Elk

Elk Lake is a 207-acre lake located two miles north of Hoffman in Grant County. Average and maximum depth are 15 and 29 feet, respectively. Water clarity was 7.5 feet during the survey. City-owned beach and campground facilities are located on the south shore next to the public access. Because of this it is a popular recreational lake that can become busy during the summer. Elk is primarily managed for its Walleye fishery and the Walleye abundance is high (14.7/gill net) when compared to similar lakes, or recent surveys. Analysis has shown that the Walleye population is primarily driven by natural reproduction. Most of the Walleye sampled were young, with lengths under 15 inches. However, growth is fast, with fish reaching 16.2 inches by age 3. Most fish should be harvestable size with one more year of growth. Average and maximum length were 16.0 and 27.5 inches, respectively. Bluegill are currently very abundant (106.1/trap net), significantly higher than recent surveys, but so far this has not negatively affected growth. Even though most Bluegill were young, over 39% of fish sampled in trap nets exceeded 7 inches. Average and maximum length were 6.4 and 8.5 inches, respectively. If growth continues at this rate, Elk Lake should provide excellent fishing opportunity for Bluegills over the next several years Elk Lake supports a healthy Largemouth Bass population in terms of both size and numbers. The bass catch rate (96.7/ hour) increased from the 2015 survey. In addition, the size structure continues to be impressive, with 75% of bass exceeding 15 inches. Average length was 15.3 inches and the largest bass sampled was 19.9 inches. Yellow Perch abundance (5.8/gill net) was below the long term average (32.8/gill net), but this has not affected growth of predators that consume perch. Perch were not sampled at lengths that would be of interest to anglers, ranging from 5.7 to 8.1 inches. Few Black Crappie or Northern Pike were sampled, but neither species has been abundant in any recent survey. Other species sampled were Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

Elk Lake is a 207-acre lake located two miles north of Hoffman in Grant County. Maximum depth is 29.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 15.0 feet. It's a very popular recreational lake that fully supports fishing and swimming. City-owned beach and campground facilities are located on the south shore next to the public access. Water clarity is relatively good compared to other lakes in Grant County, with average transparency measurements approaching 7.0 feet during summer months. The lake can become busy, particularly on weekends. Primary fish management emphasis is directed at sustaining a Walleye fishery. Walleye fingerlings are stocked in even-numbered years to supplement the population. Walleye catches during the 2015 survey averaged 4.7-fish/gill net. Captures averaged 15.0 inches in length. The largest Walleye measured during the survey was 26.1 inches. Elk Lake does not support many Northern Pike. Only one capture was documented in 2015. This fish measured 24.5 inches. Largemouth Bass currently offer the best angling opportunities in Elk Lake. Electrofishing catch rates in the spring of 2015 were 50/hour. Age distribution of captures extended to age 12. Due to fast growth, 57% of captures were 15.0 inches and larger. The largest bass caught measured 18.9 inches. Other sunfishes captured during the survey included Black Crappies, Bluegills, Green Sunfish, and Hybrid Sunfishes. Fishing quality at time of the 2015 survey was degraded by the lack of older sunfishes. Bluegill catches were good at 20.1-fish/trap net, but none of the captures exceeded age 4. Most of the catch was comprised of two-year-old Bluegill. One 8.5-inch Bluegill was measured, but average size of the population sample was 5.8 inches. Black Crappie catches were modest and young. Age distribution of the crappie catch did not extend beyond age 2. Only one 9.0-inch crappie was measured. Sunfishes grow fast in Elk Lake, so fishing quality should improve with additional recruitment and a broader age distribution. Yellow Perch catches were good. This important prey population supports good growth of predator gamefishes, but most perch are too small to contribute to the fishery. Average size captured in gill nets was 6.3 inches. Very few Black, Yellow, or Brown Bullheads were captured in 2015. No Common Carp have been captured during the two most recent surveys.

Elk Lake is a 190-acre basin located near Hoffman in Grant County. It is the most heavily used recreational lake in Grant County during summer months. Boat traffic can be extremely high, especially during weekend days. The major draw for recreational boaters is good water quality. The long-term average for Secchi disk measurements exceeds 7.0 feet. The lake fully supports swimming. A city beach and campground are located near the public access on the southwest shore. Anglers can expect good quality fishing opportunities on Elk Lake. Walleye catches averaged 7.5 fish/gillnet. Approximately 28% of sampled fish exceeded 20.0 inches in length. Two percent of walleye captures exceeded 25.0 inches. Walleye grow fast in Elk Lake. Most reach 16.0 inches after three growing seasons. Northern pike are not abundant. The 2009 catch rate of 2.0 fish/gillnet was the highest recorded catch rate for Elk Lake. Average length of captured pike was 25.0 inches. The largest fish measured 31.9 inches. Bluegill abundance has increased in response to better water clarity and expanded vegetated habitat. Trapnet catches averaged 11.0 fish/net. The population was dominated by age-3 and age-4 fish. Average length of sampled fish was 6.2 inches. No captures exceeded 8.0 inches. Bluegill growth rates are good with age-4 fish averaging 5.5 inches in length. Largemouth bass are abundant. Average size was 14.9 inches in length and 1.9 pounds. Five- and seven-year-old individuals comprised most captures. Fishing quality, in terms of average size of bass, should continue to improve in coming years.

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

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

Elk has a maximum depth of 29 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Elk is from 2021.

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