Winsted

Winsted is a medium sized lake (382 acres) located near the City of Winsted in McLeod County. A small state-owned access with a single cement boat ramp is located on the southeast shore. Winsted has four miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 12 feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Winsted is a class 43 lake and other similar lakes in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Swan and Hook. Winsted Lake is aerated during the winter to provide a small refuge area for fish during severe winters. Winter anglers are advised to stay clear of thin ice signs. Fish populations can fluctuate widely from year to year due to winterkill. Winsted Lake experienced a partial winterkill in 2021 and game fish populations declined substantially from the previous two surveys (2009 and 2015). Winsted is known for its decent crappie, Northern Pike, and Walleye angling. The highlight of the 2021 standard survey was the record high catch of Black Crappie. Unfortunately, only 1 fish was over 6 inches in length. However, fish growth following a partial winterkill can be fast and the high numbers of 4 to 5 inch long crappie could provide excellent fishing in a year or two. Walleye and Channel Catfish were not sampled in the 2021 summer survey. Extremely low numbers of Northern Pike (1), Bluegill (1) and Largemouth Bass (3) were netted this summer. Adult Bluegill and LargemouthBass, plus Walleye fry, were stocked in the spring of 2021 following the partial winterkill and prior to this netting. The goal of stocking broodstock adults is for those adult fish to spawn in the spring and hopefully produce large year classes that same year. If successful, those fish should grow to catchable sizes within a few years and reproduce, re-establishing a diverse game fish community. The 2021 lake management plan for Winsted Lake calls for Walleye fry to be stocked every other year. Other species that anglers may encounter include Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local DNR office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

A targeted survey (standard summer gill netting), focusing on walleye, was conducted at Winsted Lake in 2015. A spring night-time electrofishing survey (standard spring time period), targeting largemouth bass, was also conducted. Black crappie, northern pike, and walleye were listed as a primary species, while bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and channel catfish were listed as secondary species in the lake management plan. In 2015, water clarity was fair. The color of the lake was green, due to an algae bloom. A fishing pier was present at the Winsted city park on the west side of the lake. An aeration system is operated by the Winsted Lake Watershed Association, to reduce the frequency and severity of winterkill at Winsted Lake. Winter anglers and spearers need to especially cautious of the thin ice and open water area. No severe winterkills have been documented for many years at Winsted. Curly-leaf pondweed, an invasive aquatic plant, was present at Winsted and can reach nuisance levels, especially in May and June. Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (39) of walleye for a catch rate of 4.3/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. Walleye were only gill netted one other time (1994) at Winsted, between 1974 and 2015. The 1994 catch rate was 0.1/net. In 2015, gill netted walleye were 13.4 inches to 22.0 inches long with an average of 16.9 inches. Approximately 51% of the gill net catch was 17 inches or longer, indicating a quality size structure. Walleye were 2 and 4 years old with 2 year-classes present. Age-2 and age-4 fish corresponded to years when walleye fry were stocked in Winsted, accounting for 100% of the gill net aged fish. Growth of walleyes was considered fast. The current walleye fry stocking regime (382,450 fry every-other-year) was initiated in 2011 and appears to be working. Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (64) of northern pike for a catch rate of 7.1/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was 3.2/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.5/net to 13.7/net with an average of 6.1/net, indicating a moderate abundance most years. In 2015, gill netted northern pike were 11.9 inches to 29.2 inches long with an average of 20.5 inches. Approximately 34% of the sample was 22 inches or longer, indicating a good size structure. Northern pike were not aged in 2015, but the size distribution indicated that multiple year-classes were present. Gill nets sampled low numbers (21) of yellow perch for a catch rate of 2.4/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was 36.9/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.0/net to 36.9/net with an average of 12.9/net. Gill netted yellow perch were 5.4 inches to 9.5 inches long with an average of 7.2 inches. Approximately 29% of the catch was 8 inches or longer. Yellow perch were not aged. Yellow perch were likely an important forage base for walleye and northern pike. Gill nets sampled low numbers (12) of channel catfish for a catch rate of 1.3/net. The 2009 catch rate was higher at 5.7/net. Historic gill net catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were mostly low, ranging from 0.0/net to 5.7/net with an average of 1.0/net. Channel catfish were 8.6 inches to 29.7 inches long with an average of 18.5 inches. Channel catfish were not aged, but the size distribution indicated that multiple year-classes were present. The presence of four 8.5 to 9.5 inch fish likely indicated that natural reproduction was occurring within Winsted. Channel catfish have never been stocked in Winsted Lake. They likely moved over the outlet dam during a flood event, establishing themselves at Winsted. Gill nets sampled high numbers (541) of black crappie for a catch rate of 60.1/net, which was above the normal range and the highest ever recorded at Winsted. The 2009 catch rate was also high at 29.3/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.0 /net to 60.1/net with an average of 15.0/net. In 2015, black crappies were 4.0 inches to 11.1 inches long with an average of 6.6 inches. Approximately 4% of the gill net catch was 9 inches or longer. Growth was slow for black crappie. Fishing should get even better over the next couple of years as fish grow to a more acceptable size. Spring night-time electrofishing sampled 14 largemouth bass for a catch rate of 10.5/hr, which was the lowest ever recorded at Winsted Lake. The 2009 catch rate was 36.8/hr. Historic catch rates from 2007 to 2015 ranged from 10.5/hr to 103.5/hr with an average of 50.3/hr. In 2015, Largemouth bass were 7.6 inches to 17.4 inches long with an average of 13.7 inches. Approximately 79% of the catch was 13 inches or longer. Largemouth bass were 2 to 6 years old with 4 year-classes present. Overall, growth was fast. Gill nets, not being the standard gear used to assess bluegill populations, only sampled 2 fish in 2015. However, the two fish that were caught were impressive (8.2 and 8.3 inches long), indicating that quality sized fish were present at Winsted Lake. Gill nets sampled low to moderate numbers (11) of common carp for a catch rate of 1.2/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2009 catch rate was 0.6/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were variable, ranging from 0.3/net to 65.3/net with an average of 11.6/net. Gill netted common carp were 8.9 inches to 25.3 inches long, indicating that multiple year-classes were present. Gill nets sampled low numbers (102) of black bullhead for a catch rate of 11.3/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake and the lowest ever measured at Winsted. The 2009 catch rate was similar at 14.8/net. Catch rates from 1974 to 2015 were highly variable ranging from 11.3/net to 294.3/net with an average of 90.1/net. Gill netted black bullhead were 9.1 inches to 11.6 inches long with an average of 10.6 inches. Approximately 24% of the gill net sample was 11 inches or longer, indicating a population that should appeal to black bullhead anglers.

A resurvey was conducted at Winsted Lake in 2009 to evaluate the lake's physical, chemical, biological characteristics. A total of 14 different species of fish were sampled. Winsted has a history of partial winterkills, with the latest documented kill occurring winter 1999-2000. The latest aeration system and/or a series of mild winters, over the last 10 years, may be reducing winterkill frequency at Winsted Lake. Winsted's lakeshed (17,048 acres) was dominated by row crop agriculture. The lakeshed to lake ratio was 45:1. Agricultural erosion, in the form of a silt delta, can be found at the north end of the lake. Roughly 50% of the shoreline was developed, with residential being the dominant coverage. Aquatic vegetation was sparse and with little diversity (4 submergent varieties). All submergent vegetation varieties were classified as rare. Blue-green algae and filamentous algae were the only plant varieties classified as common. Curlyleaf pondweed was common in early May, 2009. Many areas of the lake, where curlyleaf pondweed had reached nusisance levels, were treated with an aquatic herbicide after a DNR permit was issued. For shoalwater substrates, sand was ranked as abundant and silt was ranked common. All other substrates were classified as rare. Dissolved oxygen dropped below 2 mg/l just off of the bottom (10.5') on 7/6/09. Water clarity was poor, due to an intense algal bloom, with a secchi disk reading of 1.9 feet in early July. Gill nets sampled 29 northern pike for a catch rate of 3.2/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2004 catch rate was 7.2/net. The latest three catch rates (1994-2009) indicated a slight downward trend in the number of fish caught per net. Northern pike were 21.6 to 29.9 inches long averaging 25.6 inches. Trap nets sampled fish up to 31.9 inches in length. Northern pike were 2 to 6 years old with 4 year-classes present. Growth was moderate. Anglers should expect low to moderate numbers of nice sized northern pike from Winsted. Gill nets sampled 332 yellow perch for a catch rate of 36.9/net, which was above the normal range for this type of lake. The 2004 catch rate was similar at 35.2/net. The latest four catch rates indicated an upward trend in the number of fish caught per net. Yellow perch were 5.2 to 9.9 inches long averaging 7.7 inches. Yellow perch were 1 to 4 years old with 4 year-classes present. Age 2 fish accounted for 52% of the sample. Only 2% of the gill net catch was over age 3 in 2009. Growth was fast. Spring night-time electrofishing sampled 49 largemouth bass for a catch rate of 36.8/hr of electrofisher on-time. The 2007 catch rate was 103.5/hr. Largemouth bass were 6.9 to 18.2 inches long averaging 10.9 inches. Largemouth bass were 1 to 7 years old with 5 year-classes present. Growth was fast. Mild winters and/or winter aeration, plus a recent increase in curlyleaf pondweed abundance appear to be benefiting largemouth bass at Winsted Lake. Gill nets sampled 51 channel catfish for a catch rate of 5.7/net. Only 1 was gill netted in 2004. Gill netted fish were 15.0 to 22.4 inches long averaging 19.3 inches. Trap nets also sampled high numbers of channel catfish (6.1/net). Channel catfish were 1 to 4 years old with 4 year-classes present. The strong 2005 year-class (age 4) accounted for 88% and 65% of the gill net and trap net catches, respectively. Channel catfish (3) were first sampled at Winsted Lake in a 2003 ice-out trap netting assessment. Channel catfish may have swam up Judicial Ditch #1 from the South Fork of the Crow River and immigrated over Winsted's outlet dam during a flood event in the early 2000's. Channel catfish, are thought to be predators on black bullhead, and may be partially responsible for the low numbers at Winsted Lake. Gill nets sampled 5 carp for a catch rate of 0.6/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake. The 2004 catch rate was 2.4/net. Carp were 14.5 to 30.6 inches long averaging 21.9 inches. The trap net catch rate was 1.3/net, which was within the normal range. The past four catch rates (1990-2009) for both gill and trap nets indicated downward trends in carp numbers at Winsted Lake. Gill nets sampled 133 black bullhead for a catch rate of 14.8/net, which was below the normal range for this type of lake. Trap nets sampled even lower numbers of black bullhead (1.3/net). Gill nets sampled 6 yellow bullhead for a catch rate of 0.7/net. Trap nets sampled 14 yellow bullhead for a catch rate of 1.6/net. This was one of the few assessments where black bullhead have not dominated the net catch at Winsted. Trap nets sampled 13 black crappie for a catch rate of 1.4/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2004 catch rate was 3.0/net. The last three trap net catches indicated a downward trend in black crappie numbers, but the gill net catch in 2009 showed otherwise. The 2009 gill net catch was 29.3/net, which was well above the normal range and the highest ever observed at Winsted Lake. Gill netted black crappie were 4.6 to 11.4 inches long averaging 7.2 inches. Black crappie were 1 to 3 years old with 3 year-classes present. Approximately 93% of the gill net catch was from the stronger 2007 year-class (age 2). Growth was slow, but the 2007 year-class should be above 8 inches by winter 2010. Trap nets sampled 88 bluegill for a catch rate of 9.8/net, which was within the normal range for Winsted Lake. The 2004 catch rate was 6.0/net. The last three catch rates indicated a slight upward trend for bluegill numbers at Winsted Lake. Bluegill were 3.1 to 7.5 inches long averaging 5.8 inches. Gill nets sampled bluegill up to 9.4 inches in length. Bluegill were 1 to 4 years old with 4 year-classes present. Age 2 fish accounted for approximately 97% of the trap net catch. Growth was moderate. Anglers should expect low to moderate numbers of small to medium sized fish. Shoreline seining sampled young-of-the-year: bluegill (13), carp (7), largemouth bass (214), white sucker (15), and yellow bullhead (20). Johnny darter (1), brook stickleback (1), and fathead minnow (37) were also seined.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target White Crappie, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Green Sunfish in Winsted. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Winsted has a maximum depth of 12 feet and a mean depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Winsted is from 2021.

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