Tetonka

A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Tetonka Lake on 29 October 2025 using 1 hour 30 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. A total of 35 age-0 Walleyes were sampled for a catch rate of 23.3/hour on-time. Catch rates during fry-stocked years (n = 15) have averaged 57.7/hour on-time while non-stocked years (n = 7) have averaged 64.9/hour on-time. The mean length in 2025 was 8.1 inches. The robust catch rates during non-stocked years suggests natural reproduction plays an important role in Walleye recruitment in Tetonka Lake.

A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Tetonka Lake on 11 November 2023 using 1 hour 40 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. A total of 225 age-0 Walleyes were sampled for a catch rate of 134.7/hour on-time. Catch rates during fry-stocked years (n = 14) have averaged 64.2/hour on-time while non-stocked years (n = 6) have averaged 64.9/hour on-time. The mean length in 2023 was 7.0 inches. The robust catch rates during non-stocked years suggests natural reproduction plays an important role in Walleye recruitment in Tetonka Lake.

Tetonka Lake is a 1,336-acre lake located on the west side of the town of Waterville in Le Sueur County. Tetonka Lake has a maximum depth of 35 feet with approximately 41% of the lake less than 15 feet deep. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency describes the lakes overall water quality condition as, "Not always suitable for swimming and wading due to low clarity or excessive algae caused by the presence of nutrients such as phosphorus in the water." A DNR owned ramp is located on the west side of Antl Bay, and a city owned ramp is located in town on the Cannon River. The lake is designated as infested due to the presence of Eurasian Watermilfoil. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and secondarily for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. The current management plan calls for stocking 274,000 Walleye fry annually. Tetonka Lake is designated as a Tier-1 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program at a frequency of every 3 years. The 2023 survey was completed the week of 31 July 2023 using 12 gill nets and 11 trap nets. Spring sampling for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass was conducted 2 June 2023 and consisted of 80 minutes of daytime electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also measured. A total of 57 Walleyes were sampled in 2023 for a catch rate of 4.8/net. The 2023 catch rate was the highest catch rate since 1994 and was more than double the lake average (2.1/net). Catch rates have varied from 1.2/net to 4.8/net with an average of 2.1/net since 1994. The previous catch rate was 2.5/net in 2020. Lengths in 2023 ranged from 7.5 inches to 26.2 inches with a mean of 17.4 inches. Walleye ranged from age-1 to age-12 with 10 year classes present. The 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 year classes were well represented. Growth was fast with quality length of 15 inches surpassed by age-3. Northern Pike were sampled in high numbers in 2023 with a catch rate of 6.6/net. The 2023 Northern Pike catch rate was nearly triple the 1994-2023 mean of 2.4/net. Northern Pike ranged from 21.5 inches to 32.2 inches with an average of 26.7 inches. Approximately 85% of Northern Pike exceeded the legal minimum length limit of 24 inches. Eight Largemouth Bass were sampled with daytime electrofishing for a catch rate of 6.0/hour. No Smallmouth Bass were sampled in 2023. The mean Largemouth Bass catch rate since 1994 is 30.0/hour and the mean Smallmouth Bass catch rate is 0.5/hour for the same period. Largemouth Bass sampled in 2023 ranged from 9.3 inches to 15.7 inches with an average length of 13.7 inches. Black Crappie were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 4.1/net. Black Crappie were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 3.4/net. The 2023 gill net and trap net catch rates were less than the previous survey (gill nets in 2020, trap nets in 2021) but were both greater than lake average since 1995. Black Crappie sampled in gill nets ranged from 5.3 inches to 12.0 inches with an average of 8.5 inches. Black Crappie sampled with trap nets ranged from 5.6 inches to 10.6 inches with an average of 8.1 inches. Black Crappie from both gears were aged using scales and otoliths. Black Crappie ranged from age-1 to age-6 with no missing year classes within that range indicating consistent recruitment. Growth was moderate with quality length of 8 inches reached around age-3 to age-4. A total of 64 Bluegills were sampled for a catch rate of 5.8/net in 2023. Bluegills ranged from 3.2 inches to 8.5 inches with an average of 4.4 inches. Bluegill were aged using scales and otoliths and ranged from age-1 to age-5. Bluegill grow fast in Tetonka Lake often reaching 7 inches by age-3 or age-4. Yellow Perch were sampled at just 1.2/gill net after being sampled at historically high numbers in 2020. Catch rates have varied from 1.2/net to 41.2/net with an average of 10.8/net since 1994. Yellow Perch in 2023 ranged from 7.6 inches to 8.8 inches with an average of 8.1 inches. Yellow Perch are an important prey species, and the low catch rate may be due to increased numbers of Walleye in Tetonka Lake and the Cannon River system. Only 5 Black Bullheads and 12 Yellow Bullheads were sampled in 2023. Black Bullheads were a common species in Tetonka Lake and were targeted frequently. A sharp decline in Black Bullhead numbers was observed starting in the 1990s. Improved water quality appears to be responsible for this decline and resulted in a resurgence in less tolerant native species such as Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. A total of 38 Common Carp were sampled in 2023 for a catch rate of 3.5/trap net. High Common Carp numbers can negatively impact lake water quality and habitat and efforts to reduce or eliminate them should be considered. Other Species sampled in 2023 include Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), Golden Shiner, and White Sucker. Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of 3.0 feet. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 10.6 ppm at the surface to 0.1 ppm below 18 feet. Water temperature ranged from 78.1 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit at 27 feet. A thermocline was detected around 21 feet. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. - Brandon Eder, assistant area supervisor

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

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

Tetonka has a maximum depth of 35 feet and a mean depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Tetonka is from 2023.

Yes — Tetonka has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and flowering rush. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.