Chippewa

Chippewa Lake (also commonly referred to as Big Chippewa Lake) is a 1,185 acre moderately productive basin located northeast of Brandon in Douglas County. This lake is relatively deep with a maximum depth of 95 feet. Mean depth is estimated at 24 feet. Chippewa Lake is located within the Chippewa River watershed and outflows into Devils Lake under Douglas County Road 7. Water quality conditions are excellent and exceed averages of similar Minnesota lakes. Water clarity typically exceeds 10 feet throughout summer months and has increased in recent years following zebra mussel infestation. This lake becomes thermally stratified in summer months and the thermocline is typically located between 20 and 25 feet. Chippewa Lake contains diverse aquatic habitats (islands, shallow rock bars, protected bays, and large expanses of emergent aquatic vegetation) and offers diverse fishing opportunities. Residential development surrounding the lake is considered moderate and is concentrated on the southern half of the basin along the east and west shorelines. Due to the desirable characteristics of the lake, recreational use can be heavy, particularly on weekends and holidays. A small public access with limited parking is located in the northeast corner of the lake. Boaters should be aware of multiple navigation hazards within this basin. These shallow rock areas are marked with hazard buoys. Boaters should also note that access to the series of shallow bays in the southwest corner of the lake can be difficult for larger boats, especially during periods of low water levels. These bays are connected to each other and the main basin via narrow, relatively shallow channels through stands of emergent vegetation. A standard MN DNR lake survey was completed in 2025 to assess the fish community of Chippewa Lake. Walleye abundance remained relatively high due to moderate or strong year classes produced in 2020, 2021, and 2022. These three year classes comprised 68% of the sample. Average size was 16.1 inches and 1.6 pounds. The largest Walleye collected was 24.8 inches. This population is sustained through natural reproduction, but supplemental fry stockings now occur every third year. The Northern Pike population could be described as moderate in terms of both abundance and size structure. Like many lakes in west-central Minnesota, small "hammerhandle" pike tend to dominate this population but larger pike are present. Mean size was 21.7 inches and 2.4 pounds. Multiple pike exceeding 30 inches were sampled, with the largest measuring almost 34 inches. New Northern Pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018 to help improve pike size structure. See https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/northern/zones.html for more information on pike zone regulations. Very few Yellow Perch were captured. Gill net catches of harvestable-size perch substantially declined in the early 2000s and have remained low. Quality panfishing opportunities are available for anglers targeting Bluegill or Black Crappie. Harvestable-size Bluegill, some exceeding 9.0 inches, are available. However, Bluegill abundance has substantially increased in recent years and the current population is dominated by younger, smaller fish. Mean lengths of the trap net and gill net samples were just 4.8 and 5.4 inches, respectively. Harvestable-size Black Crappie are also available. This species can be difficult to sample during summer months and too few crappie were sampled in 2025 to accurately describe this population. Largemouth Bass are abundant. Size structure of this population peaked in the mid- to late-2000s. Larger bass, some exceeding 18.0 inches in length, are still present but smaller fish comprise much of this population. Average length of bass sampled during spring electrofishing efforts was 11.9 inches. Other species sampled during the 2025 survey included Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (Dogfish), Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead. Rock Bass were particularly abundant (10.3 fish/gill net). The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2029, and a targeted gill net survey is scheduled for 2027. Chippewa Lake is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels. Adult zebra mussels were first confirmed in 2017. See https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/index.html for more information regarding aquatic invasive species.

A targeted gill net survey was conducted during summer 2023 to assess the Walleye population. Data from this survey will contribute to a statewide study examining the impacts of zebra mussels on Walleye populations. Gill net catches averaged 8.7 fish/net. The length range of Walleyes sampled was 7.6 to 25.6 inches. Mean size was 14.6 inches and 1.2 pounds. Nine year classes were represented, and it appears that Walleye reproduction and recruitment have been good in recent years. Almost 77% of the Walleyes sampled were age 3 or younger. The 2020 year class was particularly strong.

Chippewa Lake (also commonly referred to as Big Chippewa Lake) is a 1,175 acre, moderately productive basin located northeast of Brandon in Douglas County. This lake is relatively deep with a maximum depth of 95 feet. Mean depth is estimated at 24 feet. Chippewa Lake is located within the Chippewa River watershed. Primary inflows come from Whiskey Lake to the south. The major outlet is located along the southwest shoreline and flows into Devils Lake under Douglas County Road 7. Water quality conditions are excellent and exceed averages of similar Minnesota lakes. Water clarity typically exceeds 10 feet throughout summer months and has increased in recent years following zebra mussel infestation. This lake becomes thermally stratified in summer months and the thermocline is typically located between 20 and 25 feet. As a result of stratification, dissolved oxygen levels during the 2021 survey were too low below 24 feet to support most gamefish species. Chippewa Lake contains diverse aquatic habitats (islands, shallow rock bars, protected bays, and large expanses of emergent aquatic vegetation) and offers diverse fishing opportunities. Residential development surrounding the lake is considered moderate and is concentrated on the southern half of the basin along the east and west shorelines. Due to the desirable characteristics of the lake, recreational uses can be heavy, particularly on weekends and holidays. A small public access with limited parking is located in the northeast corner of the lake. Boaters should be aware of multiple navigation hazards within this basin. These shallow rock areas are marked with hazard buoys. Boaters should also note that access to the series of shallow bays in the southwest corner of the lake can be difficult for larger boats, especially during periods of low water levels. These bays are connected to each other and the main basin via narrow, relatively shallow channels through stands of emergent vegetation. A standard MN DNR lake survey was completed in 2021 to assess the fish community of Chippewa Lake. Walleye abundance has improved in recent years due to an exceptionally strong year class produced in 2020. Strong year classes were also produced in 2018 and 2021. Gill net catches averaged 10.0 Walleye/gill net and almost 70% of the sample was age 3 or younger. Average size was just 14.0 inches and 1.2 pounds. Size structure will improve as the 2020 year class moves through the recreational fishery. The largest Walleye sampled was 28.3 inches in length. This population is sustained through natural reproduction, but supplemental fry stockings occur on an alternate year basis. The Northern Pike population exhibited moderate abundance and poor size structure. Similar to many lakes in west-central Minnesota, small "hammerhandle" pike dominated the population. Mean length was just 19.9 inches and only one pike exceeding 30.0 inches was sampled. New Northern Pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018 to help improve pike size structure. Chippewa 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. Very few Yellow Perch were captured. Gill net catches of harvestable-size perch substantially declined in the early 2000s and have remained low. Quality panfishing opportunities are available for anglers targeting Bluegill or Black Crappie. Bluegill abundance and size structure has decreased in recent years but harvestable-size fish, some exceeding 9.0 inches in length, are available. Harvestable-size Black Crappie are also available. Crappie abundance can be highly variable due to the "boom or bust" nature of this species. Population characteristics in 2021 were indicative of a "boom", as abundance and size structure were both considered high. Largemouth Bass are abundant. Size structure of this population peaked in the mid- to late-2000s. Larger bass, some exceeding 19.0 inches in length, are still present but smaller fish comprise the majority of this population. Average length of bass sampled during spring electrofishing efforts was 13.1 inches. Other species sampled during the 2021 survey included Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), and White Sucker. The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2025. Chippewa Lake is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of zebra mussels. Adult zebra mussels were first confirmed in 2017. Regulations restricting bait harvest and transport of water apply to this basin. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.

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

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

Chippewa has a maximum depth of 95 feet and a mean depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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