Henderson

A standard survey was conducted on Henderson Lake in mid-June of 2025. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted on May 27, 2025, for post spawn Largemouth Bass. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Henderson is a small (75 acres), deep (57 feet maximum), and low productivity lake (2020 total phosphorus=<0.020 ppm, Chlorophyl-a=3.6 ppb) located in Kandiyohi County. Henderson is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. The water clarity was excellent on June 16, 2025 (secchi=18.5 feet). Dissolved oxygen was above 4.0 ppm down to 45 feet deep on June 16, 2025. Aquatic vegetation densities (Illinois pondweed, flatstem pondweed, sago pondweed, Canada waterweed, water moss, muskgrass and filamentous algae) were low to moderate within the littoral area of the lake during July of 2025. Submergent vegetation densities appeared low during the June trapnetting and gillnetting survey of 2025. Eurasian water milfoil was first documented during 2018 in Henderson. Eurasian water milfoil was present at 80% of the transect sites in 2020, but only 20% in July of 2025. Eurasian milfoil had been chemically spot treated with aquatic herbicide since 2018 in Henderson. Algae blooms (Oscillatoria rubescens) with a brown/red color have occasionally occurred in past years during the fall or spring turnover periods. Emergent vegetation is limited to a few small stands of hardstem bulrush along the west shore and cattails along the west bay area. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, gravel, boulder, silt and rubble. The lake is highly developed (51 homes, 2020 survey). The immediate watershed is small with hardwoods, wetlands, residential housing, pastures, agricultural row crops, and grasslands. There are no discernable inlets that flow into the lake. The outlet is connected to a wetland area west of the lake. The wetland area can connect to Ringo Lake during high water via a 30 inch steel culvert under U.S. Highway 71. Less desirable species such as Black Bullhead and Common Carp have moved into Henderson from Ringo during high water events. Water levels were normal during the spring, but high by summer of 2025. The DNR Spicer Fisheries Office manages Henderson Lake for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Walleye. Black Crappie abundance was low in 2025 (0.50 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 14.81 fish/trapnet. Black Crappie were absent in the 2025 gillnets. The 2025 Black Crappie average size was large (1.01 pounds and 12.05 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.40 pounds from trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were above normal for ages 1-4 and normal for ages 5-7. Equal numbers of the 2021, 2020 and 2018 year classes were present in the 2025 survey. The largest Black Crappie captured was 12.60 inches in 2025. Bluegill abundance was low in 2025 (14.50 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 101.27 fish/trapnet for Henderson Lake. Bluegill were absent in the 2025 gillnets. The 2025 Bluegill average size was large (0.43 pounds and 7.93 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.16 pounds from trapnets. The Bluegill catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches and larger) was moderate (13.83 fish/trapnet) in 2025. The Bluegill catch rate of preferred size (8.00 inches and larger) was moderate (9.00 fish/trapnet) in 2025. Bluegill growth rates were below normal for ages 1-2, normal for ages 3-4 and above normal for ages 5-8. The 2019 year class comprised 32% of the 2025 Bluegill catch. The largest Bluegill captured was 9.57 inches in 2025. Largemouth Bass abundance was high (98.06/hour) from the 2025 post spawn spring electrofishing survey. A spring electrofishing survey was not conducted in 2020. Largemouth Bass abundance was moderate (54.71 fish/hour) in 2014 spring electrofishing survey. The 2025 Largemouth Bass average size was small (0.89 pounds and 11.55 inches) but similar to the 2014 spring electrofishing survey (0.78 pounds and 11.33 inches). Largemouth Bass catch rate of fish 15.00 inches and larger was low (0.65 fish/hour) in 2025. Largemouth Bass growth rates were below normal for ages 1-8. The 2020 year class comprised 42% of the 2025 spring electrofishing catch. The largest Largemouth Bass captured was 15.35 inches in the 2025 survey. Northern Pike abundance was low in 2025 (0.67 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 5.22 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was large (4.66 pounds and 26.81 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.28 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of preferred size (28.00 inches and larger) was low (0.33 fish/gillnet). The largest Northern Pike captured was 32.44 inches in 2025. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Henderson in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two Northern Pike longer than 26.00 inches; and all from 22.00 to 26.00 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one Northern Pike may be between 22.00 and 26.00 inches or two larger than 26.00 inches. Walleye abundance was high in 2025 (3.33 fish/gillnet) for Henderson. The Walleye historical average catch rate is 1.85 fish/gillnet for Henderson. The 2025 Walleye average size was small (0.82 pounds and 12.99 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight was 2.24 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were below normal for ages 1-4. The 2022 Walleye stocked year classes comprised 64% of the 2025 Walleye catch. Walleye were recently stocked in 2018 (52 adults), 2019 (59 adults, 1,783 fingerlings), 2020 (8 adults and 53 yearlings), 2021 (152 adults), 2022 (210 yearlings), 2023 (8 adults, 96 yearlings and 389 fingerlings) and 2024 (104 yearlings and 277 fingerlings). Walleye natural reproduction has generally been infrequent and insignificant in Henderson Lake based on previous surveys. The largest Walleye captured was 19.57 inches in 2025. Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2025 (2.67 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 14.55 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.12 pounds and 6.34 inches). The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.10 pounds. Adult perch were last stocked into Henderson during 2002 (556 fish, 270 pounds). The largest Yellow Perch captured was 8.66 inches in 2025. Other fish species captured included low numbers of Bowfin (0.17 fish/trapnet, 0,80 pounds average) and Pumpkinseed Sunfish (0.17 fish/trapnet, 4.33 inches average). Black Bullhead and Common Carp were not captured in the 2020 or 2025 survey nets. Current fish management activities on Henderson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Henderson Lake fishery will be sampled in the spring of 2030 for Largemouth Bass and summer for all fish species.

A standard survey was conducted on Henderson Lake in mid-July of 2020. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Henderson is a small (75 acres), deep (57 feet maximum), and low productivity lake (2014 total phosphorus=0.015 ppm) located in Kandiyohi County. Henderson is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. The water clarity was excellent on July 13, 2020 (secchi=12.0 feet). Dissolved oxygen was less than 1.0 ppm below 24 feet deep on July 13, 2020. Aquatic vegetation (clasping-leaf pondweed, bushy pondweed, sago pondweed, water moss, muskgrass, filamentous algae, coontail, and northern milfoil) was moderate to abundant within the littoral area of the lake. Eurasian water milfoil was present at 80% of the transect sites. Eurasian water milfoil was first documented during 2018 in Henderson. Algae blooms with a brown/red color have occasionally occurred in past years during the fall or spring turnover periods. Emergent vegetation is limited to a few small stands of hardstem bulrush along the west shore and cattails along the west bay area. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, gravel, and rubble. The lake is highly developed (51 homes, 2020 survey). The immediate watershed is small with hardwoods, wetlands, residential housing, pastures, agricultural row crops, and grasslands. There are no discernable inlets that flow into the lake. The outlet is connected to a wetland area west of the lake. The wetland area can connect to Ringo Lake during high water via a 30 inch steel culvert under U.S. Highway 71. Less desirable species such as Black Bullhead and Common Carp have moved into Henderson from Ringo during high water events. Water levels were low during 2020. The DNR Spicer Fisheries Office manages Henderson Lake for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Walleye. Black Crappie numbers were low in 2020 (0.83 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 15.83 fish/trapnet. Black Crappie were absent in the 2020 gillnets. The 2020 Black Crappie average size was large (0.64 pounds and 10.43 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.35 pounds from trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were slow for ages 1-8. The 2015 and 2014 year classes comprised 60% and 40% of the 2020 Black Crappie catch. Bluegill numbers were low in 2020 (1.17 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 107.54 fish/trapnet for Henderson Lake. The 2020 Bluegill gillnet catch rate (7.00 fish/gillnet) was above the historical average (3.29 fish/gillnet). The 2020 Bluegill average size was large from trapnets (0.29 pounds and 6.96 inches) and gillnets (0.24 pounds and 6.77 inches). The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.14 pounds from trapnets. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.35 inches. Bluegill growth rates were slow for ages 1-5, but normal for ages 6-8. The 2013 and 2016 year classes comprised 38% and 29% respectively of the 2020 Bluegill catch. Largemouth Bass numbers were abundant in 2020 summer survey gear (2.00 fish/gillnet). A spring electrofishing survey was not conducted in 2020 due to Covid. Largemouth Bass were abundant in a 2014 spring electrofishing survey (54.71 fish/hour) and was similar to the historical average of 57.27 fish/hour for Henderson Lake. The 2014 Largemouth Bass average size was small (0.78 pounds and 11.33 inches) from spring electrofishing. Northern Pike numbers were abundant in 2020 (7.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 5.55 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Northern Pike average size was moderate (3.30 pounds and 23.99 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.19 pounds from gillnets. The largest Northern Pike captured was 37.99 inches. Northern Pike growth rates were slow for ages 1-5, but above fast for ages 4-5. The 2015 year class comprised 44% of the 2020 Northern Pike catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Henderson in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches or two larger than 26 inches. Walleye numbers were abundant in 2020 (3.50 fish/gillnet) when compared to similar lakes and the historical average catch rate (1.74 fish/gillnet) for Henderson. The 2020 Walleye average size was moderate (1.11 pounds and 13.21 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight was 2.35 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were fair for ages 1-5. The 2019 and 2017 Walleye stocked year classes comprised 67% and 20% respectively of the 2020 Walleye catch. Walleye were recently stocked in 2013 (474 yearlings), 2014 (157 adults), 2015 (109 adults and 19 yearlings), 2016 (111 adults, 6 yearlings), 2018 (52 adults) and 2019 (59 adults, 1,783 fingerlings). Walleye natural reproduction has generally been infrequent and insignificant in Henderson Lake based on previous surveys. Yellow Perch numbers were moderate in 2020 (12.50 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 15.40 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.10 pounds and 6.14 inches). The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.10 pounds. Adult perch were last stocked into Henderson during 2002 (556 fish, 270 pounds). Other fish species captured included low numbers of White Sucker and Hybrid Sunfish. Black Bullhead and Common Carp were not captured in the 2020 survey nets. Multiple private chemical treatments for Eurasian water milfoil had occurred on Henderson shortly before the 2020 summer survey was conducted. This may have negatively affected our nearshore trapnet catch of fish species. Copper based herbicides are a known fish irritant, which may have pushed fish from away the shallow nearshore treatment areas and trapnets stations and into deeper water, thus reducing our trapnet catch numbers especially of Bluegill and Black Crappie. Current fish management activities on Henderson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Henderson Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2025 spring for Largemouth Bass and summer for all fish species.

A re-survey was conducted on Henderson Lake in early July of 2014. Henderson is a small (75 acres), deep (57 feet maximum), and lowly productive lake (2014 total phosphorus=0.015 ppm) located in Kandiyohi County. Henderson is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. The water clarity was excellent on July 7, 2014 (secchi=9.0 feet). Dissolved oxygen was less than 1.0 ppm below 24 feet deep on July 7, 2014. Submergent vegetation (various pondweeds, water moss, coontail, and northern milfoil) was moderate to abundant within the littoral area of the lake. Filamentous algae was notable along the northeast corner of the lake in 2014. Algae blooms with a brown/red color have occasionally occurred in past years during the fall or spring turnover periods. Emergent vegetation is limited to a few small stands of hardstem bulrush along the west shore and common cattail along the west bay area. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, gravel, and rubble. The immediate watershed is small with hardwoods, wetlands, residential housing, pastures, agricultural row crops, and grasslands. There are no discernable inlets that flow into the lake. The outlet is connected to a marsh area west of the lake. The marsh area can connect to Ringo Lake during high water via a 30 inch steel culvert under U.S. Highway 71. Less desirable species such as black bullhead and carp have moved into Henderson from Ringo during high water events. Water levels were high during June and July of 2014. A slow no-wake zone was put in place for lakes in Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties during June thru early July of 2014. The DNR Spicer Fisheries Office manages Henderson Lake for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch, and walleye. Largemouth bass were moderately abundant (54.71 fish/hour) in a 2014 spring electrofishing survey. The largemouth bass historical average catch rate is 57.27 fish/hour for Henderson Lake. The 2014 largemouth bass average size was small (0.78 pounds and 11.33 inches) from spring electrofishing. The historical average weight and length were 1.17 pounds and 12.42 inches. Low numbers of larger (15.00 plus inches) largemouth bass (3.53 fish/hour) were captured in 2014. Largemouth bass growth rates were poor. The 2010 year class comprised 43% of the 2014 total largemouth bass spring electrofishing catch. Black crappie numbers were low (2.00 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (16.99 fish/trapnet). The 2014 black crappie average size was moderate (0.45 pounds and 9.27 inches) from trapnets. The black crappie historical average weight is 0.33 pounds from trapnets. Black crappie growth rates were poor. All of the black crappie captured were from either the 2009 or 2008 year classes. Northern pike numbers of small fish (2.09 pounds and 20.43 inches average size) were abundant in 2014 (10.50 fish/gillnet) especially compared to the historical average of 5.43 fish/gillnet. The northern pike historical average weight is 3.18 pounds from gillnets. Northern pike growth rates were poor for ages 1-3, but excellent for ages 4-5. The majority of northern pike were from the 2012 and 2011 year classes. The largest northern pike captured was 32.7 inches from a gillnet in 2014. There have been occasional reports of large northern pike (10 pound plus) harvested in recent years from Henderson. Yellow perch were absent in both 2014 gillnets and trapnets. There were 4.67 yellow perch/gillnet in the previous 2009 assessment. The yellow perch historical average catch rate is 15.63 fish/gillnet. Adult perch were last stocked into Henderson during 2002 (556 fish, 270 pounds). Walleye numbers were low in 2014 (1.50 fish/gillnet) but similar to the historical average of 1.61 fish/gillnet. The walleye average size was moderate (1.02 pounds and 14.32 inches) from 2014 gillnets. The walleye historical average weight was 2.46 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were poor. The majority of walleye captured were from 2010 and 2011 year classes. Walleye yearlings or adults have been stocked in recent years instead of fingerlings due to better potential survival in lakes with abundant bass and northern pike populations. Walleye natural reproduction has generally been infrequent and insignificant in Henderson Lake based on previous surveys. Bluegill numbers were low in 2014 (12.17 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average of 115.72 fish/trapnet. The bluegill average size was moderate (0.19 pounds and 5.85 inches) from trapnets. The bluegill historical average weight is 0.13 pounds from trapnets. The largest bluegill captured was 8.0 inches from a trapnet in 2014. There were moderate numbers of bluegill 6.0 plus inches (7.33 fish/trapnet), but low numbers of bluegill 8 plus inches (0.17 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were generally poor to fair for ages 1-6. A variety of bluegill year classes were captured in 2014. Black bullhead numbers were low in 2014 (0.17 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (1.24 fish/trapnet). The 2014 black bullhead average size was large (1.34 pounds and 13.27 inches) from trapnets. The black bullhead historical average weight is 0.90 pounds from trapnets. Common carp were not captured in 2014 (0.00 fish/gillnet). The carp historical average catch rate is 0.52 fish/gillnet. Current fish management activities on Henderson include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Henderson Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2019 spring for largemouth bass and summer for all fish species.

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

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

Henderson has a maximum depth of 57 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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