Round

Round Lake is a 930-acre lake, located in Jackson County approximately 9 miles southeast of the City of Worthington. Round Lake was part of a research project that evaluated the performance of two strains of Walleye, the Lower Mississippi Strain (LMS) and the Mississippi Strain (MIS), from 2018 to 2022. However, during 2020, no Walleye stocking statewide was done due to the COVID pandemic. During the study stocking events, the total Walleye fry quota for Round Lake was 473,500, of which half were MIS and half were LMS. The MIS Walleye come from northern Minnesota (Pine River egg-take near Brainerd) and until recently, were the majority strain stocked in Windom management area. The LMS originated in the Cannon River system, was stocked in area lakes in the 1980's and early 1990's and has persisted in some area Walleye populations despite extensive stocking of northern Minnesota strains of Walleye. LMS Walleye are present in Murray County's Lake Sarah (1 of 3 LMS egg-take locations, others in Waterville area and Hinkley Area), a lake that hasn't been stocked since 1991 because the Walleye population is sustained at high levels through natural reproduction. The study found that LMS Walleye performed better than MIS and thus would be stocked exclusively into Round Lake moving forward. To continue to evaluate LMS Walleye fry stocking in 2025-night electrofishing was on October 7, 2025. Two hours of electrofishing was utilized so that the data could be incorporated into a continuing statewide study of Walleye lakes with and without zebra mussels (Round Lake is without zebra mussels). 256,000 LMS Walleye fry were stocked in Round Lake in 2025, half the amount stocked during the LMS vs. MIS study. This reduction is a result of LMS advantage found during the study on Round Lake and the lack of MIS Walleye that were found in sampling. Essentially, we discovered we could stock half the amount of Walleye fry than historically done and realize a similar outcome, if not better, with LMS strain Walleye. 213 age-0 Walleye were captured during 2.0 hours of electrofishing (106.2 per hour). Walleye ranged in length from 4.2 to 8.1 inches and averaged 5.7 inches. A night electrofishing catch rate greater than 30 per hour with fish larger than 5 inches is a good indication that the stocking was successful, and the fish have a high likelihood of getting to 13 inches or greater (harvestable size). Overall, the Walleye population is doing well on Round Lake and continued LMS fry stocking will help to boost the potential of the population. Down the road, if natural reproduction is consistent and strong, the Walleye population of Round Lake may be like Lake Sarah in that stocking will not be necessary or allow reduction in frequency or density.

Round Lake is a 1,024-acre lake located in Jackson County approximately two miles to the northeast of the City of Round Lake. Round Lake has a mean depth of 8.0 feet, and a maximum of 9.0 feet in typical years with more normal precipitation. The last several years Windom Fisheries staff have observed and have received calls from lakeshore owners and anglers about increasing submergent aquatic vegetation. What is interesting is that the primarily Sago Pondweed is quite abundant until July and quickly recedes or washes up on shore. Walleye are the primary management species, along with Black Crappie and Yellow Perch secondarily managed in Round Lake. Walleye have been stocked annually since 2018 (not stocked in 2020 due to COVID work shutdown). Sporadic natural reproduction occurs in Round Lake, thus LMS Walleye have been stocked because anecdotal evidence suggests that they may have a survival advantage and natural reproduction potential in southern Minnesota lakes. Black Crappie and Yellow Perch typically sustain themselves through natural reproduction provided conditions and habitat are suitable. A standard survey was conducted during the week of August 18, 2025 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and 12 trap nets. Since 1983, Walleye catch rates have averaged 15.4 per gill net (excluding the 2005 catch rate of 152.5 per gill net). Prior to the 2025 survey, catch rates have varied from 7.7 per gill net in 2013 to 29.2 per gill net in 1994. In 2025, the lowest Walleye gill net catch rate during a survey was observed at 4.0 per net. The catch rate of 4.0 per gill net was within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.3 to 18.1 per gill net) but did not reach the management goal of 10.0 per gill net. Total lengths of Walleye ranged from 13.5 to 27.0 inches and averaged 20.5 inches. Age-3 Walleye were the most common year classes sampled, accounting for 69 percent of aged Walleye. Growth was fast when compared to other Walleye populations as mean length of age-3 Walleye was 16.0 inches. Condition of Walleye was poor (Wr=83), suggesting that competition for prey may be occurring in Round Lake. Stocking effectiveness and natural reproduction have been limited in recent years as only three-year classes of Walleye were sampled in the standard survey; however, fall electrofishing for young-of-the-year Walleye in 2025 resulted in a catch rate of 106.2 per hour, likely the result of fry stocking and/or natural reproduction. Walleye fingerlings averaged 5.7 inches in length and should be a strong year class if they survive the winter. Black Crappie in Round Lake are a classic example of the cyclical nature that is common in crappie populations, where years of high catch rates, typically from a strong year class that is produced when conditions are right, are followed by years of lower catch rates (years where harvest or natural mortality has decimated the once strong year classes). Black Crappie catch rates had steadily increased from 1.3 per trap net in 2009, with a strong year class produced in the early 2020's resulting in catch rates of 36.8 and 53.4 per trap net in 2021 and 2023, respectively. In 2025, the catch rate decreased to 2.3 per trap net, which is near the lower end of expected catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 per trap net). Lengths of Black Crappie ranged from 2.1 to 13.5 inches and averaged 8.5 inches. The management goal was met because the 2025 Black Crappie catch rate was within the desired range of catch rates (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net). The 2025 Yellow Perch catch rate was 7.0 per gill net, a decrease from 79.7 per gill net in 2023, but within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Two-year classes of Yellow Perch were sampled (age-1 and age-3), with age-3 Yellow Perch comprising 92 percent of aged fish. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 6.4 to 11.1 inches and averaged 10.2 inches. The management goal was met because the catch rate was within the desired range of catch rates. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate was 1.7 per gill net, greater than the long-term average of 1.2 per gill net and within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.1 to 8.0 per gill net). Round Lake has consistently maintained a low abundance Northern Pike population through natural reproduction, as it has not been stocked with Northern Pike since 1984. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 16.1 to 34.3 inches and averaged 23.2 inches. Thirty-one percent of sampled Northern Pike exceeded the minimum size limit for harvest of 24.0 inches in length. The White Bass catch rate decreased from 32.3 per gill net in 2021 to 18.7 per gill net in 2023 to 3.3 per trap net in 2025 and was within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.3 to 9.9 per gill net. White Bass lengths ranged from 5.0 to 17.2 inches and averaged 15.4 inches. Common Carp catch rates were 3.0 per gill net and 2.4 per trap net. Common Carp ranged in length from 16.4 to 31.9 inches and averaged 21.3 inches. One Black Bullhead was sampled in the survey. Other species sampled included Bigmouth Buffalo, Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, White Crappie, and White Sucker.

Round Lake is a 930-acre lake, located in Jackson County approximately 9 miles southeast of the city of Worthington. Round Lake was part of a research project that evaluated the performance of two strains of Walleye, the Lower Mississippi Strain (LMS) and the Mississippi Strain (MIS), from 2018 to 2022. However, during 2020, no Walleye stocking statewide was done due to the COVID pandemic. During the study stocking events, the total Walleye fry quota for Round Lake was 473,500, of which half were MIS and half were LMS. The MIS Walleye come from northern Minnesota (Pine River egg-take near Brainerd) and until recently, were the majority strain stocked in Windom management area. The LMS originated in the Cannon River system, was stocked in area lakes in the 1980's and early 1990's and has persisted in some area Walleye populations despite extensive stocking of northern Minnesota strains of Walleye. LMS Walleye are present in Murray County's Lake Sarah (1 of 3 LMS egg-take locations, others in Waterville area and Hinkley Area), a lake that hasn't been stocked since 1991 because the Walleye population is sustained at high levels through natural reproduction. The study found that LMS Walleye performed better than MIS and thus would be stocked exclusively into Round Lake moving forward. To continue to evaluate LMS Walleye fry stocking in 2023-night electrofishing was on 10 October 2023. Two hours of electrofishing was utilized so that the data could be incorporated into a continuing statewide study of Walleye lakes with and without zebra mussels (Round Lake is without zebra mussels). Only 236,750 LMS Walleye fry were stocked in Round Lake in 2024, half the amount stocked during the LMS vs. MIS study. This reduction is a result of LMS advantage found during the study on Round Lake and the lack of MIS Walleye that were found in sampling. Essentially, we discovered we could stock half the amount of Walleye fry than historically done and realize a similar outcome, if not better, with LMS strain Walleye. Eighty-nine age-0 Walleye were captured during 1.8 hours of electrofishing (49.0 per hour). Walleye ranged in length from 4.2 to 6.7 inches and averaged 5.3 inches. A night electrofishing catch rate greater than 30 per hour with fish larger than 5 inches is a good indication that the stocking was successful, and the fish have a high likelihood of getting to 13 inches or greater (harvestable size). Overall, the Walleye population is doing well on Round Lake and continued LMS fry stocking will help to boost the potential of the population. Down the road, if natural reproduction is consistent and strong, the Walleye population of Round Lake may be similar to Lake Sarah in that stocking will not be necessary. Additional sampling utilizing gill nets and trap nets will occur in 2025 and should help to determine the overall contribution of the 2024 year class to the overall population.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, and Walleye in Round. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Round has a maximum depth of 9 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Round has confirmed bighead carp and silver carp. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.