School Grove

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on School Grove during September 8, 2025 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Three stations were sampled for a total of 30 minutes at night. Water temperature was 74.8 F. Water clarity was 6 inches. We saw abundant numbers of Black Bullhead (5 inches). Moderate numbers of adult Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo were also observed in the 2025 fall electrofishing survey. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (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, trapnets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). School Grove is a small (318 acres), shallow (11 feet maximum), aerated, and productive lake located in Lyon County. School Grove can potentially connect to Lady Slipper Lake via a north shore wetland during extreme high-water events. Intense blue-green algal blooms are common during the mid-summer and into the fall just prior to ice formation. A winterkill of Black Crappie, Walleye, Common Carp, Black Bullhead and Channel Catfish occurred during February of 2010. The winterkill was not complete, but numbers of all fish species were significantly reduced. Low numbers of Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Yellow Perch and White Sucker were captured in the 2010 ice out trapnets. A significant winterkill occurred on nearby Cottonwood Lake during January of 2013, but not on School Grove or Lady Slipper. A significant winterkill of Common Carp occurred during the 2018-19 winter on School Grove. An intense blue-green algae bloom was present during the late fall just prior to ice up. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. Dissolved oxygen levels decreased rapidly to less than 1 ppm even though open water was present at the aeration site (not running) in early December of 2018. The aeration system was unable to be used due to open water at the site for signage during early December of 2018. The aeration system was on by January 3, 2019. There were low numbers of distressed and dying fish of all species near an inlet southwest of the nearby access on January 3, 2019. We observed numerous dead floating Common Carp during early May 2019 netting, but no Walleye or other gamefish. We caught one Black Crappie, three Yellow Perch and 3 Black Bullhead in the three 2019 May trapnets. Nearby Lady Slipper had low numbers of dead fish visible with a few Yellow Perch and abundant Black Bullhead and small Common Carp in the 2019 spring trapnets. No winterkills were observed in other nearby lakes such as Cottonwood, Wood Lake, and Tyson. Lake Elizabeth (shallow aerated lake) in Kandiyohi County had a similar 2019 winterkill result consisting of mostly dead Common Carp and lesser amounts of gamefish to that of School Grove. Winter oxygen levels were low in February of 2023 on School Grove due in part to heavy snowfall events. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. Ice out occurred in mid-March of 2023. There were reports of winterkill (Common Carp and Walleye) in the spring of 2023 in both School Grove and Lady Slipper. Nearby Sham Lake (Walleye rearing pond) also had a significant winterkill in 2023. Three trapnets were set in early May of 2023 to assess winterkill. Abundant numbers of Black Bullhead and low numbers of other species (White Sucker, Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo) were captured in the trapnets. No gamefish were captured. Winter oxygen levels were adequate during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 winters due to mild winter conditions. The aeration system was not operated during the 2025-26 mild winter due to high oxygen levels (14-17 ppm). Walleye natural reproduction has been generally insignificant based on previous surveys for School Grove. Walleye fry (approximately 100,000 to 350,000) have been stocked into School Grove recently during 2016-2017, 2019, 2021-2025. Approximately 124,769 Walleye fry were stocked in 2025. Walleye fry are currently scheduled for annual stockings. In 2019, Walleye adults (826 fish, 793 pounds) and fingerlings (1,820 fish, 61 pounds) were stocked in School Grove. Walleye adults and yearlings were stocked in 2020 (33 adults, 65 pounds; 264 yearlings, 132 pounds). Low numbers of small sized YOY Walleye were captured in 2025 fall night electrofishing survey (4.00 YOY/hour, 5.20 inches). Two-year-old (2023 year class) Walleye were abundant (54.00 fish/hour) but were stunted (7.11 inches) in 2025. Abundant small sized YOY Walleye numbers were captured in 2023 fall daytime electrofishing survey (84.00 YOY/hour, 4.51 inches). Low YOY Walleye numbers (12.00 YOY/hour, 8.07 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye from spring fry stockings were present in 2017 (186.00 YOY/hour, 4.38 inches average length) and 2014 (324.00 YOY/hour, 5.50 inches average length) fall night electrofishing surveys. No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2016 fall electrofishing survey. The fall electrofishing historical average catch rate and length are 87.46 YOY/hour and 5.69 inches respectively for School Grove. The highest fall night electrofishing catch rate of YOY Walleye for School Grove occurred in the 2012 fry stocked year (353.33 YOY/hour). No fall electrofishing surveys were conducted during 2020-2022 and 2024. Walleye numbers were abundant in the 2022 survey (42.50 fish/gillnet). The historical catch rate is 18.02 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.18 pounds and 17.56 inches respectively from gillnets. The 2017 Walleye year class (fry and adult stockings) comprised 56% of the 2022 Walleye survey catch. The 2021 and 2019 Walleye year classes (fry, fingerling, yearling, and adult stockings from 2019-2021) comprised 24% and 12% respectively of the 2022 Walleye survey catch. It is unclear how many pre 2019 Walleye year classes survived the 2019 winterkill due to restocking of adults and fingerlings in 2019-2021. Adult Walleye numbers from 2022 year classes and prior were significantly reduced after 2023 due to the 2022-2023 winterkill. Current fish management activities on School Grove include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the sportsman's club with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The School Grove fishery will be sampled in the summer of 2027 for all fish species and periodically for YOY Walleye by fall electrofishing.

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on School Grove during September 11, 2023 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Three stations were sampled for a total of 30 minutes at dusk. Water temperature was 71 F. Water clarity varied from 6-18 inches. Sago pondweed was rare. We saw abundant numbers of Black Bullhead (3-5 inches). Moderate numbers of adult Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo were also observed in the 2023 fall electrofishing survey. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (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, trapnets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). School Grove is a small (318 acres), shallow (11 feet maximum), aerated, and productive lake located in Lyon County. School Grove can potentially connect to Lady Slipper Lake via a north shore wetland during extreme high water events. Intense blue-green algal blooms are common during the mid-summer. A winterkill of Black Crappie, Walleye, Common Carp, Black Bullhead and Channel Catfish occurred during February of 2010. The winterkill was not complete, but numbers of all fish species were significantly reduced. Low numbers of Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Yellow Perch and White Sucker were captured in the 2010 ice out trapnets. A significant winterkill occurred on nearby Cottonwood Lake during January of 2013, but not on School Grove or Lady Slipper. A significant winterkill of Common Carp occurred during the 2018-19 winter on School Grove. An intense blue-green algae bloom was present during the late fall just prior to ice up. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. Dissolved oxygen levels decreased rapidly to less than 1 ppm even though open water was present at the aeration site (not running) in early December of 2018. The aeration system was unable to be used due to open water at the site for signage during early December of 2018. The aeration system was on by January 3, 2019. There were low numbers of distressed and dying fish of all species near an inlet southwest of the nearby access on January 3, 2019. We observed numerous dead floating Common Carp during early May 2019 netting, but no Walleye or other gamefish. We caught one Black Crappie, three Yellow Perch and 3 Black Bullhead in the three 2019 May trapnets. Nearby Lady Slipper had low numbers of dead fish visible with a few Yellow Perch and abundant Black Bullhead and small Common Carp in the 2019 spring trapnets. No winterkills were observed in other nearby lakes such as Cottonwood, Wood Lake, and Tyson. Lake Elizabeth (shallow aerated lake) in Kandiyohi County had a similar 2019 winterkill result consisting of mostly dead Common Carp and lesser amounts of gamefish to that of School Grove. Winter oxygen levels were low in February of 2023 on School Grove due in part to heavy snowfall events. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. Ice out occurred in mid-March of 2023. There were reports of winterkill (Common Carp and Walleye) in the spring of 2023 in both School Grove and Lady Slipper. Nearby Sham Lake (Walleye rearing pond) also had a significant winterkill in 2023. Three trapnets were set in early May of 2023 to assess winterkill. Abundant numbers of Black Bullhead and low numbers of other species (White Sucker, Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo) were captured in the trapnets. No gamefish were captured. Walleye natural reproduction has been generally insignificant based on previous surveys for School Grove. Walleye fry (approximately 200,000 to 350,000) have been stocked into School Grove recently during 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Approximately 175,800 Walleye fry were stocked in 2023. Walleye fry are currently scheduled for annual stockings. Walleye adults/yearlings (362 fish, 228 pounds) and fingerlings (134 fish, 33.5 pounds) were in 2010. In 2019, Walleye adults (826 fish, 793 pounds) and fingerlings (1,820 fish, 61 pounds) were stocked in School Grove. Walleye adults and yearlings were stocked in 2020 (33 adults, 65 pounds; 264 yearlings, 132 pounds). Abundant YOY Walleye numbers were captured in 2023 (84.00 YOY/hour, 4.51 inches). Low YOY Walleye numbers (12.00 YOY/hour, 8.07 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye from spring fry stockings were present in the 2017 (186.00 YOY/hour, 4.38 inches average length) and 2014 (324.00 YOY/hour, 5.50 inches average length) fall electrofishing surveys. No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2016 fall electrofishing survey. The fall electrofishing historical average catch rate and length are 93.68 YOY/hour and 5.72 inches respectively for School Grove. The highest fall electrofishing catch rate of YOY Walleye for School Grove occurred in the 2012 fry stocked year (353.33 YOY/hour). No fall electrofishing surveys were conducted from 2020-2022. Walleye numbers were abundant in the 2022 survey (42.50 fish/gillnet) on School Grove. The historical catch rate is 18.02 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.18 pounds and 17.56 inches respectively from gillnets. The historical average lengths were 14.87 and 16.21 inches from gillnets and trapnets respectively. The 2022 catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches plus) Walleye was high (34.00 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for age 1-8. The 2017 Walleye year class (fry and adult stockings) comprised 56% of the 2022 Walleye survey catch. The 2021 and 2019 Walleye year classes (fry, fingerling, yearling, and adult stockings from 2019-2021) comprised 24% and 12% respectively of the 2022 Walleye survey catch. It is unclear how many pre 2019 Walleye year classes survived the 2019 winterkill due to restocking of adults and fingerlings in 2019-2021. Adult Walleye numbers may be significantly reduced as of 2023 due to partial winterkill during the 2022-2023 winter. Current fish management activities on School Grove include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the sportsman's club with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The School Grove fishery will be sampled in the summer of 2027 for all fish species and periodically for YOY Walleye by fall electrofishing.

A standard survey of School Grove was conducted during mid-June of 2022. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (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, trapnets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). School Grove is a small (318 acres), shallow (11 feet maximum), aerated, and productive lake located in Lyon County. School Grove is a popular local lake for shore fishing and boat fishing of various species (Walleye, Black Crappie and Black Bullhead). The watershed and shoreline are predominately agricultural row crops with a narrow fringe of hardwoods or cattails. There are only 6 homes/farm sites in addition to several recreational vehicles located near the lake. A public access and rest area is located on the northwest side. Water quality and clarity conditions are often poor in School Grove due to agricultural runoff. There are 9 inlets (tile and marsh connections) and an outlet that eventually connects to the Redwood River. School Grove can potentially connect to Lady Slipper Lake via a north shore wetland during extreme high water events. Intense blue-green algal blooms are common during the mid-summer. Water clarity was poor (2.0 feet) on June 21, 2022. Sago pondweed was the most commonly occurring submergent vegetation species in 2022. Emergent vegetation consisted mostly of cattail species and bulrush species along the north and northeast shore areas. Other aquatic vegetation species present included filamentous algae and water moss. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, boulder, silt, gravel, and rubble. School Grove has a history of commercial fish removal for Black Bullhead, Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo. A winterkill of Black Crappie, Walleye, Common Carp, Black Bullhead and Channel Catfish occurred during February of 2010. The winterkill was not complete, but numbers of all fish species were significantly reduced. Low numbers of Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Yellow Perch and White Sucker were captured in the 2010 ice out trapnets. A significant winterkill occurred on nearby Cottonwood Lake during January of 2013, but not on School Grove or Lady Slipper. A significant winterkill of Common Carp occurred during the 2018-19 winter on School Grove. An intense blue-green algae bloom was present during the late fall just prior to ice up. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. Dissolved oxygen levels decreased rapidly to less than 1 ppm even though open water was present at the aeration site (not running) in early December of 2018. The aeration system was unable to be used due to open water at the site for signage during early December of 2018. The aeration system was on by January 3, 2019. There were low numbers of distressed and dying fish of all species near an inlet southwest of the nearby access on January 3, 2019. We observed numerous dead floating Common Carp during early May 2019 netting, but no Walleye or other gamefish. We caught one Black Crappie, three Yellow Perch and 3 Black Bullhead in the three 2019 May trapnets. Nearby Lady Slipper had low numbers of dead fish visible with a few Yellow Perch and abundant Black Bullhead and small Common Carp in the 2019 spring trapnets. No winterkills were observed in other nearby lakes such as Cottonwood, Wood Lake, and Tyson. Lake Elizabeth (shallow aerated lake) in Kandiyohi County had a similar 2019 winterkill result consisting of mostly dead Common Carp and lesser amounts of gamefish to that of School Grove. Gamefish often become susceptible to winterkill when oxygen levels are less than 1 ppm for an extended period. Oxygen levels were low during February of 2023 due mostly numerous heavy snowfall events. The aeration system (northeast bay) was turned on January 3, 2023. It was unable to provide adequate oxygen levels due to late ice out and snowfall events. There were reports of winterkill (Common Carp and Walleye) in the spring of 2023. We caught abundant numbers of Black Bullhead (all sizes) from ice out trapnets during late April of 2023. Low numbers of Common Carp (all sizes), White Sucker (adults) and Bigmouth Buffalo (adults) were also caught in the ice out trapnets. No gamefish (Walleye, Yellow Perch or Black Crappie) were captured in the trapnets. Winterkill was more prevalent in southern and western Minnesota shallow lakes in 2023 than during other years. The 2022 summer survey results are no longer valid due to significant winterkill in 2023. Bigmouth Buffalo abundance was low (1.00 fish/gillnet and 0.33 fish/trapnet) in 2022. The historical average catch rates are 2.43 fish/gillnet and 0.06 fish/trapnet. The average sizes were small from gillnets (1.65 pounds and 14.1 inches), but large from trapnets (10.56 pounds 25.4 inches). Black Bullhead were abundant (212.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate is 159.08 fish/gillnet. Black Bullhead numbers were also high in the 2022 trapnets (168.89 fish/trapnet, 7.3 inches average). The 2022 Black Bullhead average size was small (0.18 pounds and 6.7 inches) from gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average lengths are 7.7 inches and 8.0 inches respectively from gillnets and trapnets. Black Crappie abundance was moderate (3.67 fish/trapnet) in 2022 compared to similar lakes. The historical catch rate is 14.01 fish/trapnet. No Black Crappie were caught in the 2022 gillnets. Black Crappie numbers were moderate in 2017 (3.22 fish/trapnet), but absent in the 2012 resurvey nets. Black Crappie were abundant in the 2007 (70.89 fish/trapnet) and 2002 (51.78 fish/trapnet) surveys, however the 2010 winterkill significantly reduced the Black Crappie population. The 2022 Black Crappie average size was large (0.77 pounds and 10.8 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average length is 8.2 inches from trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were excellent for ages 1-6. The 2020 and 2016 Black Crappie year classes comprised 30% and 36% respectively of the 2022 Black Crappie survey catch. The largest Black Crappie captured was 13.0 inches in 2022. Channel Catfish were absent in 2022, 2017 and 2012 survey nets due to the 2010 winterkill. Channel Catfish were abundant in 2007 (6.00 fish/gillnet). Channel Catfish fingerlings/yearlings had been stocked periodically from 1986 to the last stocking in 2006 (3,213 fingerlings, 17 pounds). Common Carp abundance was low (0.50 fish/gillnet and 1.44 fish/trapnet) in 2022. The historical average catch rates are 9.35 fish/gillnet and 1.87 fish/trapnet. Common Carp average weights were small from gillnets (0.92 pounds), but moderate from trapnets (5.50 pounds). The historical average weights are 1.35 pounds and 4.23 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets. Green Sunfish (0.11 fish/trapnet, 6.3 inches average length) was the only sunfish species captured in the 2022 survey nets. Abundant Green Sunfish numbers were captured in 2012 (5.11 fish/trapnet). White Sucker abundance was moderate (2.50 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The historical average catch rate is 1.32 fish/gillnet. The 2022 average size was large (2.31 pounds and 17.7 inches). The historical average weight and length are 1.77 pounds and 14.7 inches from gillnets. Yellow Perch abundance was low (1.00 fish/gillnet) in 2022. The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 5.00 fish/gillnet. The 2022 average size was large (0.51 pounds and 10.1 inches) from gillnets. The historical average weight and length are 0.34 pounds and 8.6 inches from gillnets. Yellow Perch growth rates were excellent for ages 1-6. Yellow Perch adults were stocked in 2015 (1,785 fish, 357 pounds) and 2019 (1,110 fish, 180 pounds). Walleye natural reproduction has been generally insignificant based on previous surveys and analysis for School Grove. Walleye fry (approximately 200,000 to 350,000) have been stocked into School Grove recently during 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022. Walleye adults/yearlings (362 fish, 228 pounds) and fingerlings (134 fish, 33.5 pounds) were in 2010. In 2019, Walleye adults (826 fish, 793 pounds) and fingerlings (1,820 fish, 61 pounds) were stocked in School Grove. Walleye adults and yearlings were stocked in 2020 (33 adults, 65 pounds; 264 yearlings, 132 pounds). Low young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers (12.00 YOY/hour, 8.1 inches) were captured in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye from spring fry stockings were present in the 2017 (186.00 YOY/hour, 4.4 inches average length) and 2014 (324.00 YOY/hour, 5.5 inches average length) fall electrofishing surveys. No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2016 fall electrofishing survey. The fall electrofishing historical average catch rate and length are 93.26 YOY/hour and 5.82 inches respectively for School Grove. The highest fall electrofishing catch rate of YOY Walleye for School Grove occurred in the 2012 fry stocked year (353.33 YOY/hour). No fall electrofishing surveys were conducted from 2020-2022. Walleye were abundant (42.50 fish/gillnet) in the 2022 survey. The historical catch rate is 18.02 fish/gillnet. The 2022 Walleye average weight and length were 2.18 pounds and 17.6 inches respectively from gillnets. The historical average length is 14.87 from gillnets. The 2022 catch rate of quality size (15.0 inches plus) Walleye was high (34.00 fish/gillnet). The 2022 catch rate of preferred size (20.0 inches plus) Walleye was also high (13.00 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were excellent for age 1-8. The 2017 Walleye year class (fry and adult stockings) comprised 56% of the 2022 Walleye survey catch. The 2021 and 2019 Walleye year classes comprised 24% and 12% respectively of the 2022 Walleye survey catch. It is unclear how many pre 2019 Walleye year classes survived the 2019 winterkill due to restocking of adults and fingerlings in 2019-2021. Local anglers reported catching a variety of Walleye sizes in the 2022 summer and fall. Current fish management activities on School Grove include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the sportsman's club with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The School Grove fishery will be sampled in the summer of 2027 for all fish species and in the fall of 2023 for YOY Walleye.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Walleye, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch in School Grove. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

School Grove has a maximum depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in School Grove is from 2022.

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