Willmar

A standard survey was conducted on Willmar Lake during late July of 2025. A fall night electrofishing survey was conducted for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye during early September of 2025. 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). Willmar is a moderate sized (447 acres), aerated, shallow (14 feet maximum) and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Willmar is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Willmar Lake (34-0180-01) is located within the city limits of Willmar. A large city park "Robbin's Island" is located along the south side of the lake. There are 45 homes, 1 commercial building and a golf course located around the lake (2020). Willmar Lake has one public boat access on the south shore. Willmar Lake is also connected to Foot Lake via a downstream navigable outlet channel. A basin on the west side of Robbin's Island Park has been considered as part of Foot Lake (34-0181-00) for MNDNR Fisheries management purposes since the 1980's. MNDNR Ecological Waters Resources identifies this basin as part of Willmar Lake (34-0180-02). Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake probably occurs frequently. Eagle Lake and several shallow lakes are upstream of Willmar Lake and connected via ditches and inlets that eventually flow to Willmar Lake. There are 15 inlets/tiles that enter Willmar Lake. Nutrient inputs into Willmar Lake are from varied sources such as road runoff via Highway 23/71, storm sewer runoff from the city of Willmar, golf course runoff via inlets, residential lawn runoff, fecal droppings from local Canada goose populations, and agricultural runoff primarily along the northwest shore. Nutrient levels (total phosphorus=0.091 ppm, chlorophyll a=34.6 ppb) were high on June 9, 2022. Water clarity was poor (secchi=2.3 feet) on July 23, 2025. Dissolved oxygen was 5.9 ppm or higher to 7 feet deep during the 2025 summer survey. Shoalwater substrates are varied with mostly sand, silt, gravel, boulder, muck, and rubble. Willmar had generally sparse submergent vegetation (sago pondweed and curly-leaf pondweed) throughout the lake in 2025. However, curly-leaf pondweed was abundant during the late spring thru early summer of 2020. Emergent vegetation (cattails) is common near the Willmar Lake outlet channel area. Blue-green algae blooms are common occurrences during the late summer months of most years. Water levels were low during the spring but above normal by mid-summer. Historically, both Foot and Willmar basins, and surrounding wetlands have been altered over time by dredging and filling. Willmar Lake has been a popular fishing lake for Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Channel Catfish and largemouth bass in recent years. Shore fishing occurs at the public boat access, east shore off Highway 23/71, and Robbin's Island Park near the boat channel bridge. The DNR Spicer Area Fisheries Office manages Willmar for Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and Yellow Perch. Black Crappie abundance was high in 2025 (6.00 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie gillnet catch was also high (18.50 fish/gillnet, 0.56 pounds average size) in 2025. The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 11.00 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Black Crappie size was moderate (0.59 pounds and 9.80 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.33 pounds from trapnets. The 2025 Black Crappie catch rate of preferred size (10.00 inches and larger) Black Crappie was high (3.83 fish/trapnet) in 2025. Black Crappie growth rates were normal for ages 1-6, but below normal for age 7. The 2020 and 2023 year classes comprised 38% and 30% respectively of the 2025 Black Crappie catch. The largest Black Crappie captured was 12.13 inches in 2025. Bluegill abundance was low in 2025 (3.33 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 6.35 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Bluegill average size was large (0.30 pounds and 6.86 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.23 pounds from trapnets. The 2025 Bluegill catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches and larger) was low (2.33 fish/trapnet). The largest Bluegill captured was 9.09 inches in 2025. Channel Catfish were not captured in the 2025 summer survey. Channel Catfish were absent from the 2020 survey. Channel Catfish were absent in the 2014 gillnets (0.00 fish/gillnet), but two fish were present in the 2014 trapnets (0.33 fish/trapnet, 4.70 pounds average weight). The historical average catch rates are 0.37 fish/gillnet and 0.24 fish/trapnet. Channel Catfish were last stocked in 2013 (4,225 fingerlings, 65 pounds). Northern Pike abundance was high in 2025 (10.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 4.89 fish/gillnet. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was moderate (3.47 pounds and 24.89 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.81 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of 26.00 inches and larger was high (3.00 fish/gillnet). The largest Northern Pike captured was 32.87 inches in 2025. Walleye abundance was high in 2025 (14.00 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 16.37 fish/gillnet. Walleye were less abundant in connected Foot Lake during 2025 (3.67 fish/gillnet, 1.09 pounds average weight). The 2025 Walleye average size was moderate (1.41 pounds and 14.52 inches) from Willmar gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.36 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches and larger) was moderate (4.50 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates for Willmar were normal for age 1, but below normal for ages 2-8. The 2022 and 2023 Walleye year classes comprised 34% and 28% respectively of the 2025 Walleye catch. The largest Walleye captured was 25.51 inches in 2025. Walleye natural reproduction in Willmar is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Walleye fry have been generally stocked (250,000-670,000 fish per lake) during even years from 1982-2018 in both Willmar and Foot. Recent Walleye stockings include 2025 (149,314 fry), 2024 (150,941 fry), 2023 (152,525 fry), 2022 (224,191 fry), 2021 (316,575 fry), 2019 (300,000 fry; 7,963 fingerlings, 668 pounds), and 2018 (357,952 fry). YOY Walleye abundance was high (180.00 YOY/hour, 7.09 inches average) in Willmar Lake during 2025. YOY Walleye abundance was also high (186.00 YOY/hour, 6.81 inches average) in 2025 Foot fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye (fry stockings) were previously abundant in the 2014 fall electrofishing surveys for Willmar (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches) and connected Foot (216.00 YOY/hour, 5.59 inches). YOY Walleye abundance was low (15.00 YOY/hour or less) in 2016-2019 fall electrofishing surveys for both Foot and Willmar. Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2025 (2.50 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 2.63 fish/gillnet for Willmar. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was large (0.25 pounds and 8.17 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight and length is 0.18 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Yellow Perch catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) was low (1.50 fish/gillnet). The largest Yellow Perch captured was 8.94 inches in 2025. Bigmouth Buffalo abundance was low in 2025 (0.17 fish/trapnet and 0.50 fish/gillnet). The Bigmouth Buffalo historical average catch rates are 0.33 fish/trapnet and 3.35 fish/gillnet. The 2025 average weight was moderate (9.61 pounds) from gillnets and trapnets combined. Black Bullhead abundance was low in 2025 (11.00 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate is 105.46 fish/gillnet. Black Bullhead were absent from the 2025 trapnets. The 2025 Black Bullhead average size was moderate (0.63 pounds and 10.37 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.46 pounds from gillnets. The largest Black Bullhead captured was 11.69 inches in 2025. One Brown Bullhead was captured in the trapnets (11.61 inches). Common Carp abundance was moderate in 2025 (2.83 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 2.98 fish/trapnet for Willmar. The 2025 Common Carp average size was small (4.76 pounds and 21.02 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 5.68 pounds from trapnets. Freshwater Drum abundance was high in 2025 (31.00 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rates are 17.63 fish/gillnet and 6.35 fish/trapnet for Willmar. The 2025 trapnet catch rate was 4.17 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Freshwater Drum average sizes were moderate from both gillnets (1.11 pounds and 13.60 inches) and trapnets (1.09 pounds and 13.31 inches). The historical average weights are 0.96 pounds and 1.07 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets. The largest Freshwater Drum captured was 16.30 inches in 2025. Current fish management activities on Willmar include protecting the important aquatic habitats such as emergent and submergent vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species in Willmar Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2030.

A standard survey was conducted on Willmar Lake during late 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). Willmar is a moderate sized (636 acres), aerated, shallow (14 feet maximum) and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Willmar is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Willmar Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. A large city park "Robbin's Island" is located along the south side of the lake. There are 45 homes, 1 commercial building and a golf course located around the lake (2020). Willmar Lake has one public boat access on the south shore. Willmar Lake is also connected to Foot Lake via a downstream navigable outlet channel. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake probably occurs frequently. There are several shallow lakes upstream of Willmar Lake connected via ditches and inlets to Willmar Lake. There are 15 inlets/tiles that enter Willmar Lake. Nutrient inputs into Willmar Lake are from varied sources such as road runoff via Highway 23/71, storm sewer runoff from the city of Willmar, golf course runoff via inlets, residential lawn runoff, fecal droppings from local Canada goose populations, and agricultural runoff primarily along the northwest shore. Nutrient levels (total phosphorus=0.065 ppm, chlorophyll a=30.1 ppb) were moderate to high on June 9, 2009. Water clarity was poor (secchi=1.0 feet) on July 27, 2020. Dissolved oxygen was 6.0 ppm or higher throughout the water column during the summer survey. Shoalwater substrates are varied with mostly sand, silt, muck, and rubble. Willmar has generally sparse submergent vegetation (sago pondweed, coontail, curly-leaf pondweed, water moss) throughout the lake. However, curly-leaf pondweed was abundant during the late spring thru early summer of 2020. Emergent vegetation (cattails) is common near the Willmar Lake outlet channel area. Blue-green algae blooms are common occurrences during the late summer months of most years. Water levels were low during 2020. Willmar Lake has been a popular fishing lake for Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Channel Catfish and largemouth bass in recent years. The DNR Spicer Area Fisheries Office manages Willmar for Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and Yellow Perch. Black Crappie numbers were abundant in 2020 (28.00 fish/trapnet, 57.00 fish/gillnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rates are 11.63 fish/trapnet and 16.19 fish/gillnet. The 2020 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.47 pounds and 9.22 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.30 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of preferred size (10.00 plus inches) Black Crappie was high (11.50 fish/trapnet) in 2020. Black Crappie growth rates for Willmar Lake were good for ages 1-8. The 2018 and 2016 year classes comprised 35% and 33% respectively of the 2020 Black Crappie catch. Bluegill numbers were high (11.00 fish/trapnet) in 2020 compared to the historical average (6.73 fish/trapnet). The 2020 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.16 pounds and 5.73 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (6.00 plus inches) Bluegill was moderate (4.33 fish/trapnet) in 2020. Channel Catfish were not captured in the 2020 summer survey. Numbers were low in the 2014 survey (0.33 fish/trapnet, 4.70 pounds average weight). The historical average catch rates are 0.42 fish/gillnet and 0.27 fish/trapnet. Channel Catfish were last stocked in 2013 (4,225 fingerlings, 65 pounds). Northern Pike numbers were moderate in 2020 (4.00 fish/gillnet) and similar to the historical average (4.25 fish/gillnet). The 2020 Northern Pike average size was moderate (4.00 pounds and 26.57 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.86 pounds from gillnets. The largest Northern Pike captured was 38.39 inches. Northern Pike growth rates for Willmar were slow for ages 1-8. The 2011 year class comprised 27% of the 2020 Northern Pike catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Willmar 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 moderate in 2020 (12.00 fish/gillnet), but below the historical average (16.67 fish/gillnet). Walleye were less abundant in connected Foot Lake 2020 gillnets (8.00 fish/gillnet, 1.90 pounds average weight). The 2020 Walleye average size was moderate (2.02 pounds and 17.08 inches) from gillnets in Willmar. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.35 pounds from gillnets. The catch rate of quality size (15.00 plus inches) Walleye was high (10.00 fish/gillnet) in 2020. Walleye growth rates for Willmar were fair for ages 1-8. The 2014 Walleye year class comprised 56% of the 2020 Walleye catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Willmar is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Walleye fry have been generally stocked (250,000-670,000 fish per lake) during even years since 1982 in both Willmar and Foot. Recent Walleye stockings include 2019 (300,000 fry; 7,963 fingerlings, 668 pounds), 2018 (357,952 fry), 2017 (402,090 fry), 2016 (433,629 fry), 2014 (326,305 fry) and 2012 (368,602 fry). Young of year "YOY" Walleye (fry stockings) were last abundant in the 2014 fall electrofishing surveys for Willmar (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches) and connected Foot (216.00 YOY/hour, 5.59 inches). YOY Walleye abundance was low (15.00 YOY/hour or less) in 2016-2019 fall electrofishing surveys for both Foot and Willmar. Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2020 (1.00 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 2.65 fish/gillnet for Willmar. The 2020 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.22 pounds and 7.87 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight and length is 0.17 pounds from gillnets. Bigmouth Buffalo numbers were low in 2020 (0.67 fish/trapnet). The 2020 average weight was moderate (6.48 pounds) from trapnets. Black Bullhead numbers were low in 2020 (17.00 fish/gillnet compared to the historical average (117.27 fish/gillnet). Black Bullhead numbers were low in the 2020 trapnets (5.17 fish/trapnet, 0.88 pounds average weight). The 2020 Black Bullhead average size was large (0.76 pounds and 10.95 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.43 pounds from gillnets. Common Carp numbers were low in 2020 (2.00 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average (3.00 fish/trapnet) for Willmar. The 2020 Common Carp average size was large (8.92 pounds and 26.89 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 5.79 pounds from trapnets. Freshwater Drum numbers were high in 2020 (29.00 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rate is 15.96 fish/gillnet for Willmar. The 2020 Freshwater Drum average size (1.05 pounds and 13.38 inches) was moderate from gillnets. Current fish management activities on Willmar include protecting the important aquatic habitats such as emergent and submergent vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species in Willmar Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2025.

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Willmar Lake during September 12, 2019 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Willmar is a moderate sized (636 acres), multi basin, shallow, aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Willmar Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. Willmar Lake is also connected to Foot Lake via a downstream navigable channel. Foot Lake has two distinct basins (northwest and southeast) bisected by a county road, but connected via several large culverts. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake occurs frequently. Walleye natural reproduction in both Willmar and Foot is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous surveys. Walleye fry have been stocked (250,000 to 670,000 fry per lake) into Willmar and Foot generally during even years from 1982-2016. Walleye fry were recently stocked into Willmar and Foot during 2016-2019. Walleye fry are stocked in both Willmar and Foot during the same time and stocking successes or failures almost always mimic each other. Approximately 300,000 fry were stocked in each Willmar and Foot during 2019. Low YOY Walleye numbers (15.00 YOY/hour, 7.28 inches) were captured in the 2019 Willmar fall electrofishing survey. No YOY Walleye numbers were captured in the 2018 Willmar Lake fall night electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers were captured in the 2016 (12.00 YOY/hour, 6.94 inches) and 2017 (3.00 YOY/hour, 6.14 inches) Willmar fall night electrofishing surveys. Low or no YOY Walleye numbers were captured in connected Foot Lake during 2019 (0.00 YOY/hour), 2018 (6.00 YOY/hour), 2017 (12.00 YOY/hour) and 2016 (0.00 YOY/hour). YOY Walleye numbers were abundant during fry stocked years in other Willmar fall electrofishing surveys of 2008 (308.00 YOY/hour, 5.99 inches), 2010 (132.00 YOY/hour, 8.57 inches average) and 2014 (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches average). Low YOY Walleye numbers were documented in Willmar during 2012 (21.00 YOY/hour, 6.91 inches average). No yearling Walleye were captured in Willmar or Foot during the 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 fall night electrofishing surveys. Spicer Strain Walleye fingerlings were stocked into Foot (6,009 fish, 521 lbs.) and Willmar (7,963 fish, 668 lbs.) during 2019 fall due to poor fry success from 2016-2019. We observed abundant/moderate numbers of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum and shiners in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Adult Walleye abundance was low in Foot (2.00 fish/gillnet, 2.87 pounds and 18.86 inches), but high in connected Willmar Lake (14.00 fish/gillnet, 1.63 pounds and 15.63 inches) in the most recent 2014 standard summer survey. Willmar Lake will be surveyed for all fish species in the summer of 2020. Walleye fry will be stocked into Foot and Willmar during 2021. A fall night electrofishing survey will be conducted during Walleye fry stocked years.

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

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

Willmar has a maximum depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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