captures exceeded 8.0 inches in length. Cohorts of a strong 2010 year class should approach 10.0 inches in length in 2017. Yellow Perch abundance has declined in Indian Lake. None of the perch measured during the 2015 survey exceeded 8.0 inches, thus the population contributes very little to the recreational fishery. They do constitute a very important food base for predatory gamefishes, namely Northern Pike, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass. Anglers are encouraged to harvest moderate-sized (< 21.0 inches) Northern Pike in an effort to reduce surplus pike densities and improve survival, growth, and yields for other sport fish populations. A DNR public access is located on the northern shoreline of Indian Lake just off of Indian Lake Road.

Indian Lake is a small, mesotrophic (moderately fertile) bass-panfish lake located between the towns of Garfield and Leaf Valley in northern Douglas County. The lake is relatively shallow with the majority of its area being comprised of water less than 15 feet deep. Water clarity is generally good year round and submergent vegetation is quite abundant. This is a relatively peaceful lake that is not highly developed and has minimal angling and recreational pressure. Pressure is typically highest on windy days when anglers seek a calm refuge from adjacent lakes that are larger and more wind swept. Bass and sunfishes are the primary management species in Indian Lake. Walleye and northern pike are species of secondary management importance. The fish community assemblage is typical of most bass-panfish lakes in west-central Minnesota. Largemouth bass are abundant and size structure of this population is good. The largest bass captured during the 2005 electrofishing survey was 19.1 inches with average size being 12.8 inches. Northern pike and bluegill numbers have increased in recent years. Although abundance of these two species is high, their size tends to be relatively small. Black crappie are present but abundance of this species is relatively low. Walleye are also present in low numbers. No walleye were sampled in previous surveys dating back to 1986. However, a fry stocking in 1997 and initiation of biennial fingerling stockings in 2003 have led to the establishment of a limited fishery. Other fish species sampled during the 2005 survey included golden shiner, white sucker, black and brown bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, and yellow perch. Perch numbers have declined substantially in recent years, likely due to the increase in northern pike abundance and the establishment of a limited walleye fishery.

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

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

Indian has a maximum depth of 38 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Indian has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.