Foot

A standard survey was conducted on Foot 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). Foot is a moderate size (692 acres), multi basin, aerated, shallow (663 littoral acres) and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Foot is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Foot Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. There are two distinct basins (northwest and southeast) bisected by a county road and connected via several large culverts. MNDNR Fisheries has considered the southeast basin as part of Foot Lake (34-0181-00) for management purposes since the 1980's. MNDNR Ecological Waters Resources identifies the southeast basin as part of Willmar Lake (34-0180-02). A large city park "Robbin's Island" is located along the east side of the southeast basin. The Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds is located along the south shore of the northwest basin. Ridgewater College is located on the north shore of the northwest basin. There are 86 homes and several nearby apartment buildings (2020 survey) on Foot Lake. There are two public boat access sites with one site on each basin. A new shore fishing area with concrete platforms has been developed along the jetty on the southeast basin of Foot Lake in Robbins Island Park. Another shore fishing area is located on the north shore near the two large culverts of the southeast basin. The fishing piers/areas are popular spots for catching Walleye, Northern Pike and Channel Catfish in the lake. Foot is also connected to Willmar Lake via an upstream navigable channel. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake occurs frequently. The Foot Lake outlet is considered the headwaters of Hawk Creek, although Eagle Lake and several shallow lakes are located upstream of Foot and Willmar. These lakes are connected via ditches and inlets that eventually flow to Willmar Lake. The outlet dam is located along the southwest shore of the northwest basin. There are 27 inlets/tiles that enter Foot Lake. Nutrient inputs into Foot Lake are from varied sources such as road runoff via Highway 23/71, storm sewer runoff from the city of Willmar, residential lawn runoff, fecal droppings from local Canada goose populations, and agricultural runoff primarily in the northwest basin. Nutrient levels (total phosphorus=0.060 ppm, chlorophyll a=25.8 ppb) were moderate to high in the southeast basin on July 13, 2020. Shoalwater substrates were varied in both basins with sand, silt, detritus, gravel, boulder, and sand. Historically, both Foot and Willmar basins, and surrounding wetlands have been altered over time by dredging and filling. The northwest basin is approximately 6 feet deep maximum, moderate to abundant submergent vegetation and moderate water clarity. The southeast basin has a maximum depth of 24 feet, sparse submergent vegetation (sago pondweed and curly-leaf pondweed) and poor water clarity (secchi=2.3 feet on July 22, 2025). An aquatic vegetation transect survey was done only in the southeast basin in 2025. Emergent vegetation (cattails, bulrush) is common near the channel area next to Willmar and scattered throughout the near shore areas of the northwest basin. Blue-green algae blooms are common occurrences during the late summer months of most years. Dissolved oxygen was less than 1.0 ppm at 15 feet depth and below. Water levels were low during the spring, but high by the summer of 2025. Foot Lake has been a popular fishing lake for Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass in recent years. Black Crappie numbers were abundant in 2025 (6.33 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 5.74 fish/trapnet for Foot Lake. Black Crappie gillnet catch was also high (12.67 fish/gillnet), but the average size was small (0.16 pounds) in 2025. The 2025 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.42 pounds and 8.60 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.35 pounds from trapnets. The 2025 Black Crappie catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) was high (4.17 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie growth rates were normal for ages 1-4, but below normal for ages 5-7. The 2024 and 2023 year classes comprised 42% and 29% respectively of the 2025 Black Crappie catch. The largest Black Crappie captured was 11.73 inches in 2025. Bluegill numbers were high (14.50 fish/trapnet) in 2025 compared to the historical average catch rate (10.48 fish/trapnet) for Foot Lake. Low numbers of small sized Bluegill (1.33 fish/gillnet, 0.10 pounds average weight) were captured in the 2025 gillnets. The 2025 Bluegill average size was also small in the trapnets (0.07 pounds and 4.24 inches). The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches and larger) Bluegill was low (0.50 fish/trapnet) in 2025. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.62 inches in 2025. Channel Catfish abundance was low in 2025 (0.33 fish/gillnet, 16.26 inches average). Channel Catfish were not captured in 2014 or 2020 survey nets. Channel Catfish were captured in 2009 gillnets (0.33 fish/gillnet, 15.35 inches average). Channel Catfish fingerlings (4,891 fish, 75 pounds) were last stocked into Foot during 2013. Largemouth Bass were absent from the 2025 survey nets. Largemouth Bass abundance was high in the 2020 gillnet survey (1.67 fish/gillnet). The Largemouth Bass average weight was 1.27 pounds in 2020 survey. A spring electrofishing survey was not conducted for Largemouth Bass in 2025 due to time constraints. Summer catches from gillnets and trapnets often underestimate actual Largemouth abundance due to net avoidance unlike electrofishing. Northern Pike were abundant in 2025 (11.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 4.13 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was small (2.24 pounds and 21.42 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.50 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of quality size (21.00 inches and larger) was high (5.00 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of 26.00 inches and larger was low (0.67 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The largest Northern Pike captured was 34.76 inches in 2025. Walleye numbers were low in 2025 (3.67 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 5.52 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. Walleye were abundant and slightly larger size in connected Willmar Lake (14.00 fish/gillnet, 1.41 pounds average weight). The 2025 Walleye average size was moderate (1.09 pounds and 14.01 inches) from Foot gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.72 pounds from Foot gillnets. The 2025 Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches and larger) was low (1.33 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were normal for ages 1-3 and below normal for ages 4-8. The 2023 and 2022 year classes (fry stocked) comprised 42% and 33% of the 2025 Walleye summer catch. The largest Walleye captured was 20.47 inches in 2025. Walleye natural reproduction in Foot Lake is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Walleye fry were generally stocked (150,000-670,000 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 (330,059 fry), 2021 (377,895 fry; 1,590 fingerlings, 106 pounds), 2019 (300,000 fry; 6,019 fingerlings, 521 pounds), and 2018 (357,952 fry). YOY Walleye abundance was high (186.00 YOY/hour, 6.81 inches average) in 2025 Foot fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye abundance was also high (180.00 YOY/hour, 7.09 inches average) in Willmar Lake during 2025. Young of year "YOY" Walleye (fry stockings) were previously abundant in the 2014 fall night electrofishing surveys for Foot (216.00 YOY/hour, 5.59 inches average) and connected Willmar (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches average). YOY Walleye abundance was low (15.00 YOY/hour or less) in 2016-2019 fall night electrofishing surveys for both Foot and Willmar. Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2025 (1.67 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 6.15 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.20 pounds and 7.02 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.18 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Yellow Perch catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) was low (0.67 fish/gillnet). The largest Yellow Perch captured was 9.61 inches in 2025. Black Bullhead abundance was moderate in 2025 (18.33 fish/gillnet) compared to other area lakes, but below the historical average catch rate (108.91 fish/gillnet) for Foot Lake. Low numbers of Black Bullhead were captured in the 2025 trapnets (0.67 fish/trapnet). The 2025 Black Bullhead catch rate was 11.00 fish/gillnet (0.63 pounds average weight) from nearby Willmar Lake. The 2025 Black Bullhead average size was moderate (0.56 pounds and 9.86 inches) from Foot gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.36 pounds from Foot gillnets. Common Carp abundance was low in 2025 (1.50 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 2.83 fish/trapnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 Common Carp average size was moderate (4.49 pounds and 20.57 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 4.68 pounds from trapnets. Freshwater Drum abundance was high in 2025 (7.33 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rate is 6.22 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 trapnet catch rate was 1.33 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Freshwater Drum average size was moderate (1.12 pounds and 13.64 inches) from trapnets. The 2025 Freshwater Drum average weight and length were 1.43 pounds and 14.84 inches from gillnets. The Freshwater Drum historical average weights are 1.23 pounds and 1.41 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets. Current fish management activities on Foot 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 Foot Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2030.

A standard survey was conducted on Foot 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). Foot is a moderate sized (503 acres), multi basin, aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Foot is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Foot Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. There are two distinct basins (northwest and southeast) bisected by a county road, but connected via several large culverts. A large city park "Robbin's Island" is located along the east side of the southeast basin. The Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds is located along the south shore of the northwest basin. Ridgewater College is located on the north shore of the northwest basin. There are 86 homes and several nearby apartment buildings (adjacent) on Foot Lake. There are two public boat access sites with one site on each basin, and one shore fishing pier on the north shore of the southeast basin near the two large culverts. The fishing pier is popular spot for catching Walleye, Northern Pike and Channel Catfish in the lake. Foot Lake is also connected to Willmar Lake via an upstream navigable channel. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake occurs frequently. The Foot Lake outlet is considered the headwaters of Hawk Creek, although there are several shallow lakes upstream of Foot Lake connected via ditches and inlets to Willmar Lake. The outlet dam is located along the southwest shore of the northwest basin. There are 27 inlets/tiles that enter Foot Lake. Nutrient inputs into Foot Lake are from varied sources such as road runoff via Highway 23/71, storm sewer runoff from the city of Willmar, residential lawn runoff, fecal droppings from local Canada goose populations, and agricultural runoff primarily in the northwest basin. Nutrient levels are high in Foot. Shoalwater substrates were varied in both basins with sand, silt, muck, gravel, boulder, and rubble. The northwest basin is approximately 6 feet deep maximum, moderate to abundant submergent vegetation (coontail, northern milfoil, water moss) and moderate water clarity. The southeast basin has a maximum depth of 24 feet, sparse submergent vegetation (sago pondweed) and poor water clarity (secchi=1.0 feet on July 27, 2020). Emergent vegetation (cattails, bulrush) is common near the Willmar Lake channel area and scattered throughout the near shore areas of the northwest basin. Blue-green algae blooms are common occurrences during the late summer months of most years. Dissolved oxygen levels were low (<1.0 ppm) at depths greater than 15 feet. Water levels were low during 2020. Foot Lake has been a popular fishing lake for Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass in recent years. Black Crappie numbers were moderate in 2020 (9.33 fish/gillnet, 3.83 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie historical average catch rates are 1.85 fish/gillnet and 5.67 fish/trapnet for Foot Lake. The Black Crappie average sizes was moderate from gillnets (0.33 pounds, 8.12 inches) and trapnets (0.40 pounds and 8.81 inches). The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.34 pounds from both gillnets and trapnets. The largest Black Crappie captured was 10.83 inches. Black Crappie growth rates were fair for ages 1-5. The 2018 and 2016 year classes comprised 41% and 22% respectively of the 2020 Black Crappie catch. Bluegill numbers were abundant in 2020 (23.67 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 9.98 fish/trapnet for Foot Lake. Abundant numbers of moderate sized Bluegill (5.00 fish/gillnet, 0.23 pounds average weight) were also captured in the 2020 gillnets. The 2020 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.16 pounds and 5.77 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.24 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (6.00 plus inches) Bluegill was high (12.00 fish/trapnet) in 2020. Channel Catfish were not captured in 2014 or 2020 survey nets. Channel Catfish were last captured in 2009 gillnets (0.33 fish/gillnet, 15.35 inches average length). Channel Catfish fingerlings (4,891 fish, 75 pounds) were last stocked into Foot during 2013. Largemouth Bass numbers were abundant in the 2020 gillnets (1.67 fish/gillnet). A spring electrofishing survey was not conducted for Largemouth Bass in 2020. The Largemouth Bass average weight was moderate (1.27 pounds) in 2020. Northern Pike numbers were moderate in 2020 (3.33 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 3.27 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2020 Northern Pike average size was moderate (2.81 pounds and 23.06 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.58 pounds from gillnets. Northern Pike growth rates were fair for ages 1-5. The 2015 and 2014 year classes comprised 38% and 31% respectively of the 2020 Northern Pike catch. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Foot Lake 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 (8.00 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 5.75 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. Walleye were moderately abundant and similar size in connected Willmar Lake (12.00 fish/gillnet, 2.02 pounds average weight). The 2020 Walleye average weight and length were 1.90 pounds and 16.79 inches from gillnets in Foot. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.77 pounds from gillnets. There were abundant Walleye of 15.00 plus inches (6.00 fish/gillnet) in 2020. Walleye growth rates were fair for ages 1-4, but slow for ages 5-8. The 2014 year class (fry stocked) comprised 57% of the 2020 Walleye catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Foot Lake 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; 6,019 fingerlings, 521 pounds), 2018 (357,952 fry), 2017 (404,208 fry), 2016 (504,388 fry), 2014 (499,182 fry) and 2012 (527,482 fry). Young of year "YOY" Walleye (fry stockings) were last abundant in the 2014 fall electrofishing surveys for Foot (216.00 YOY/hour, 5.59 inches average length) and connected Willmar (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 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 (3.67 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 6.71 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2020 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.13 pounds and 6.48 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.18 pounds from gillnets. The catch rate of quality size (8.00 plus inches) Yellow Perch was low (0.67 fish/gillnet) in 2020. Black Bullhead numbers were low in 2020 (1.00 fish/gillnet, 0.50 fish/trapnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate is 120.23 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2020 Black Bullhead average size was small (0.27 pounds and 7.56 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.34 pounds from gillnets. Common Carp numbers were low in 2020 (1.00 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 3.00 fish/trapnet for Foot Lake. The 2020 Common Carp average size was large (7.41 pounds and 24.65 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 4.70 pounds from trapnets. Freshwater Drum numbers were abundant in 2020 (16.33 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rate is 6.08 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2020 Freshwater Drum average size was moderate (1.25 pounds and 13.98 inches) from gillnets. Current fish management activities on Foot 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 Foot Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2025.

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Foot Lake during September 12, 2019 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Foot is a moderate sized (503 acres), multi basin, shallow, aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Foot Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. There are two distinct basins (northwest and southeast) bisected by a county road, but connected via several large culverts. Foot Lake is also connected to Willmar Lake via an upstream navigable channel. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake occurs frequently. Walleye natural reproduction in both Foot and Willmar is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous surveys. Walleye fry have been stocked (250,000 to 670,000 fry per lake) into Foot and Willmar generally during even years from 1982-2016. Walleye fry were recently stocked into Foot and Willmar 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 Foot and Willmar during 2019. No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2019 Foot electrofishing survey. Low YOY Walleye numbers were captured in the 2018 (6.00 YOY/hour, 6.89 inches) and 2017 (12.00 YOY/hour, 7.01 inches average) Foot Lake fall night electrofishing surveys. No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2016 Foot Lake fall night electrofishing survey. Low or no YOY Walleye numbers were captured in connected Willmar Lake during 2019 (15.00 YOY/hour, 7.28 inches), 2018 (0.00 YOY/hour), 2017 (3.00 YOY/hour, 6.14 inches average) and 2016 (12.00 YOY/hour, 6.94 inches average). YOY Walleye numbers were abundant during fry stocked years in other Foot fall electrofishing surveys of 2008 (472.00 YOY/hour, 5.94 inches average), 2010 (141.00 YOY/hour, 7.85 inches average) and 2014 (216.00 YOY/hour, 5.59 inches average). Moderate YOY Walleye numbers were documented in Foot during 2012 (42.00 YOY/hour, 6.74 inches average). No yearling Walleye were captured in Foot or Willmar during the 2016-2019 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 the 2019 fall due to poor fry success from 2016-2019. We observed abundant/moderate numbers of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Freshwater Drum and Common Carp 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) from the most recent 2014 standard summer survey. Foot 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, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Green Sunfish, and Northern Pike in Foot. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Foot has a maximum depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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