Point

A targeted survey was conducted on Point Lake during mid-July to early September of 2025. The 2025 survey consisted of standard summer trapnets for sampling all fish species, summer shoreline seining for near shore fish, and fall night electrofishing for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye. 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). Point is a small (174 acres), moderately deep (32 feet maximum), and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Point is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. A small island is present in addition to numerous standing dead hardwood trees in the water due to higher water levels in recent years. An extensive winterkill occurred in Point Lake during the 1996-1997 winter due to low oxygen levels. Other previous winterkills occurred during the 1974-75 and 1988-89 winters during low water years. Winterkill is generally rare for Point Lake, but it is susceptible during winters with high snowfall accumulations. Water levels were low during 2020-2023. A significant winterkill occurred during January-March of 2023 on Point Lake. High snowfall events and a prolonged winter (mid-March ice out) contributed to low winter oxygen levels in many shallow area lakes during 2023. Water levels returned to normal in the summer of 2024. Water levels were below normal during the spring, but above normal by the summer of 2025. The immediate watershed is comprised mostly of hardwoods, wetlands, highway frontage, and 23 residential homes (2020 survey). There are four small inlets and one outlet to Eagle Lake. The outlet culvert has a movable gate valve cover. Fish movement is minimal to none between Point and Eagle due to fish barriers and the steep drainage slope of the culvert. Total phosphorus was low to moderate (0.028 ppm) on June 8, 2009. Water clarity was good (average satellite calculated value=10.56 feet) for Point Lake during July of 2025. Aquatic vegetation (sago pondweed, muskgrass "chara", northern milfoil, hardstem bulrush and coontail) is usually abundant throughout the lake. Shoalwater substrates are mostly silt, sand and gravel. Pelicans and cormorants are commonly observed on the lake. The DNR Spicer Fisheries Office manages Point Lake for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Walleye. A variety of nearshore fish species (i.e., Iowa Darter, Golden Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Bluntnose Minnow, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Brook Stickleback, Northern Redbelly Dace, Tadpole Madtom and Central Mudminnow) and larger fish species (i.e., Bowfin, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch) were stocked after the winterkill during 2023 and 2024. Targeted surveys were also conducted in 2023 (Fall electrofishing and trapnetting) and 2024 (Fall electrofishing and shoreline seining) following the 2023 winterkill. In the 2023 targeted survey, the only fish sampled from 2023 late-May 1/2" mesh trapnets were 1 Green Sunfish, 1 Black Bullhead and 8 Bluegill (probably stocked). A fall electrofishing survey was conducted on 9/12/2023 to assess young of year "YOY" Walleye numbers due to the 2023 fry stocking. No YOY Walleye were observed in the 2023 fall night electrofishing survey. We observed other fish species present in the fall electrofishing survey which included 10 Northern Pike (7-15 inches), 3 adult Largemouth Bass, numerous YOY Largemouth Bass (3+ inches), 4 Adult Bullhead (7-12 inches), 25 YOY Bullhead, 1 Yellow Perch (4 inches), 5 YOY Black Crappie (4 inches) and numerous YOY Bluegill (1-3 inches). In the 2024 targeted survey, moderate numbers of YOY Bluegill (221 fish) were captured in shoreline seining. Low numbers of adult Brown Bullhead, adult Yellow Bullhead, Young of Year "YOY" Largemouth Bass, adult Largemouth Bass, YOY Yellow Perch, YOY Green Sunfish, YOY Hybrid Sunfish and adult Bluegill were also caught in the seine hauls. We observed abundant numbers of Bluegill (1-6 inches) and Largemouth Bass (3-6 inches); moderate numbers of Northern Pike (16-20 inches), Yellow and Brown Bullhead (8-12 inches); low numbers of Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Rock bass and adult Largemouth Bass in the 2024 September night fall electrofishing survey. No YOY or yearling/adult Walleye were captured in the 2024 September fall night electrofishing survey. Walleye fry were not stocked in 2024. In the 2025 targeted survey, we captured 9 fish species by shoreline seining. These species included Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Blacknose shiner, Bluegill (YOY and age 1+ fish), Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish (YOY), Largemouth Bass (YOY and age 1+ fish), Pumpkinseed Sunfish and Yellow Perch (YOY and age 1+ fish). Both Largemouth Bass and Bluegill were abundant in the 2025 shoreline seine hauls. Black Crappie abundance moderate in 2025 (1.33 fish/trapnet), but above the 2020 survey (0.44 fish/trapnet, 0.15 pounds average size). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 0.22 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Black Crappie average size was small (0.19 pounds and 6.38 inches) from trapnets. Black Crappie catch rate was 3.00 fish/hour with an average length of 8.23 inches from 2025 fall electrofishing. Adult pre-spawn Black Crappie were stocked during 2001 (114 fish, 38 pounds), 2002 (158 fish, 79 pounds) in Point Lake. Black Crappie were also stocked in 2023 (50 yearlings, 5 pounds; 70 adults 35 pounds), 2024 (3,193 yearlings, 103 pounds; 70 adults, 35 pounds) and 2025 (2,925 yearlings, 162.5 pounds) after the 2023 winterkill. Bluegill abundance was high in 2025 (76.00 fish/trapnet). Bluegill abundance was 43.22 fish/trapnet in 2020. The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 44.30 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Bluegill average size was small (0.05 pounds and 4.00 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.11 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches and larger) Bluegill was low (1.89 fish/trapnet) in 2025. Largemouth Bass abundance was high (21.00 fish/hour) in 2025 fall electrofishing survey. The Largemouth Bass average length was moderate (9.61 inches) from 2025 fall electrofishing. Largemouth Bass abundance was moderate (1.00 fish/trapnet, 0.34 pounds average weight) in 2025 trapnets. The Largemouth Bass historical average catch rate is 1.06 fish/trapnet. The largest Largemouth Bass captured was 14.57 inches in 2025. Northern Pike abundance was high (1.33 fish/trapnet) in 2025 trapnets. The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 0.54 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was small (1.31 pounds and 18.36 inches) from trapnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.99 pounds from trapnets. Northern Pike catch rate was high (12.00 fish/hour) with a small average length of 18.85 inches from 2025 fall electrofishing. The largest Northern Pike captured was 21.81 inches in 2025. Walleye abundance was low in 2025 (0.67 fish/trapnet). Walleye abundance was low in 2020 survey (0.22 fish/trapnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 0.81 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Walleye average size was moderate (1.28 pounds and 15.49 inches) from trapnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.54 pounds from trapnets. No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2025 fall electrofishing survey. Moderate numbers of Walleye adults (3.00 fish/hour, 16.34 inches average) were captured in the 2025 fall electrofishing survey. Walleye growth rates were normal for ages 1-2, but below normal for age 3-5. Walleye year classes present were from 2023, 2022 and 2020 with each comprising 33.3% of the 2025 Walleye trapnet catch. The largest Walleye captured was 18.94 inches in 2025. Recent Walleye stockings occurred in 2020 (532 yearlings, 283 pounds; 50 adults, 100 pounds), 2022 (8,468 fingerlings, 292 pounds), 2023 (50,842 fry; 2,933 fingerlings, 118.5 pounds; 101 yearlings, 61 pounds; 10 adults, 20 pounds), 2024 (35 yearlings, 9 pounds; 75 adults, 150 pounds) and 2025 (51,135 fry). Yellow Perch abundance was moderate (1.33 fish/trapnet) in 2025. Yellow Perch abundance was 0.56 fish/trapnet in 2020. The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 1.39 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was large (0.29 pounds and 8.01 inches) from trapnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.19 pounds from trapnets. Recent Yellow Perch stockings occurred in 2021 (4,602 adults, 366 pounds), 2023 (1,245 adults, 143.5 pounds), 2024 (167 adults, 16 pounds) and 2025 (4,005 yearlings, 222.5 pounds; 375 adults, 125 pounds). Black Bullhead were absent in 2025. Black Bullhead abundance was low (0.11 fish/trapnet) in 2020 survey. The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate is 84.34 fish/trapnet in Point. Brown Bullhead abundance was moderate (4.67 fish/trapnet) in 2025. Brown Bullhead average weight was small (0.16 pounds) in 2025 trapnets. Brown Bullhead have been documented in previous Point Lake surveys. Yellow Bullhead abundance was low (0.89 fish/trapnet) in 2025 trapnets. Yellow Bullhead average weight was large (0.79 pounds) in 2025 trapnets. Current fish management activities on Point 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, periodic winter oxygen monitoring, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species in Point Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2030.

A targeted survey was conducted on Point Lake during August and September of 2024 to determine natural reproduction success of various fish species. 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 spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Shoreline seining was attempted at four stations to assess natural reproduction in August of 2024. A fall night electrofishing survey was conducted at five stations to assess abundance of previously stocked Walleye. Water clarity was fair. Submergent vegetation was abundant during seining and electrofishing. The water temperature was 75 F for seining and fall electrofishing. Point is a small (174 acres), moderately deep (32 feet maximum), and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Point is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. A small island is present in addition to numerous standing dead hardwood trees in the water due to higher water levels during past years. An extensive winterkill occurred in Point Lake during the 1996-1997 winter due to low oxygen levels. Other previous winterkills occurred during the 1974-75 and 1988-89 winters during low water years. Winterkill is generally rare for Point Lake, but it is susceptible during winters with high snowfall accumulations and low water years. Water levels were low during 2020-2023. A significant winterkill occurred during January-March of 2023 on Point Lake. High snowfall events and a prolonged winter (mid-March ice out) contributed to low winter oxygen levels in many shallow area lakes during 2023. Water levels returned to normal in 2024. Moderate numbers of YOY Bluegill (221 fish) were captured in the 2024 shoreline seine hauls. Low numbers of adult Brown Bullhead, adult Yellow Bullhead, Young of Year "YOY" Largemouth Bass, adult Largemouth Bass, YOY Yellow Perch, YOY Green Sunfish, YOY Hybrid Sunfish and adult Bluegill were also caught in the seine hauls. We observed abundant numbers of Bluegill (1-6 inches) and Largemouth Bass (3-6 inches); moderate numbers of Northern Pike (16-20 inches), Yellow and Brown Bullhead (8-12 inches); low numbers of Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Rock bass and adult Largemouth Bass in the September night fall electrofishing survey. No YOY or yearling/adult Walleye were captured in the 2024 September fall night electrofishing survey. No YOY or Yearling Walleye were captured in the 2024 September fall night electrofishing survey. Walleye adults (75 fish, 150 pounds) and yearlings (35 fish, 9 pounds) were stocked in October of 2024. Various sizes of Walleye were stocked in 2023 (50,842 fry; 3,034 fingerlings, 119 pounds; 101 yearlings, 51 pounds). Various other fish species were stocked into Point during 2023 to stimulate natural reproduction following the 2023 winterkill. Stocked gamefish species included Largemouth Bass (80 adults, 186 pounds; 47 fingerlings, 20 pounds), Bluegill (160 adults, 40 pounds), Black Crappie (70 adults, 35 pounds; 50 yearlings, 5 pounds), Walleye (50,842 fry; 2,933 fingerlings, 119 pounds; 10 adults, 20 pounds) and Yellow Perch (1,245 adults, 144 pounds) during 2023. Also stocked in 2023 were various species of Darters, Shiners and Minnows. Current fish management activities on Point include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, 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, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. A standard survey will be conducted on Point Lake for all fish species in 2027. Additional targeted surveys and stockings may occur prior to 2027.

A targeted survey was conducted on Point Lake during May and September of 2023 to determine the extent of winterkill and stocking success. 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 spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Point is a small (174 acres), moderately deep (32 feet maximum), and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Point is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. A small island is present in addition to numerous standing dead hardwood trees in the water due to higher water levels in recent years. An extensive winterkill occurred in Point Lake during the 1996-1997 winter due to low oxygen levels. Other previous winterkills occurred during the 1974-75 and 1988-89 winters during low water years. Winterkill is generally rare for Point Lake, but it is susceptible during winters with high snowfall accumulations and low water years. Water levels were low during 2020-2023. A significant winterkill occurred during January-March of 2023 on Point Lake. High snowfall events and a prolonged winter (mid-March ice out) contributed to low winter oxygen levels in many shallow area lakes during 2023. Spring night electrofishing was conducted on 5/2/2023 to assess winterkill extent after numerous dead fish of all species was reported seen after ice out. No live fish were sampled after 15-20 minutes of electrofishing. That night we transferred 80 adult pre-spawn Largemouth Bass and 40 adult pre-spawn Black Crappie from nearby Long Lake. We transferred a total of 160 adult Bluegill (4-8 inches) and 70 adult Black Crappie (8-12 inches) to Point on 5/26/2023 and 6/1/2023 from Willmar Lake. We stocked Walleye fry (50,842 fish) on 5/15/2023. Three single frame trapnets (1/2-inch bar measure) were set on 5/30/2023 to further evaluate the fishery. A total of eight adult Bluegill, one Black Bullhead and one Green Sunfish were sampled. The adult Bluegill were assumed to be from the recent stocking of 5/26/2023. A fall electrofishing survey was conducted on 9/12/2023 to assess young of year "YOY" Walleye numbers due to the fry stocking. No YOY Walleye were observed in the fall night electrofishing survey. We observed other fish species present in the fall electrofishing survey which included ten Northern Pike (7-15 inches), three adult Largemouth Bass, numerous YOY Largemouth Bass (3+ inches), four Adult Black Bullhead (7-12 inches), 25 YOY Black Bullhead, one Yellow Perch (4 inches), five YOY Black Crappie (4 inches) and numerous YOY Bluegill (1-3 inches). Additional fish stockings occurred after the 2023 fall electrofishing survey which included Yellow Perch (1,245 fish, 143.5 pounds) and yearling Walleye (101 fish, 61 pounds). Current fish management activities on Point include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, 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, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. A standard survey will be conducted on Point Lake for all fish species in 2027. Additional targeted surveys and stockings may occur prior to 2027.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill in Point. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Point has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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