Marion

A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Marion Lake on September 10th, 2025, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. A total of 101 YOY were sampled for a catch rate of 101.0 fish/hr., which was above the lake's historical (1994 to 2025) median (30.0 fish/hr.). This indicated that a substantial YOY year class was present. In 2025, the average length for YOY was 7.5 inches, which was above Marion's historical mean (6.9 inches). Walleye fry were not stocked in 2025, so those fish were the result of natural reproduction. In 2025, a total of 0 yearlings were sampled for a catch rate of 0.0 fish/hr., which was tied with Marion's lowest historical (2017 to 2025) yearling catch rate on record. Of interest, high numbers of yearling Walleye were sampled in the 2025 gill net assessment, indicating that fall electrofishing yearling catch rates are not always a reliable indicator of year class strength at Marion Lake. Due to the significant natural reproduction of Walleye at Marion, the lake will only be stocked with Walleye fry if two consecutive fall electrofishing catch rates drop below 20 YOY/hr. Walleye fry were last stocked in 2019. Marion Lake is electrofished annually.

Marion is a moderate-sized lake (520 acres) located south of the City of Hutchinson in McLeod County. A county-owned access with paved parking and a single cement boat ramp is present on the northeast shore. There is a fishing pier present at the Marion Lake County Park on the east shore. A state-owned shore fishing area is present along State Highway 15 on the southeastern shoreline. Marion has approximately seven miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of fifteen feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Marion is a class 42 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Star Lake in Meeker County and Otter Lake in McLeod County. Marion's 2021 lake management plan listed Walleye as primary management species, while Black Crappie and Yellow Perch were secondary species. An aeration system is typically operated during ice-covered months to provide a refuge area for fish during harsh winters. The most recent partial winterkill at Marion Lake was light in nature and occurred in 2023, primarily affecting Channel Catfish. Fish populations can fluctuate widely depending on the severity of the latest winterkill event. A Walleye jaw tagging exploitation study was initiated in the spring of 2023 (see separate targeted survey report for more details) and anglers are encouraged to call the Hutchinson Area Fisheries Office (320-753-0339) if they catch a tagged Walleye from Marion. Netting was completed in 2025 to monitor the fish population. High numbers of Walleye were netted in 2025, with many harvestable size present in the sample. Walleye averaged 16 inches in length. The maximum length of Walleye sampled was just over 25 inches. An impressive 67 percent of the catch was 16 inches or longer. Ageing data indicated that natural reproduction of Walleye was substantial at Marion Lake. The oldest Walleye was age-18. Very high numbers of Black Crappie were netted in 2025, but average size was small (5.6 inches in length). If the year class of 5-inch long fish continues to survive, crappie fishing could be very good in a couple of years. The longest Black Crappie gill netted was a respectable14 inches in length. Very high numbers of Yellow Perch were gill netted and harvestable sized fish were present. The longest perch sampled was just over 11 inches. Approximately 8 percent of the catch was 8 inches or longer. Yellow Perch play an important role as forage at Marion Lake. Unfortunately, this high amount of prey could lead to a tough Walleye bite for anglers. Low numbers of Channel Catfish were netted, but maximum length was impressive (29 inches). Low to moderate numbers of Northern Pike were gill netted this year with fish averaging 22 inches in length. Approximately 31 percent of the netted pike were 24 inches or longer. Northern Pike regulations were revised at a statewide level beginning in 2018 to better accommodate regional differences in pike habitats, population abundances and size structures. Three management zones were established for Northern Pike, with their own bag limit and length limit restrictions. In the southern zone, where Marion Lake is found, anglers can keep two Northern Pike. The minimum size limit is 24 inches. All fish less than 24 inches must be immediately released. This zone regulation is meant to increase Northern Pike abundance and increase size of harvested fish. Additional fishes sampled in the 2025 gill nets included Black Bullhead, Bluegill, Common Carp, Largemouth Bass 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 MNDNR office. Additional information on all these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.

A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Marion Lake on September 8th, 2024, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. A total of 38 YOY were sampled for a catch rate of 38.0 fish/h, which was above the lake's historical (1994-2024) median (28.9 fish/h). This indicated that a substantial YOY year class was present. In 2024, the average length for YOY was 8.2 inches, which was above Marion's historical mean (6.9 inches). Walleye fry have not been stocked since 2019. In 2024, a total of 0 yearlings were sampled for a catch rate of 0.0 fish/h, which was tied with Marion's lowest historical (2017-2024) yearling catch rate on record. Natural reproduction has been consistently observed at Marion and the lake management plan calls for supplemental walleye fry stocking only if two consecutive fall electrofishing surveys return catch rates below 20 YOY/h. Lake Marion is fall electrofished annually.

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

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

Marion has a maximum depth of 15.2 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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