West Jefferson

West Jefferson Lake is a 441-acre lake located approximately 3 miles south-southeast of the town of Cleveland in Le Sueur County. A DNR-maintained public access is located on the east side of the lake off County Highway 15. The maximum depth is 24 feet with 79% of the lake less than 15 feet deep. West Jefferson Lake is considered eutrophic with generally poor water clarity and frequent algae blooms caused by elevated nutrient levels. West Jefferson Lake is designated as an infested water body due to the establishment of Eurasian Watermilfoil. West Jefferson Lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie and Bluegill and secondarily for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. The current management plan calls for stocking 25,000 Northern Pike fry every other year in odd years, and 87,250 Walleye fry annually. Recent stocking events include Northern Pike in 2021 and 2023 and Walleye fry in 2021 through 2024. West Jefferson Lake is managed along with Middle Jefferson Lake, East Jefferson Lake, and German Lake as part of a chain of lakes known collectively as the Jefferson Chain. Since these lakes are openly connected to one another, fish migration must be considered, and management is coordinated as such. West Jefferson Lake was surveyed the week of 22 July 2024 as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. The survey was completed to assess the fish community using 9 gill nets, 9 trap nets, and spring boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also measured. Black Crappie was the most common species sampled in the gill nets (23.9/net) and second most abundant in trap nets (44.4/net). Both sample numbers were down from the historic high catch rates in 2021 of 43.8/GN and 70.8/TN. Black Crappie sampled with trap nets ranged from 5.0 to 12.4 inches with an average of 8.9 inches while Black Crappie sampled with gill nets ranged from 4.5 to 9.9 inches with an average of 8.1 inches. Black Crappie ranged from age-1 to age-11 with 10 year classes present. Age-1 (average length- 5.2 inches) and age-5 (average length- 9.1 inches) fish made up 66-percent of the sampled Black Crappie. Like other lakes in the Jefferson Chain, West Jefferson supports an abundant Black Crappie population. A total of 435 Bluegills were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 48.3/net. Historically, Bluegill catch rates have varied between 5.5/net and 89.2/net with an average of 37.1/net. Bluegills ranged from 3.9 to 8.4 inches in length with an average of 7.0 inches. An additional 196 Bluegills, ranging from 3.6 to 8.2 inches, were sampled with gill nets. Bluegills ranged from age-1 to age-8 with 8 year classes present. Age-2 (5.2 inches) and age-3 (6.2 inches) Bluegills accounted for 53% of the sample. The Bluegill population of West Jefferson Lake appears healthy, yet efforts should be made by anglers to selectively harvest small and medium sized fish which are more abundant to help improve the size structure. A total of 16 Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets in 2024 for a catch rate of 1.8/net. Northern Pike catch rates have been variable over the years with catch rates falling below 2.0/net in five samples and exceeding 6.0/net in two. Northern Pike ranged from 17.0 to 32.9 inches total length with an average of 24.5 inches. Approximately 50% of Northern Pike sampled exceeded the legal minimum length of 24 inches. Despite stocking, Northern Pike catch rates continue be inconsistent in West Jefferson Lake. However, length data suggest moderate growth rates to the 24 inch limit and beyond. Largemouth Bass were sampled with spring boat electrofishing in 2024. A total of 86 Largemouth Bass were sampled for a catch rate of 75.0/hour. Largemouth Bass ranged from 3.9 to 16.7 inches total length with an average of 9.2 inches. West Jefferson Lake offers quality Largemouth Bass habitat and is conducive to quality bass fishing. Just 3 Walleyes, ranging from 19.3 to 23.3 inches, were sampled in 2024. Only twice since 1994 has the Walleye catch rate exceeded 0.5/net. Only one Walleye was able to be aged, it belonged to the 2014 year class which aligns with the 2014 stocked year class that had also shown up strong in other Jefferson Chain surveys in the past. Just 4 Black Bullheads were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 0.4/net, which was near the lowest catch rate on record. Historically, Black Bullheads have been very abundant in West Jefferson Lake. In five surveys from 1994 to 2013, Black Bullheads catch rates exceeded 100.0/net 3 times with an average of 114.8/net. The recent decline follows with an area-wide trend of declining Black Bullhead numbers. On the other hand, Yellow Bullheads increased to an all-time high of 9.1/net in 2021. In 2024, that number dropped back down to 1.8/net, near historic numbers. This suggests the lake has been more stable in recent years and, in the absence of winterkill, this trend should continue. Common Carp gill net numbers set an all-time low of 0.1/net. Common Carp catch rates varied from 0.1/net to 6.6/net with an average of 2.3/net between 1994 and 2024. The increased stability and health of the Jefferson Chain is reflected in the decline of Black Bullhead and Common Carp numbers. Other species sampled in 2024 include Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), Golden Shiner, Longnose Gar, Pumpkinseed, White Crappie, and Yellow Perch. Water quality measurements included water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and secchi depth. Water clarity was poor to moderate with a secchi depth of 3.2 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 7.9 ppm and 78.1 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 0.1 ppm and 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit at 22 feet. A thermocline was present at 14.0 feet and dissolved oxygen fell below 2.0 ppm at 11.0 feet. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

A survey targeting age-0 Walleyes was conducted at West Jefferson Lake for the first time on 12 September 2021 using 80 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. No age-0 Walleyes were sampled or observed. Past Walleye management in West Jefferson has consisted of frequent fry stockings and has failed to result in anything but low gill net catch rates during summer surveys. With the expanded production of Lower Mississippi Strain Walleye fry, perhaps there remains hope for producing a good Walleye year class in the future.

A survey targeting age-0 Walleyes was conducted at West Jefferson Lake for the first time on 12 September 2021 using 80 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. No age-0 Walleyes were sampled or observed. Past Walleye management in West Jefferson has consisted of frequent fry stockings and has failed to result in anything but low gill net catch rates during summer surveys. With the expanded production of Lower Mississippi Strain Walleye fry, perhaps there remains hope for producing a good Walleye year class in the future.

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

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

West Jefferson has a maximum depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in West Jefferson is from 2024.

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