Fish

Fish Lake is a 506-acre shallow impoundment on the Ann River in southern Kanabec County located four miles south of Mora and is within the Snake River Watershed. The lake has a maximum depth of 8 feet and an average depth of 5 feet. The lake is 100% littoral (15 feet or less, 506 acres). Water clarity is poor with Secchi depths between 2 and 3 feet. Its color is green and brown due to algae and suspended sediment. The main inlet is the Ann River on the northwest shore, while the only outlet is the Ann River on the northeast shore. Two other smaller inlets are present, Tosher Creek on the western shore, and an unnamed tributary from Devils Lake on the southwest shore. The most recent aquatic vegetation survey showed that vegetation is dense and grows to a depth of 6 feet. Coontail and White Waterlily were the most frequently sampled species. Curly Leaf Pondweed, a non-native invasive species, was observed at 38% of locations sampled. Substrates consist primarily of sand (65%), muck (34%), and gravel (1%). The southern and western shores of the lake are highly developed with approximately 115 homes and 2 RV Resorts. Fish Lake has two state-owned public water accesses. One on the southwestern shore off County Road 14 that accommodates 7 vehicles with trailers. The other one is on the northeastern shore to the east of MN Highway 65 and accommodates 8 vehicles with trailers. Walleye fry were stocked into Fish Lake on May 3, 2025. A total of 251,500 fry or 500 per littoral acre (depths less than 15 feet, 503 acres) were stocked. This quantity of fry are stocked in odd numbered years. The fry were LMS (Lower Mississippi Strain), a local genetic strain sourced from the Knife River in April 2025. Fish Lake was electrofished on the night of October 13, 2025, to evaluate the relative abundance of juvenile Walleyes. The water temperature was 58°F. Nine 10-minute stations were sampled. These stations were established in the fall of 2025 to conform with standardized statewide protocols. The 2025 age-0 walleye catch rate of 77/hour in 2025 was similar to the lake average of 75/hr. The average catch rate of LMS stocked years is 84/hour, while the average of non-LMS stocked years is 60/hour. Age-0 Walleye ranged from 6.0 to 8.9 inches in length with a 7.2-inch average. The possibility of natural Walleye reproduction makes the fry stockings contribution to the Walleye year classes unknown.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Hinckley fisheries staff on Fish Lake on July 7, 2025. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brook Silverside, Central Mudminnow, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Greater Redhorse, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Log Perch, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Shorthead Redhorse, Smallmouth Bass, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, Trout Perch, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. The nearshore survey data is combined with standard gill and trap netting survey data from previous Fish Lake surveys to calculate a Fish IBI (FIBI) score and helps assess aquatic life in Fish Lake. The FIBI score for Fish Lake based on this survey is above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Fish Lake is a 506-acre shallow impoundment on the Ann River in southern Kanabec County located four miles south of Mora and is within the Snake River Watershed. The lake has a maximum depth of 8 feet and an average depth of 5 feet. The lake is 100% littoral (15 feet or less, 506 acres). Water clarity is poor with Secchi depths between 2 and 3 feet. Its color is green and brown due to algae and suspended sediment. The main inlet is the Ann River on the northwest shore, while the only outlet is the Ann River on the northeast shore. The most recent aquatic vegetation survey showed that vegetation is dense and grows to a depth of 6 feet. Substrates consist primarily of sand (65%), muck (34%), and gravel (1%). The southern and western shores of the lake are highly developed with approximately 115 homes and 2 RV Resorts. Fish Lake has two state-owned public water accesses. One on the southwestern shore off County Road 14 that accommodates 7 vehicles with trailers. The other one is on the northeastern shore to the east of MN Highway 65 and accommodates 8 vehicles with trailers. There have been a total of 13 fish surveys completed to monitor for changes in species composition, number, and length distribution. Gamefish species best suited to Fish Lake include Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass. Anglers fishing Fish Lake can expect average numbers of most species with good size structure. In 2025, the gill net catch rate was 0.8 fish/net which compares to the average of 2.1/net. Past catch rates ranged from 0.3 fish/net in 1963 to 6.0 per net in 1982. Lengths ranged from 12.1 to 27.0 inches and averaged 20.6 inches. This population has an above average proportion of fish over 15 inches. Walleye over 20 inches have been sampled in 7 of the past 8 surveys. Ages from otoliths estimated sampled fish were 2, 4, 5, 6, and 9, and were represented similarly. Despite lower gill net catches, Walleye recruitment in Fish Lake seems to be good. Overall, anglers can expect to catch average numbers of 15-20 inch Walleyes with a chance of catching one over 20 inches. A total of 15 Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets in 2025 which resulted in a catch rate of 2.5/net. This compares to the average of 3.7/net. Past catch rates ranged from 0.5/net in 1992 to 10.8/net in 2012. Research indicates pike catch rates over 7.5/net are undesirable, as they are usually associated with higher density populations having poor size structure and slow growth. Higher pike densities can also have detrimental effects on stocked Walleye survival and perch populations. Pike catch rates only exceeded 7.5/net in 2 of 13 surveys, which is fortunate. Lengths of pike caught in 2025 ranged from 19.0 to 28.3 inches and averaged 24.4 inches. Pike over 28 inches have been sampled in seven of the last eight surveys. This pike population has a higher proportion of fish over 21 inches. Overall, anglers can expect to catch lower numbers of average sized pike with a chance of catching one over 28 inches. The 2025 gill net catch rate for Channel Catfish was 2.0/net and compares to the average of 1.8/net. Past catch rates ranged from 0.2/net in 1950 to 4.7/net in 2017. Sizes of Channel Catfish can be impressive in Fish Lake. Lengths ranged from 20.3 to 28.5 inches and averaged 24.7 inches. Catfish greater than 28 inches have been caught in each of the past 6 surveys and fish over 30 inches have been sampled. Ages for sampled fish were estimated from pectoral spines, and included ages 6 through 10 and age 14, which indicates some recruitment occurs frequently. Ages eight and nine represented over 70 percent of the sampled fish. Overall, anglers can expect to catch lower numbers of quality sized Channel Catfish with a chance of catching one over 28 inches. The Black Crappie gill and trap net catch rates were below average. The gill net catch rate in 2025 was 12.3/net, which compares to the average of 13.4/net. The trap net catch rate was 1.3/net, which compares to the average of 8.4/net. Crappie ranged in length from 3.8 to 11.4 inches and had an average of 8.2 inches for all gears combined. Crappies over ten inches have been sampled in the past eight surveys, while crappie over 12 inches have been sampled in 1 of 13 surveys. This population has an above average proportion of fish over eight and ten inches. Overall, anglers can expect to catch average numbers of 8 to 11 inch crappies. The Bluegill trap net catch rate was 8.6/net and compares to the average of 14.6/net. Past catch rates ranged from 3.3/net in 1992 to 31.8/net in 2002. Lengths ranged from 3.2 to 9.3 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. Bluegills over 8 inches were sampled in each of the past eight surveys. This population has above average proportions of fish over 6 and 8 inches. Overall, anglers can expect to catch lower numbers of 7 to 9 inch Bluegills. Boat electrofishing surveys to evaluate Largemouth Bass relative abundance and size structure was initiated in 1997 and has been conducted during five of the past six surveys. The 2025 catch rate of 21/hour was similar to the average of 22/hour. Lengths of Largemouth Bass in 2025 ranged from 3.2 to 18.4 inches and averaged 10.5 inches. Largemouth Bass over 15 inches have been sampled in all electrofishing surveys, while a bass over 20 inches was sampled in 2007. Fish Lake has average proportions of bass greater than 12 inches and 15 inches. Overall, anglers can expect to catch average numbers of 12 to 15 inch Largemouth Bass. Yellow Perch catch rates were below average in 2025. At total of 30 perch were caught in gill nets for a catch rate of 5.0/net, which compares to the average of 6.1/net. Lengths ranged from 6.1 to 10.5 inches and averaged 8.6 inches. While perch over 8 inches have been sampled in 6 of the last 8 surveys, the current perch population and its average size is likely too low and small to interest most angers. However, perch likely provide an important prey source for many species angler's target. Other species sampled in 2025 included Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Greater Redhorse, Pumpkinseed, Shorthead Redhorse, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Fish has a maximum depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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