Heron (South Heron)

South Heron Lake is a 2,845-acre lake located 2 miles northwest of the City of Lakefield. Heron Lake is a designated wildlife lake, therefore it is managed primarily for wildlife such as waterfowl, furbearers, and other game and non-game species. Water levels are typically lowered during the fall to encourage winterkill of undesirable fish species such as Common Carp and Black Bullheads because they destroy aquatic vegetation which is important for waterfowl. A rotenone rehabilitation project was done during the winter of 1997-1998 to decimate fish populations; however, this effort was not as successful as desired. Because this is a designated wildlife lake that is prone to frequent winterkills because of water level manipulation, fisheries management is focused on providing a "boom or bust" fishery that is predator heavy for control of rough fish populations. From a fisheries perspective, Heron Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and secondarily for Walleye and Yellow Perch. Northern Pike fry were stocked in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Walleye fry are stocked if there is a surplus available and have been stocked annually beginning in 2021. A fisheries survey was conducted the week of May 22, 2023 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and 10 trap nets. Since 1994, Northern Pike catch rates have exceeded 22.0 per gill net and have averaged 13.9 per gill net since 1987. The 2023 catch rate was significantly lower than historic catches at 1.3 per gill net but was still within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 7.8 per gill net). Northern Pike fry were stocked in 2021 and 2022; however, based on the 2023 catch rate the stockings appear to have been unsuccessful. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 13.5 to 26.0 inches and averaged 18.3 inches. Northern Pike will continue to be stocked when available. Be aware that there are zonal regulations for Northern Pike. In order to harvest a Northern Pike in southern Minnesota the fish must be over 24 inches with a limit of 2 fish. Walleye catch rates have been extremely high in South Heron Lake since 2011 (27.0 per gill net in 2011; 34.0 per gill net in 2017). In 2023, the Walleye catch rate was 13.3 per gill net which is above the long-term average of 11.4 per gill net and is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.2 to 15.3 per gill net). Lengths of Walleye ranged from 6.7 to 18.9 inches and averaged 9.4 inches. All of the Walleye were from the 2022 stocking (age-1), except for one age-2 Walleye. Age-1 walleyes ranged from 6.7 to 10.4 inches in length and averaged 9.1 inches, indicating fast growth. If growth continues to be fast, Walleye could be to a harvestable size in a year or two. Yellow Perch catch rates have varied from 1.7 per gill net in 1991 to 80.2 per gill net in 1993 and have averaged 37.2 per gill net since 1987. In 2023, the South Heron Lake catch rate was 31.7 per gill net which exceeds the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.0 to 22.5 per gill net). Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 4.9 to 9.6 inches and averaged 5.8 inches. Ninety-six percent of Yellow Perch captured were from one year class and were less than 6.3 inches in length. Yellow perch were plump suggesting that they will grow fast and should be harvestable in a couple of years. Black Bullhead abundance remained below the long-term average of 60.6 per gill net, as it was 44.3 per gill net in 2023. Black Bullhead lengths ranged from 3.9 to 11.1 inches and averaged 6.4 inches. Common Carp abundance remained above the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.5 to 9.1 per gill net) at 10.0 per gill net in 2023. The Bigmouth Buffalo catch rate in 2023 was 16.3 per gill net, exceeding the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.3 to 6.1 per gill net). Other species sampled included Black Crappie, Common Shiner, Orangespotted Sunfish, Tadpole Madtom, and White Sucker.

South Heron Lake is a 2,845-acre lake located two miles northwest of the City of Lakefield in Jackson County. Heron Lake is a designated wildlife lake, therefore it is managed primarily for wildlife such as waterfowl, furbearers, and other game and non-game species. Historically, drawdowns were used to encourage winterkill of undesirable fish species (Fathead Minnow, Common Carp, and Black Bullhead); however, drawdowns have not occurred for decades due to the dam gate being inoperable, weather patterns in combination of a large drainage area. The new Heron Lake Management Plan, approved in December 2021, includes the stocking of predator fish (Walleye and Northern Pike) as an additional tool to control undesirable fish species. This survey served two purposes, 1) to determine the extent of the winterkill that occurred during the winter of 2020-2021, as several reports of dead fish were received after ice-out in the spring of 2021, and 2) to document the fish community that was present when the new Heron Lake Management plan was adopted. A targeted survey was conducted the week of May 12, 2021 using a gill net and two trap nets. Water levels at the time of the survey were still extremely low due to drought conditions and therefore limited areas were conducive to netting. In 2021, the Northern Pike catch rate was 7.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 7.8 per gill net). Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 11.9 to 31.9 inches and averaged 26.0 inches. Northern Pike fry (about 160,000) were stocked in the spring of 2021 to supplement the existing population. The Walleye catch rate was 5.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.2 to 15.3 per gill net). Lengths of Walleye ranged from 13.6 to 21.4 inches and averaged 18.2 inches. South Heron Lake is stocked with Walleye when surplus fry are available. South Heron Lake was stocked with 1.4 million Walleye fry in the spring of 2021. The Yellow Perch catch rate was 8.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.0 to 22.5 per gill net). Lengths of Yellow Perch ranged from 6.3 to 10.1 inches and averaged 7.9 inches. Yellow Perch are not stocked because they maintain the population through natural reproduction or through upstream lake sources in Nobles and Murray County. While reports of dead fish were received in the spring of 2021, it appears that the partial winterkill in South Heron Lake was minimal, as several species of fish were sampled in addition to the management species discussed above. Other species sampled included Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Yellow Bullhead, and Tadpole Madtom.

South Heron Lake is a 2,845-acre lake located 2 miles northwest of the City of Lakefield. Heron Lake is a designated wildlife lake, therefore it is managed primarily for wildlife such as waterfowl, furbearers, and other game and non-game species. Water levels are typically lowered during the fall to encourage winterkill of undesirable fish species such as Common Carp and Black Bullheads because they destroy aquatic vegetation which is important for waterfowl. A rotenone rehabilitation project was done during the winter of 1997-1998 to decimate fish populations; however, this effort was not as successful as desired. Because this is a designated wildlife lake that is prone to frequent winterkills because of water level manipulation, fisheries management is focused on providing a "boom or bust" fishery that is predator heavy for control of rough fish populations. The species that are stocked is for the purpose of controlling non-desirable species such as fathead minnows and common carp. Heron Lake may provide some benefit to anglers and at the same time help in controlling rough fish that cause turbidity and inhibits aquatic vegetation from thriving. From a fisheries perspective, Heron Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and secondarily for Walleye and Yellow Perch. Northern Pike fry were stocked in 2014 and 2016. Walleye fry are stocked if there is a surplus available and have been stocked annually since 2011. A fisheries survey was conducted the week of May 22, 2017 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and 11 trap nets. The 2017 Northern Pike catch rate was 24.0 per gill net, similar to the 2011 catch rate of 27.0 per gill net, and greatly exceeding the expected catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 7.8 per gill net). Northern Pike lengths ranged from 15.0 to 29.1 inches and averaged 18.4 inches. Growth of Northern Pike is fast, as the abundant 16 to 20 inch pike were likely from the 2016 stocking (age-1). Anglers reported excellent Northern Pike fishing during the fall of 2017 and the winter of 2017-2018. The catch rate of Walleye in 2017 was 34.0 per gill net, an increase from the 2011 catch rate of 27.0 per gill net, and greatly exceeding the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.2 to 15.3 per gill net). Lengths of Walleye ranged from 8.4 to 19.3 inches and averaged 10.4 inches, with 96 percent of the Walleye sampled being between 8.0 to 12.0 inches, which were age-1 fish (2016 stocking). The four larger Walleye (18-19 inches) were age-3, corresponding to the 2014 stocking. Growth was very fast as mean length at age-3 was 18.3 inches. Anglers reported excellent Walleye fishing during the fall of 2017 and the winter of 2017-2018. If the strong 2016 year class can survive the winter, Walleye angling should continue to be excellent on Heron Lake. Yellow Perch were captured at a rate of 41.7 per gill net, which exceeds the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.0 to 22.5 per gill net). Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 4.8 to 11.7 inches and averaged 6.2 inches. Yellow Perch are self-sustaining in Heron Lake. The Black Bullhead catch rate in 2017 was 60.3 per gill net, which is similar to the long term average of 63.3 per gill net since 1987. Black Bullhead lengths ranged from 3.9 to 10.8 inches and averaged 6.3 inches. Bigmouth Buffalo were captured at a rate of 9.7 per gill net, exceeding the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.3 to 6.1 per gill net). Lengths of Bigmouth Buffalo ranged from 4.5 to 30.7 inches and averaged 18.5 inches. The largest buffalo sampled was nearly 20 pounds. Common Carp catch rates were 10.3 per gill net and 15.2 per trap net, exceeding the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes for both gears (0.5 to 9.1 per gill net; 0.7 to 5.1 per trap net). Common Carp lengths ranged from 9.1 to 33.2 inches and averaged 20.4 inches. The largest carp sampled was nearly 27.0 pounds. The current water level drawdown management tool doesn't appear to be controlling rough fish populations in Heron Lake. Other species sampled include Creek Chub, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, Black Crappie, and Yellow Bullhead.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Green Sunfish in Heron (South Heron). See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Heron (South Heron). Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Heron (South Heron) has a maximum depth of 5 feet and a mean depth of 3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Heron (South Heron) is from 2023.

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