Wakanda Lake

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Wakanda during August 27, 2024 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. 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). Weather conditions were sunny with a light west wind. The water temperature was 79 F. An intense blue-green algae bloom was noted during the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. We observed abundant numbers of YOY Yellow Perch, adult Common Carp and adult Bigmouth Buffalo; moderate numbers of Largemouth Bass; low numbers of Black Crappie in the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Wakanda is a large (1,754 acres), shallow (15 feet maximum depth), turbid, aerated and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Wakanda connects to several shallow winterkill prone lakes (Little Kandiyohi, Kasota and Minnetaga) and outlets into several large ditch systems eventually flowing into Big Kandiyohi and Lake Lillian. Partial winterkills of fish occurred during the mid to late 1990's due to high snowfall events or operational problems with the aeration system. A significant winterkill of gamefish (Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie) and Common Carp occurred during January/February of 2013 and a partial winterkill in 2014. The helixor aeration system was moved from deeper water with softer substrates to shallower water with rock substrates in the 2014 fall. Oxygen levels were good through January of 2019, but heavy snowfall during February lowered oxygen levels in many shallow area lakes. A partial winterkill occurred in February of 2019 even though the aeration system was operational all winter. We observed abundant numbers of dead Common Carp, White Sucker and Bigmouth Buffalo. We also saw low numbers of dead adult Walleye, Black Bullhead and Yellow Perch. However, we caught low/moderate numbers of gamefish in the 2019 spring trap nets. A drawn down was initiated during 2020-2021 to facilitate a winterkill of less desirable fish species (Common Carp, Black Bullheads) in accordance with management plan objectives formalized by the DNR Wildlife & Fisheries, Ducks Unlimited and local conservation and governmental groups. The Wakanda maximum depth was only 11 feet in 2021 summer compared to the historical depth of 15 feet. Boat access was severely limited due to low/shallow water in 2021. Oxygen levels were extremely low (0.3-0.9 ppm) during late February of 2021. Dissolved oxygen levels were variable during the 2021-22 winter due in part to low water levels, colder temperatures, variability in snow cover, and overabundance of submergent vegetation in some basins (i.e., Elizabeth). In the 2021-22 winter, high snowfall cover coupled with low water and decaying of high submergent vegetation densities in some area lakes resulted in rapid declines of winter oxygen levels. Oxygen levels ranged from 6.8 ppm in early January of 2022 to 1.5 ppm at the end of February 2022 for Wakanda. There were no reports of winterkill for the 2021-22 winter. Water levels rebounded in 2022 to allow use of the public accesses but was still low compared to normal levels. The aeration system was operated in the 2022-23 winter due to heavy snowfall conditions. Winter dissolved oxygen readings near the aeration system was around 5 ppm on February 7, 2023 which was better than other nearby lakes like Elizabeth and Ella (1-2 ppm). Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. There were no reports of winterkill in 2023. Water levels returned to normal in 2024. Walleye natural reproduction is insignificant during most years based on previous surveys, although adequate windswept shoal water substrates for good spawning habitat are present in Wakanda. Spicer Strain Walleye fry were last stocked during 2024 (351,000 fish) in Wakanda. Approximately 500,00 Spicer Strain Walleye fry were stocked in 2022-23. No Walleye fry were stocked in 2020-21. Spicer Strain Walleye fry (405,000 fish) were stocked in 2019. Pike River Strain Walleye fry (1.2 million fish) were stocked in 2018. Approximately 1.6 million plus Walleye fry were stocked each year during 2016 (Pike River Strain), 2014 (Private and Spicer Strains) and 2013 (Pike River Strain). No YOY Walleye were caught in the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (188.00 YOY/hour, 7.38 inches) were caught in the 2022 fall daytime electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye are probably more numerous than documented in 2022 due to daytime electrofishing being less effective than night electrofishing for catching YOY Walleye. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (276.00 YOY/hour, 7.31 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye numbers were also abundant in 2018 (285.00 YOY/hour, 6.20 inches), 2016 (90.00 YOY/hour, 6.84 inches) and 2014 (464.00 YOY/hour, 7.91 inches) fall night electrofishing surveys. No YOY walleye were captured in the 2013 fall night electrofishing survey. Adult Walleye abundance was moderate (8.00 fish/gillnet) in the 2022 summer survey. The Walleye abundance was higher (44.33 fish/gillnet) in 2021. The Walleye historical average catch rate (2002-present) is 39.27 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.01 pounds and 17.78 inches from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.42 pounds from gillnets. The Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches and larger) was 7.00 fish/gillnet in 2022. The Walleye catch rate of preferred size (20.00 inches and larger) was 0.00 fish/gillnet in 2022. Walleye growth rates were within or above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-6. The 2019 and 2016 year classes (fry stocked) comprised 78% and 11% respectively of the 2022 Walleye gillnet and trapnet catch. The largest Walleye captured was 18.74 inches in the 2022 survey. Current fish management activities on Wakanda include monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting Kandiyohi County in operating the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species will be sampled in 2026. Fall electrofishing surveys will be periodically conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Wakanda during August 27, 2024 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. 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). Weather conditions were sunny with a light west wind. The water temperature was 79 F. An intense blue-green algae bloom was noted during the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. We observed abundant numbers of YOY Yellow Perch, adult Common Carp and adult Bigmouth Buffalo; moderate numbers of Largemouth Bass; low numbers of Black Crappie in the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Wakanda is a large (1,754 acres), shallow (15 feet maximum depth), turbid, aerated and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Wakanda connects to several shallow winterkill prone lakes (Little Kandiyohi, Kasota and Minnetaga) and outlets into several large ditch systems eventually flowing into Big Kandiyohi and Lake Lillian. Partial winterkills of fish occurred during the mid to late 1990's due to high snowfall events or operational problems with the aeration system. A significant winterkill of gamefish (Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie) and Common Carp occurred during January/February of 2013 and a partial winterkill in 2014. The helixor aeration system was moved from deeper water with softer substrates to shallower water with rock substrates in the 2014 fall. Oxygen levels were good through January of 2019, but heavy snowfall during February lowered oxygen levels in many shallow area lakes. A partial winterkill occurred in February of 2019 even though the aeration system was operational all winter. We observed abundant numbers of dead Common Carp, White Sucker and Bigmouth Buffalo. We also saw low numbers of dead adult Walleye, Black Bullhead and Yellow Perch. However, we caught low/moderate numbers of gamefish in the 2019 spring trap nets. A drawn down was initiated during 2020-2021 to facilitate a winterkill of less desirable fish species (Common Carp, Black Bullheads) in accordance with management plan objectives formalized by the DNR Wildlife & Fisheries, Ducks Unlimited and local conservation and governmental groups. The Wakanda maximum depth was only 11 feet in 2021 summer compared to the historical depth of 15 feet. Boat access was severely limited due to low/shallow water in 2021. Oxygen levels were extremely low (0.3-0.9 ppm) during late February of 2021. Dissolved oxygen levels were variable during the 2021-22 winter due in part to low water levels, colder temperatures, variability in snow cover, and overabundance of submergent vegetation in some basins (i.e., Elizabeth). In the 2021-22 winter, high snowfall cover coupled with low water and decaying of high submergent vegetation densities in some area lakes resulted in rapid declines of winter oxygen levels. Oxygen levels ranged from 6.8 ppm in early January of 2022 to 1.5 ppm at the end of February 2022 for Wakanda. There were no reports of winterkill for the 2021-22 winter. Water levels rebounded in 2022 to allow use of the public accesses but was still low compared to normal levels. The aeration system was operated in the 2022-23 winter due to heavy snowfall conditions. Winter dissolved oxygen readings near the aeration system was around 5 ppm on February 7, 2023 which was better than other nearby lakes like Elizabeth and Ella (1-2 ppm). Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. There were no reports of winterkill in 2023. Water levels returned to normal in 2024. Walleye natural reproduction is insignificant during most years based on previous surveys, although adequate windswept shoal water substrates for good spawning habitat are present in Wakanda. Spicer Strain Walleye fry were last stocked during 2024 (351,000 fish) in Wakanda. Approximately 500,00 Spicer Strain Walleye fry were stocked in 2022-23. No Walleye fry were stocked in 2020-21. Spicer Strain Walleye fry (405,000 fish) were stocked in 2019. Pike River Strain Walleye fry (1.2 million fish) were stocked in 2018. Approximately 1.6 million plus Walleye fry were stocked each year during 2016 (Pike River Strain), 2014 (Private and Spicer Strains) and 2013 (Pike River Strain). No YOY Walleye were caught in the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (188.00 YOY/hour, 7.38 inches) were caught in the 2022 fall daytime electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye are probably more numerous than documented in 2022 due to daytime electrofishing being less effective than night electrofishing for catching YOY Walleye. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (276.00 YOY/hour, 7.31 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye numbers were also abundant in 2018 (285.00 YOY/hour, 6.20 inches), 2016 (90.00 YOY/hour, 6.84 inches) and 2014 (464.00 YOY/hour, 7.91 inches) fall night electrofishing surveys. No YOY walleye were captured in the 2013 fall night electrofishing survey. Adult Walleye abundance was moderate (8.00 fish/gillnet) in the 2022 summer survey. The Walleye abundance was higher (44.33 fish/gillnet) in 2021. The Walleye historical average catch rate (2002-present) is 39.27 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.01 pounds and 17.78 inches from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.42 pounds from gillnets. The Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches and larger) was 7.00 fish/gillnet in 2022. The Walleye catch rate of preferred size (20.00 inches and larger) was 0.00 fish/gillnet in 2022. Walleye growth rates were within or above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-6. The 2019 and 2016 year classes (fry stocked) comprised 78% and 11% respectively of the 2022 Walleye gillnet and trapnet catch. The largest Walleye captured was 18.74 inches in the 2022 survey. Current fish management activities on Wakanda include monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting Kandiyohi County in operating the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species will be sampled in 2026. Fall electrofishing surveys will be periodically conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

A targeted fall daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on Wakanda during August 27, 2024 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. 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). Weather conditions were sunny with a light west wind. The water temperature was 79 F. An intense blue-green algae bloom was noted during the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. We observed abundant numbers of YOY Yellow Perch, adult Common Carp and adult Bigmouth Buffalo; moderate numbers of Largemouth Bass; low numbers of Black Crappie in the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Wakanda is a large (1,754 acres), shallow (15 feet maximum depth), turbid, aerated and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Wakanda connects to several shallow winterkill prone lakes (Little Kandiyohi, Kasota and Minnetaga) and outlets into several large ditch systems eventually flowing into Big Kandiyohi and Lake Lillian. Partial winterkills of fish occurred during the mid to late 1990's due to high snowfall events or operational problems with the aeration system. A significant winterkill of gamefish (Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie) and Common Carp occurred during January/February of 2013 and a partial winterkill in 2014. The helixor aeration system was moved from deeper water with softer substrates to shallower water with rock substrates in the 2014 fall. Oxygen levels were good through January of 2019, but heavy snowfall during February lowered oxygen levels in many shallow area lakes. A partial winterkill occurred in February of 2019 even though the aeration system was operational all winter. We observed abundant numbers of dead Common Carp, White Sucker and Bigmouth Buffalo. We also saw low numbers of dead adult Walleye, Black Bullhead and Yellow Perch. However, we caught low/moderate numbers of gamefish in the 2019 spring trap nets. A drawn down was initiated during 2020-2021 to facilitate a winterkill of less desirable fish species (Common Carp, Black Bullheads) in accordance with management plan objectives formalized by the DNR Wildlife & Fisheries, Ducks Unlimited and local conservation and governmental groups. The Wakanda maximum depth was only 11 feet in 2021 summer compared to the historical depth of 15 feet. Boat access was severely limited due to low/shallow water in 2021. Oxygen levels were extremely low (0.3-0.9 ppm) during late February of 2021. Dissolved oxygen levels were variable during the 2021-22 winter due in part to low water levels, colder temperatures, variability in snow cover, and overabundance of submergent vegetation in some basins (i.e., Elizabeth). In the 2021-22 winter, high snowfall cover coupled with low water and decaying of high submergent vegetation densities in some area lakes resulted in rapid declines of winter oxygen levels. Oxygen levels ranged from 6.8 ppm in early January of 2022 to 1.5 ppm at the end of February 2022 for Wakanda. There were no reports of winterkill for the 2021-22 winter. Water levels rebounded in 2022 to allow use of the public accesses but was still low compared to normal levels. The aeration system was operated in the 2022-23 winter due to heavy snowfall conditions. Winter dissolved oxygen readings near the aeration system was around 5 ppm on February 7, 2023 which was better than other nearby lakes like Elizabeth and Ella (1-2 ppm). Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. There were no reports of winterkill in 2023. Water levels returned to normal in 2024. Walleye natural reproduction is insignificant during most years based on previous surveys, although adequate windswept shoal water substrates for good spawning habitat are present in Wakanda. Spicer Strain Walleye fry were last stocked during 2024 (351,000 fish) in Wakanda. Approximately 500,00 Spicer Strain Walleye fry were stocked in 2022-23. No Walleye fry were stocked in 2020-21. Spicer Strain Walleye fry (405,000 fish) were stocked in 2019. Pike River Strain Walleye fry (1.2 million fish) were stocked in 2018. Approximately 1.6 million plus Walleye fry were stocked each year during 2016 (Pike River Strain), 2014 (Private and Spicer Strains) and 2013 (Pike River Strain). No YOY Walleye were caught in the 2024 fall daytime electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (188.00 YOY/hour, 7.38 inches) were caught in the 2022 fall daytime electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye are probably more numerous than documented in 2022 due to daytime electrofishing being less effective than night electrofishing for catching YOY Walleye. Abundant YOY Walleye numbers (276.00 YOY/hour, 7.31 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye numbers were also abundant in 2018 (285.00 YOY/hour, 6.20 inches), 2016 (90.00 YOY/hour, 6.84 inches) and 2014 (464.00 YOY/hour, 7.91 inches) fall night electrofishing surveys. No YOY walleye were captured in the 2013 fall night electrofishing survey. Adult Walleye abundance was moderate (8.00 fish/gillnet) in the 2022 summer survey. The Walleye abundance was higher (44.33 fish/gillnet) in 2021. The Walleye historical average catch rate (2002-present) is 39.27 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.01 pounds and 17.78 inches from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.42 pounds from gillnets. The Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches and larger) was 7.00 fish/gillnet in 2022. The Walleye catch rate of preferred size (20.00 inches and larger) was 0.00 fish/gillnet in 2022. Walleye growth rates were within or above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-6. The 2019 and 2016 year classes (fry stocked) comprised 78% and 11% respectively of the 2022 Walleye gillnet and trapnet catch. The largest Walleye captured was 18.74 inches in the 2022 survey. Current fish management activities on Wakanda include monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting Kandiyohi County in operating the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species will be sampled in 2026. Fall electrofishing surveys will be periodically conducted during Walleye fry stocked years to assess the success or failure of the stockings.

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

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

Wakanda Lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Wakanda Lake is from 2022.

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