Volney

Lake Volney is a 283-acre lake located approximately 3 miles southeast of the town of Le Center in Le Sueur County. It is one of the deepest lakes in the Waterville Area with a maximum depth of 67 feet. Lake Volney has better water clarity than most Waterville Area lakes. A DNR-owned public access is located on the southeast side of the lake off County Road 136. Lake Volney is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. The management plan calls for stocking Walleye fry annually and Northern Pike fry are in odd years. Lake Volney is designated as a Tier-2 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program every 6 years. The 2015 survey was completed the week of 9 June 2025 using 6 gill nets, 8 trap nets, and 75 minutes of standard daytime boat electrofishing. Black Crappie was one of the most abundantly sampled species in 2025. A total of 50 Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 8.3/net. Catch rates since 1993 have varied from 0.5/net to 29.5/net with an average of 10.1/net. Lengths ranged from 6.1 inches to 11.3 inches with an average of 9.6 inches. Black Crappie were also common in the trap net sample with a catch rate of 18.5/net and an average length of 7.8 inches. Fish from both gears ranged from age-1 to age-6 with 6 year classes present. The vast majority of Black Crappie was age-2(43%) or age-5(37%). These large year classes should provide a good fishing opportunity for a few years. Growth was moderate with 8 inches exceeded by age-3. A total of 216 Bluegills were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 27.0/net. Catch rates since 1993 have varied from 5.0/net to 27.0/net with an average of 14.8/net. Black Crappie ranged from 3.6 inches to 8.9 inches with an average of 7.4 inches. An additional 8 fish ranging from 7.0 to 9.4 inches were sampled with gill nets. Fish from both gears ranged from age-3 to age-7 with 4 year classes present. The age-3 and age-4 year classes were the most abundant, making up 78 percent of the sample. Growth was fast with 6 inches reached by age-4 and 8 inches exceeded by age-5. Largemouth Bass were abundant in 2019 with 41 sampled during standard daytime boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 33.2/hour. The previous sample in 2016 was 61.9/hour. However, in 2025 a combination of clear water and heavy vegetation growth made electrofishing difficult and only 4 fish were sampled using electrofishing. Lengths in 2025 ranged from 7.4 inches to 16.9 inches with an average length of 14.0 inches. A total of 11 Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 1.8/net which was slightly higher than the long term average catch rate (1.6/net). Northern Pike ranged from 16.8 inches to 36.6 inches with an average of 27.3 inches. Eighty percent of Northern Pike sampled exceeded the legal minimum length of 24 inches. Just 7 Walleyes were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 1.2/net. The average catch rate on Lake Volney from 1993 to 2025 was 1.6/net. Walleye ranged from 9.6 inches to 23.5 inches with an average of 17.3 inches. Walleye were aged with scales and otoliths and ranged from age-1 to over age-11 with 3 year classes present. All of the sample was from years in which fry were stocked. Walleye growth was fast with quality size of 15 inches reached in the third growing season. Yellow Perch were common in 2025 with a gill net catch rate of 8.5/net. The long-term average catch rate was 14.2/net, showing Yellow Perch have historically been abundant in Lake Volney. Yellow Perch ranged from 3.3 inches to 8.8 inches with an average of 7.1 inches. The Yellow Perch population in Lake Volney should help support efforts to boost Walleye numbers while also providing a modest fishery themselves. One of the most abundant species in Lake Volney was Freshwater Drum. In 2025, a total of 102 were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 17.0/net. The average catch rate since 1993 was 33.9/net. The average length in 2025 was 11.7 inches. Although not often targeted, Freshwater Drum can provide both sport and harvest value to anglers and should be promoted as such. Common Carp are rare in Lake Volney and just 6 fish averaging 27.0 inches were sampled with all net gears in 2025. Maintaining similar numbers should prevent Common Carp from having a major impact on habitat and game fish management in Lake Volney. Other species sampled in 2025 include Golden Shiner, and Yellow Bullhead. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Volney Lake is a 283-acre lake located approximately 3 miles southeast of the town of Le Center in Le Sueur County. It is one of the deepest lakes in the Waterville Area with a maximum depth of 67 feet. Roughly 46% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. A DNR-owned public access is located on the southeast side of the lake off County Road 136. Volney lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. Volney Lake is included in a research project investigating Walleye strain performance in the Cannon River chain of lakes beginning in 2018. The management plan calls for stocking a 50:50 ratio of Lower Mississippi Strain and Mississippi Strain Walleye fry at a rate of 500/littoral acre (N = 65,000) annually. Northern Pike fry are stocked into adjacent wetlands in odd years at a rate of 250/littoral acre (N = 32,500). Volney Lake is designated as a Tier-2 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program every 6 years. The 2022 targeted survey was conducted the week of June 8, 2022, and methods were the same as a standard survey including number of nets set, net location, and time of year. Results from this targeted survey can be compared with results from standard surveys. The next survey is scheduled for 2025 and following surveys will follow the Tier-2 six-year schedule. Black Crappie were the most abundantly sampled species in 2022. A total of 177 Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 29.5/net. Black Crappie catch rates since 1993 have varied from 0.5/net to 29.5/net with a mean of 10.3/net. Black Crappie ranged from 4.3 inches to 11.7 inches with an average of 6.5 inches. Only 12 Black Crappie were greater than 8 inches long. Black Crappie ranged from age-1 to age-7 with 5 year-classes present. The largest age class was age-2. Growth was moderate with quality length of 8.0 inches exceeded by age-4. The large 2020 year-class should provide a good fishing opportunity in another 2 years or so. A total of 83 Bluegills were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 13.8/net. Bluegill lengths in 2022 ranged from 4.2 inches to 10.0 inches with a mean of 7.6 inches. Bluegills ranged from age-2 to age-6 with 5 year-classes present. Growth was fast with 6.0 inches reached by age-3 and 8.0 inches exceeded by age-4. A total of 26 Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 4.3/net, which was greater than the lake class average. Northern Pike ranged from 19.7 inches to 39.4 inches with an average of 29.5 inches. Over 90% of Northern Pike sampled exceeded the legal minimum length of 24 inches. Northern Pike ranged from age-2 to age-9 with 7 year-classes present. Growth was fast. Just 13 Walleyes were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 2.2/net, which was less than the lake class average (2.8/net). The average catch rate from 1993 to 2022 was 1.6/net. Walleye lengths in 2022 ranged from 20.5 inches to 25.8 inches with an average of 22.8 inches. Walleye ranged from age-6 to age-10 with 5 year-classes present. Most of the sample was from years in which fry were stocked. Walleye growth was moderate, reaching 15 inches in three years. The current management strategy has failed to produce a respectable Walleye catch rate and changes in the stocking plan should be considered. Perhaps additional information about Walleye strain performance will help improve Walleye numbers in Volney Lake. Yellow Perch were common in 2022 with a gill net catch rate of 10.8/net, which was just above the lake class average (10.5/net). The long-term mean catch rate was 13.8/net, showing Yellow Perch have historically been abundant in Lake Volney. Yellow Perch lengths in 2022 ranged from 5.2 inches to 10.4 inches with an average of 7.0 inches. Approximately 20% of the sample exceeded 8.0 inches in length. Growth was relatively fast with Yellow Perch reaching 8.0 inches by year 4. The Yellow Perch population in Lake Volney should help support efforts to boost Walleye numbers while also providing a modest fishery themselves. One of the most abundant species in Volney Lake was Freshwater Drum. In 2022, a total of 105 Freshwater Drum were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 17.5/net. The catch rate in 2019 was 26.0/net and the average catch rate since 1993 was 35.5/net. The average Freshwater Drum length in 2022 was 13.9 inches. Although not often targeted, Freshwater Drum can provide both sport and harvest value to anglers and should be promoted as such. Other species sampled in 2022 included Largemouth Bass and Yellow Bullhead. Water clarity was good. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 9.2 ppm and 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 0.2 ppm and 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit at 40 feet. A thermocline was detected at approximately 20 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 recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community 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. It is important for all who use this waterbody to remember Clean In and Clean Out. CLEAN all visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other prohibited invasive species from watercraft, trailers, and water-related equipment before leaving and entering any water access or shoreland. DRAIN water-related equipment (boat, ballast tanks, portable bait containers, and motor) and drain bilge, livewell and baitwell by removing drain plugs before leaving a water access or shoreline property. Keep drain plugs out and water-draining devices open while transporting watercraft. DISPOSE of unwanted bait, including minnows, leeches, and worms, in the trash. It is illegal to release bait into a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody to another. If you want to keep your bait, you must refill the bait container with bottled or tap water. 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. 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. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Volney Lake is a 283-acre lake located approximately 3 miles southeast of the town of Le Center in Le Sueur County. It is one of the deepest lakes in the Waterville Area with a maximum depth of 67 feet. Roughly 46% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Despite having better water clarity than most Waterville Area lakes, it is still considered eutrophic due to elevated nutrient levels. A DNR-owned public access is located on the southeast side of the lake off County Road 136. Volney Lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. Volney Lake is included in a research project investigating Walleye strain performance in the Cannon River chain of lakes beginning in 2018. The management plan calls for stocking a 50:50 ratio of Lower Mississippi and Mississippi Strain Walleye fry at a rate of 65,000 annually. Wetlands adjacent to Volney Lake are stocked with 32,500 Northern Pike fry in odd years. Volney Lake is designated as a Tier-2 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program every 6 years. The 2019 standard survey was completed the week of June 10, 2020 using 6 gill nets, 9 trap nets, and 74 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (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, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Black Crappie were one of the most abundantly sampled species in 2019. A total of 87 were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 14.5/net, indicating moderate to high numbers were present. Since 1993, catch rates varied from 0.5/net to 17.5/net with an average of 8.1/net. Lengths ranged from 4.7 inches to 11.1 inches with an average of 6.2 inches. The sample displayed poor size structure with only 2 fish over 8 inches long. Black Crappie were also common in the trap net sample with a catch rate of 8.2/net and a mean length of 6.2 inches. Fish from both gears ranged from 1 to 5 years old with 4 year classes present. The vast majority of Black Crappie were 2 years old. Growth was moderate with quality length of 8 inches exceeded by year 4. The large 2017 year class should provide a good fishing opportunity in another 2 years or so. A total of 70 Bluegills were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 7.8/net, indicating low to moderate numbers were present. Since 1993, catch rates have varied from 5.0/net to 21.3/net with an average of 13.3/net. The catch rate in 2014 was 11.6/net. Lengths in 2019 ranged from 2.9 inches to 8.9 inches with an average of 7.3 inches. Approximately 40% of the sample were greater than 8 inches in length. An additional 9 fish ranging from 4.3 to 9.2 inches were sampled with the gill nets. Fish from both gears ranged from 1 to 4 years old with 4 year classes present. The age-3 year class from 2016 was the most abundant. Growth was fast with 6 inches reached by year 3 and 8 inches exceeded by year 4. Largemouth Bass were abundant in 2019 with 41 sampled with standard boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 33.2/hour. Lengths ranged from 4.4 inches to 19.1 inches with an average length of 12.7 inches. Five more Largemouth Bass ranging from 14.3 to 20.6 inches were sampled with net gears. Largemouth Bass ranged from 1 to 10 years old with 10 year classes present. Three and four year old fish accounted for approximately 55% of the sample. Growth was moderate with 12 inches exceeded by year 4. The habitat in Volney Lake is well suited for Largemouth Bass and the 2019 sample reflected that. A total of 29 Northern Pike were sampled with the gill nets for a catch rate of 4.8/net, indicating moderate numbers were present. This was by far the highest catch rate since 1993 when the average catch rate was just 1.2/net. Lengths ranged from 21.5 inches to 30.9 inches with an average of 27.2 inches. Over 85% of Northern Pike sampled exceeded the legal minimum length of 24 inches. Three more Northern Pike averaging 24.3 inches were sampled with trap nets. Fish from both gears ranged from 2 to 4 years old with 3 year classes present. Approximately 63% of the sample was from 2016 (age-3), which was a non-stocked year. Growth was fast with fish reaching 24 inches in their third year of growth. Just 14 Walleyes were sampled with the gill nets for a catch rate of 2.3/net, indicating low to moderate numbers were present. The catch rate in 2014 was 1.8 and the average catch rate from 1993 to 2019 was 1.5/net. Walleye ranged from 11.0 inches to 25.9 inches with an average of 20.4 inches. Size structure was good with over 40% of the sample greater than 20 inches. Fish were 2 to over 15 years old with 7 year classes present. About half the sample was from years in which fry were stocked. Growth was moderate with 15 inches reached in the third growing season. Yellow Perch were common in 2019 with a gill net catch rate of 11.8/net, indicating moderate numbers were present. The long-term average catch rate was 14.2/net, showing Yellow Perch have historically been abundant in Volney Lake. Yellow Perch ranged from 5.8 inches to 10.2 inches with an average of 7.6 inches. Approximately 30% of the sample exceeded 8 inches in length. Growth was relatively fast with 8 inches exceeded by year 3. The Yellow Perch population in Volney Lake should help support efforts to boost predator fish numbers while also providing a modest fishery themselves. One of the most abundant species in Volney Lake was Freshwater Drum. In 2019 a total of 156 were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 26.0/net. The catch rate in 2014 was 9.8/net and the average catch rate since 1993 was 37.5/net. The mean length in 2019 was 12.9 inches. Although not often targeted, Freshwater Drum can provide both sport and harvest value to anglers. Common Carp are rare in Volney Lake and just 7 fish averaging 25.5 inches were sampled with trap nets in 2019 for a catch rate of 0.8/net. Since 1993, catch rates have varied from 0.0/net to 2.6/net with an average of 1.0/net. Maintaining similar numbers should prevent Common Carp from having a major impact on habitat and game fish management in Volney Lake. Other species sampled in 2019 include Black Bullhead, Golden Shiner, and Yellow Bullhead. Water clarity was good with a secchi depth of 16.5 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 10.0 ppm and 69.4 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 3.7 ppm and 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit at 30 feet. A thermocline was detected at approximately 15 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. - Sky Wigen, fisheries specialist

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

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

Volney has a maximum depth of 67 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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