Christmas

Christmas Lake is 267 acres, with a maximum depth of 87 feet. It is located southeast of the City of Excelsior, in southwestern Hennepin County. Public access is provided by a city-owned boat ramp located on the northwestern shore. Christmas Lake is a unique metro lake with exceptionally clear water and abundant summer dissolved oxygen. Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels are present in Christmas Lake. Past management of Christmas Lake focused on establishing a put-and-take trout fishery. Since discontinuation of trout stocking after May 2016, Christmas Lake management has shifted towards Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass and Bluegill fisheries. A Standard Survey was conducted during the summer of 2023 to assess fish populations. Northern Pike numbers were high, with 7.2 fish per gill net sampled in 2023. Pike averaged 22.4 inches, with the largest measured at 34.6 inches. The Northern Pike population in Christmas Lake could benefit from the Northern Pike north-central zone regulation that took effect in 2018, where 10 fish may be kept, but not more than 2 over 26" and all fish from 22-26" must be immediately released. Sixty-nine percent of pike sampled were outside of the protected slot. Largemouth Bass sampling was not conducted in 2023. Five bass were incidentally sampled in the gill nets and trap nets, ranging in length from 5.3 to 14.4 inches. When bass electrofishing was previously conducted, in 2018, the fish were abundant, and size ranged between 10.3 and 18.6 inches. Bluegill abundance in Christmas Lake was high, with 61.7 fish per trap net sampled. Bluegill averaged 5.9 inches, with the largest measured at 8.6 inches. While there are a lot of small individuals in the population, anglers still have an opportunity to catch fish greater than 8 inches. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Brown Bullhead, Black Crappie, Bowfin, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Yellow Bullhead. No Rainbow Trout were sampled.

Christmas Lake is 267 acres in size, with a maximum depth of 87 feet. It is located southeast of the City of Excelsior, in southwestern Hennepin County. Public access is provided by a city-owned boat ramp located on the northwestern shore. Christmas Lake is a unique metro lake with exceptionally clear water (29 foot visibility) and abundant summer dissolved oxygen. Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels have been found in Christmas Lake and remain present. Past management of Christmas Lake focused on establishing a put-and-take trout fishery. Since discontinuation of trout stocking after May 2016, Christmas Lake management has shifted towards Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. A Standard Survey (trap nets, gill nets, and boat electrofishing) was conducted during the week of 6/25/2018 to assess fish populations. Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2018 with nighttime boat electrofishing, the first time such a survey was conducted here. Catch rates were high, with 80.7 fish/hour. Despite the high numbers, few large fish were sampled. Largemouth Bass averaged 10.3 inches, with the largest measured at 18.6 inches. Over 70% of bass sampled were less than 12 inches. Bluegill abundance in Christmas Lake was high, with 35.8/net. Bluegill averaged 5.9 inches, with the largest measured at 8.5 inches. While much of the Bluegill population was composed of small individuals, anglers are still provided an opportunity to catch fish greater than 8 inches. Northern Pike numbers were high, with 7.2/net. Pike averaged 20.0 inches, with the largest measured at 29.1 inches. Despite smaller sizes, Northern Pike in Christmas Lake stand to benefit from the new Northern Pike regulation (effective 2018), where 10 fish may be kept, but not more than 2 over 26" and all fish from 22-26" must be immediately released. Over 80% of pike sampled were outside of the protected slot. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Bowfin, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead; no rainbow trout were sampled.

Christmas Lake is a 265-acre class 23 lake in Hennepin County. A public boat access is located on the north side of the lake, however parking is limited. Christmas Lake is unique because it is one of the few lakes in the Metro Region that can support a two-story fishery. This means sufficient oxygen levels and cool water temperatures in deeper portions of the lake allow the over-summer survival of cold-water species, while warm-water species inhabit the warmer water above the thermocline. Thus, rainbow trout and occasionally brown trout have been stocked since 1986 to utilize this unique resource. A total of 21 rainbow trout were sampled which represents the highest catch of rainbow trout in Christmas Lake to date. Mean length and weight was 19.5 inches and 3.5 pounds for gill net caught rainbow trout. Bluegill abundance is high for this type of lake. Thirtyfour percent of bluegills are larger than 7 inches and individuals up to 8.2 inches were sampled. Pumpkinseed, hybrid, and green sunfish were also sampled but at considerably lower densities. Northern pike in Christmas Lake are abundant but tend to be small. Average length was 19.6 inches and mean weight was 1.92 pounds. Despite the small average size, 19 percent are longer than 25 inches, which has increased from 5 percent in 2001. Thirteen largemouth bass were sampled representing 5 year classes, ranging from 2 - 7 years old. Mean length was 6.8 inches and mean weight was 0.3 pounds. Although not overly abundant, other species of interest to anglers are black crappie, and yellow perch.

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

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

Christmas has a maximum depth of 87 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Christmas is from 2023.

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