Popowski

Popowski Lake is located 4 miles north and 2 miles east of Ivanhoe in Lincoln County. Popowski is approximately 140 acres and a large portion of the lake lies within the boundaries of a State Wildlife Management Area (WMA). There is no designated boat ramp but access to the lake can be gained through road rights-of-way and the WMA. High water levels have improved accessibility in recent years. This standard survey was conducted to determine the status of the fishery. Walleyes were moderately abundant with fish from 14-27 inches. Yellow perch were abundant with many from 6-8 inches and some reaching 10 inches. Both species have experienced sporadic, but at times, good recruitment. Black crappies and largemouth bass were present in previous surveys but were not caught in 2025. Walleye fry were stocked during the spring of 2025 to supplement the population. With good growth those walleyes should be 14-15 inches by the summer of 2027.

Popowski Lake is located four miles north and two miles east of Ivanhoe in Lincoln County. Popowski is approximately 140 acres and does not contain a public boat ramp. A large portion of the lake lies within the boundaries of a State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and is subject to WMA regulations. Historically Popowski was a high quality waterfowl lake with shallow, clear water and abundant vegetation. During the past 30 years Popowski's depth increased from two to 12 feet. Its water clarity declined and dense phytoplankton blooms have frequently occurred. Walleye were abundant in 2012 with most fish measuring 14 or 20 inches. Walleye growth has been good with fish reaching 14 inches after only two summers. Yellow perch were abundant with many fish present from 5-13 inches. Both species have experienced very sporadic, but at times very good, recruitment. Black bullhead were abundant but somewhat small with most fish less than eight inches. Black crappie and largemouth bass were not caught in 2012, although they were present during the last assessment conducted in 2001. Future management activities include fish population assessments.

This was an initial fish survey conducted on Popowski Lake. Above normal precipitation has greatly increased the size and depth of Popowski Lake over the last 15 years. A 1967 game lake survey recorded a maximum depth of 1.5 feet compared to a 12.0 foot maximum found in 2001. Anglers harvested high numbers of large yellow perch during the winters of 1997 and 1998. Perch were sampled in low abundance in 2001. Perch were small, measuring 5-7 inches. Reproduction should increase as small perch become mature. However, a quality perch fishery is a few years away. Black crappie were also sampled in low abundance. Crappie measured 5-12 inches, with the majority 8-10 inches. Black crappie growth was exceptional. Age 4+ fish averaged 11.8 inches compared to the southern Minnesota average of 8.3 inches. Five walleye and one largemouth bass were caught in the 2001 survey. Walleye measured 16-23 inches and the bass measured 13.7 inches. Due to the low abundance of these two species, it is unclear whether self-sustaining populations exist. Black bullhead, fathead minnow and white sucker where also sampled during the 2001 survey. Black bullhead were abundant and most measured 5-8 inches. Young-of-year bullhead were sampled in low abundance. Fisheries management activities for Popowski Lake include annual winter dissolved oxygen monitoring and fishing pressure counts, and development of a management plan.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Popowski. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Popowski has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

No invasive species are on record for Popowski in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.