Lac Qui Parle

Lac qui Parle (LQP) Lake is located three miles southwest of Milan in western Minnesota. It is a 5,589 acre impoundment of the Minnesota River with a maximum depth of 15 feet. LQP Lake's water level is controlled by Churchill Dam, which is located one-half mile downstream on the Minnesota River. Watersheds that drain into LQP Lake include the Upper Minnesota, Yellow Bank, Lac qui Parle, Pomme de Terre and a portion of the Chippewa. LQP Lake is managed for flood water storage by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and some years water levels will fluctuate by more than five feet. LQP Lake can become extremely turbid during strong winds due to sediment suspension. The lake can also experience dense blooms of blue-green algae. These factors all negatively impact the food web and desirable fish species. Even though challenging habitat conditions have been common at LQP Lake, several game fish species have maintained good populations. This 2025 Targeted Survey was conducted to collect routine fish population data using gill nets and fall night electrofishing. These data can be compared to historical Standard and Targeted Survey data from LQP Lake. LQP Lake has often provided good walleye fishing. The walleye population has resulted from stocking, natural reproduction, and migration from upstream water bodies. A low to moderate walleye population was present in 2025. Walleyes were present from a wide range of sizes, with those from 14-16 inches most abundant. Relatively high numbers of naturally produced young-of-year walleyes were present and those fish should contribute to the fishery within a couple years if adequate forage is present to provide good survival and growth. A possession limit of 4 walleyes per person is in effect for LQP lake. In the last several surveys, crappie numbers have been lower than their peak abundance in the 2010's, and anglers have reported slower fishing during the last two years. Many crappies were 10-12 inches in this survey, with some over 13 inches. A possession limit of 5 crappies per person is in effect for LQP Lake. Moderate numbers of northern pike were present with some over 38 inches. Anglers and spearers have reported good pike fishing during recent years. Pike have exhibited relatively consistent natural reproduction regardless of spring water levels. They probably find suitable spawning habitat in wetlands adjacent to the lake created by beaver dams or along the edges of emergent vegetation in bay areas. LQP Lake is in the southern northern pike management zone and the possession limit is two pike with a minimum size limit of 24 inches. See the Minnesota Fishing Regulations for more details. High numbers of freshwater drum were present from 10-12 inches. Small drum are an important food for many species of fish, however large drum compete with game fish for resources. Anglers are encouraged to harvest drum. They are good to eat, especially if the small amounts of red meat are trimmed from the fillets. Drum are an excellent choice for a fish fry since they can be easy to catch in high numbers. Channel catfish were abundant from a wide range of sizes, with some over 26 inches. Very little angling for catfish has been known to occur. Considering their high numbers and large sizes, catfish enthusiasts should consider a trip to LQP Lake. Future management activities for LQP Lake include annual fish surveys, walleye stocking and winter dissolved oxygen monitoring. Zebra mussels are present in the lake. Please remember to drain all water from boats, motors, compartments, and containers before leaving the lake, and to keep drain plugs out while transporting watercraft.

Lac qui Parle (LQP) Lake is located three miles southwest of Milan in western Minnesota. It is a 5,589 acre impoundment of the Minnesota River with a maximum depth of 15 feet. LQP Lake's water level is controlled by Churchill Dam, which is located one-half mile downstream on the Minnesota River. Watersheds that drain into LQP Lake include the Upper Minnesota, Yellow Bank, Lac qui Parle, Pomme de Terre and a portion of the Chippewa. LQP Lake is managed as a flood control reservoir and some years water levels will fluctuate by more than five feet. LQP Lake can become extremely turbid during strong winds due to sediment suspension. The lake can also experience dense blooms of blue-green algae. These factors all negatively impact the food web and desirable fish species. Even though challenging habitat conditions have been common at LQP Lake, several game fish species continue to maintain decent populations. This 2024 Targeted Survey was conducted to collect routine fish population data using gill nets, shoreline seining and fall night electrofishing. The data can be compared to historical Standard and Targeted Survey data from LQP Lake. LQP Lake has often provided good walleye fishing. The walleye population has resulted from stocking, natural reproduction, and migration from upstream water bodies. Similar to recent years, the 2024 walleye population was moderate. Walleye were present from a wide range of sizes, with those from 12-14 inches most abundant. Relatively high numbers of naturally produced young-of-year walleyes were present and those fish should contribute to the fishery within a couple years if adequate forage is present to provide good survival and growth. In the last several surveys, crappie numbers have been lower than their peak abundance in the 2010's, however fishing has remained good in recent years. Many crappies were 10-12 inches in this survey, with some up to 14 inches. Moderate numbers of northern pike were present with some over 35 inches. Anglers and spearers have reported good pike fishing during recent years. Pike have experienced relatively consistent natural reproduction regardless of spring water levels. They probably find suitable spawning habitat in wetlands adjacent to the lake created by beaver dams or along the edges of emergent vegetation in bay areas. LQP Lake is in the southern northern pike management zone and the possession limit is two pike with a minimum size limit of 24 inches. See the Minnesota Fishing Regulations for more details. High numbers of freshwater drum were present. Small drum are an important food for many species of fish, however large drum compete with game fish for resources. Anglers are encouraged to harvest drum. They are good to eat, especially if the small amounts of red meat are trimmed from the fillets. Drum are an excellent choice for a fish fry since they can be easy to catch in high numbers. Channel catfish were abundant from a wide range of sizes. Very little angling for catfish has been known to occur. Considering their high numbers and large sizes, catfish enthusiasts should consider a trip to LQP Lake. Future management activities for LQP Lake include annual fish surveys, walleye stocking and winter dissolved oxygen monitoring. Zebra mussels are present in the lake. Please remember to drain all water from boats, motors, compartments, and containers before leaving the lake, and to keep drain plugs out while transporting watercraft.

Lac qui Parle (LQP) Lake is located three miles southwest of Milan in western Minnesota. It is a 5,589 acre impoundment of the Minnesota River with a maximum depth of 15 feet. LQP Lake's water level is controlled by Churchill Dam, which is located one-half mile downstream on the Minnesota River. Watersheds that drain into LQP Lake include the Upper Minnesota, Yellow Bank, Lac qui Parle, Pomme de Terre and a portion of the Chippewa. LQP Lake is managed as a flood control reservoir and some years water levels will fluctuate by more than five feet. LQP Lake can become extremely turbid during strong winds due to sediment suspension. The lake can also experience dense blooms of blue-green algae. These factors all negatively impact the food web and desirable fish species. Even though challenging habitat conditions have been common at LQP Lake, several game fish species continue to maintain decent populations. This 2023 Targeted Survey was conducted to collect routine fish population data using gill nets, shoreline seining and fall night electrofishing. This data can be compared to historical Standard and Targeted Survey data from LQP Lake. LQP Lake has frequently provided good walleye fishing. The walleye population has resulted from stocking, natural reproduction, and migration from upstream water bodies. Walleye numbers in 2023 were moderate and similar to recent years. Walleye were present from a wide range of sizes, with those from 13-15 inches most abundant. Decent numbers of young walleyes were also found in 2023 which should contribute to the fishery within a year or two. However, this depends on whether adequate forage is present to provide good survival and growth. Crappie fishing has been very good for many years. The crappie population has typically been higher when the walleye population has been lower. Crappies were moderately abundant, with the 2023 catch similar to that from the 2022 survey. Many crappies were 10-12 inches and good numbers of smaller fish were also present which should help maintain the population into the future. Low numbers of northern pike were present, but some fish were over 40 inches. Anglers and spearers have reported good pike fishing during recent years. Pike have experienced relatively consistent natural reproduction regardless of spring water levels. They probably find suitable spawning habitat in wetlands adjacent to the lake created by beaver dams, or along the edges of emergent vegetation in bay areas. LQP Lake is in the southern northern pike management zone and the possession limit is two pike with a minimum size limit of 24 inches. See the Minnesota Fishing Regulations for more details. High numbers of freshwater drum were present. Small drum are an important food for many species of fish, however large drum compete with game fish for resources. Anglers are encouraged to harvest drum. They are good to eat, especially if the small amounts of red meat are trimmed from the fillets. Drum are an excellent choice for a fish fry since they can be easy to catch in high numbers. Channel catfish were abundant from a wide range of sizes. Very little angling for catfish has been known to occur. Considering their high numbers and large sizes, catfish enthusiasts should consider a trip to LQP Lake. Future management activities for LQP Lake include annual fish surveys, walleye stocking and winter dissolved oxygen monitoring. Zebra mussels exist in the lake. Please remember to drain all water from boats, motors, compartments, and containers before leaving the lake, and to keep drain plugs out while transporting watercraft.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, White Crappie, and Walleye in Lac Qui Parle. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Lac Qui Parle has a maximum depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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