Windy
A 456-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 2020.
Fish Species (10)
Walleye
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020
Catch rate: 12.5 per gill net · typical 2–9.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2020 | 12.50 | 11.8" | 0.63 lbs |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 15.00 | 11.6" | 0.64 lbs |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 0.67 | 11.6" | - |
Rock Bass
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed May 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.83 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.8 for a lake like this
Size from the Jul 2020 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2020 | 4.75 | 7.5" | 0.40 lbs |
| May 25, 2016 | 0.83 | 7.1" | 0.38 lbs |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 0.78 | 7.6" | 0.42 lbs |
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020
Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net · typical 1.8–5.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2020 | 2.25 | 23.9" | 3.89 lbs |
| May 25, 2016 | 1.00 | 18.8" | 2.12 lbs |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 0.33 | 17.4" | - |
Black Crappie
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed May 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.8–4.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 2016 | 0.25 | 8.3" | 0.36 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020
Catch rate: 2.1 per gill net · typical 1.7–14.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2020 | 2.12 | 6.2" | 0.14 lbs |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 0.33 | 2.5" | 0.10 lbs |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 84.33 | 2.5" | - |
Pumpkinseed
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 1–5.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2012 | 0.75 | 3.0" | - |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 0.11 | 3.0" | 0.07 lbs |
Other species in this lake (4)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020
Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 2.3–8.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2020 | 2.00 | 14.7" | 1.63 lbs |
| May 25, 2016 | 0.17 | 12.5" | 1.27 lbs |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 5.00 | 13.4" | - |
Golden Shiner
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 55.5 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2012 | 55.50 | - | - |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 4.00 | - | - |
| Jul 9, 2009 | 7.50 | - | - |
Bluntnose Minnow
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.3 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2012 | 8.33 | - | - |
| Aug 13, 2012 | 2.25 | - | - |
| Jul 9, 2009 | 0.25 | - | - |
Iowa Darter
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2012 | 0.25 | - | - |
| Jul 9, 2009 | 1.00 | - | - |
| Jul 9, 2009 | 1.50 | - | - |
Biologist Notes
August 5, 2024A targeted survey consisting of a temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was conducted in August of 2024 to assess the habitat available to Lake Whitefi…
A targeted survey consisting of a temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was conducted in August of 2024 to assess the habitat available to Lake Whitefish in Windy Lake. Data collected during this survey will be used by the MPCA as part of an assessment of surface waters in the Lake Superior North Watershed. At the time of this survey, the TDO3 value was 18.2 degrees Celsius. This indicates that oxythermal habitat was poor for Lake Whitefish and failed to meet the water quality standard of a TDO3 of 17.2 degrees Celsius or less for lakes that support Lake Whitefish currently proposed by the MPCA. Lake Whitefish have been sampled in every standard survey of Windy Lake dating back to 1975 including the most recent survey in 2020.
August 5, 2024A targeted survey consisting of a temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was conducted in August of 2024 to assess the habitat available to Lake Whitefi…
A targeted survey consisting of a temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was conducted in August of 2024 to assess the habitat available to Lake Whitefish in Windy Lake. Data collected during this survey will be used by the MPCA as part of an assessment of surface waters in the Lake Superior North Watershed. At the time of this survey, the TDO3 value was 18.2 degrees Celsius. This indicates that oxythermal habitat was poor for Lake Whitefish and failed to meet the water quality standard of a TDO3 of 17.2 degrees Celsius or less for lakes that support Lake Whitefish currently proposed by the MPCA. Lake Whitefish have been sampled in every standard survey of Windy Lake dating back to 1975 including the most recent survey in 2020.
August 5, 2024A targeted survey consisting of a temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was conducted in August of 2024 to assess the habitat available to Lake Whitefi…
A targeted survey consisting of a temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was conducted in August of 2024 to assess the habitat available to Lake Whitefish in Windy Lake. Data collected during this survey will be used by the MPCA as part of an assessment of surface waters in the Lake Superior North Watershed. At the time of this survey, the TDO3 value was 18.2 degrees Celsius. This indicates that oxythermal habitat was poor for Lake Whitefish and failed to meet the water quality standard of a TDO3 of 17.2 degrees Celsius or less for lakes that support Lake Whitefish currently proposed by the MPCA. Lake Whitefish have been sampled in every standard survey of Windy Lake dating back to 1975 including the most recent survey in 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Windy?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch in Windy. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Windy?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Windy. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Windy?
Windy has a maximum depth of 39 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Windy last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Windy is from 2020.
Does Windy have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Windy in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 456 acres
- Max Depth
- 39 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.96 mi
- Public Access
- Yes