Richardson

Richardson is a small-sized lake (119 acres) located north of the city of Darwin in Meeker County. A state-owned access with gravel parking and a single cement boat ramp is available on the south shore. Richardson has approximately two miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of forty-seven feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Richardson is a class 24 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Erie and Belle Lakes in Meeker County. Richardson's 2019 lake management plan listed Walleye as primary management species, while Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and White Crappie were secondary species. Richardson sustained a substantial partial winterkill in 2023. Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Walleye were stocked in the spring of 2023 following the winterkill. Netting was completed in 2024 to monitor the fish population. Richardson Lake, like nearby Dunn's Lake, is best known for its crappie. However, crappie numbers can be extremely variable. Black Crappie numbers and size structure were down in 2024, likely the result of the winterkill. It will take a few years for things to bounce back, but plenty of broodstock are present. No White Crappie were sampled for the second straight survey. White Crappie haven't been sampled in appreciable numbers since 2008. Walleye abundance shared a similar fate as crappie. Only a few Walleye were sampled and they were all small yearlings. It will take a few years and fry stockings to build back up the population. The best bright spot for Richardson Lake is probably Northern Pike. Good numbers were sampled in 2024. Despite most being small, they should grow rapidly and provide some angling action soon. Additional fishes sampled in the 2024 gill nets included low numbers of Black Bullhead, Bluegill Common Carp, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. 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.

Richardson is a small-sized lake (119 acres) located north of the city of Darwin in Meeker County. A state-owned access with gravel parking and a single cement boat ramp is available on the south shore. Richardson has approximately two miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of forty-seven feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Richardson is a class 24 lake and other similar waterbodies in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Erie and Belle Lakes in Meeker County. Richardson's 2019 lake management plan listed Walleye as primary management species, while Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and White Crappie were secondary species. Richardson sustained a substantial partial winterkill in 2023. Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Walleye were stocked in the spring of 2023 following the winterkill. Netting was completed in 2024 to monitor the fish population. Richardson Lake, like nearby Dunn's Lake, is best known for its crappie. However, crappie numbers can be extremely variable. Black Crappie numbers and size structure were down in 2024, likely the result of the winterkill. It will take a few years for things to bounce back, but plenty of broodstock are present. No White Crappie were sampled for the second straight survey. White Crappie haven't been sampled in appreciable numbers since 2008. Walleye abundance shared a similar fate as crappie. Only a few Walleye were sampled and they were all small yearlings. It will take a few years and fry stockings to build back up the population. The best bright spot for Richardson Lake is probably Northern Pike. Good numbers were sampled in 2024. Despite most being small, they should grow rapidly and provide some angling action soon. Additional fishes sampled in the 2024 gill nets included low numbers of Black Bullhead, Bluegill Common Carp, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. 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 standard survey was conducted at Richardson Lake on June 11, 2018, to monitor the lake's fish population and to do a preliminary evaluation of the Walleye stocking regime. Richardson is a class 24 lake and net catches were compared to similar lakes around the state. The 2013 lake management plan (LMP) listed Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and White Crappie as primary management species, while Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye were ranked as secondary species at Richardson. In 2018, a total of 9 species were sampled in the gill nets (GN), trap nets (TN), and by spring night-time electrofishing (EF), targeting Largemouth Bass. The dissolved oxygen concentration fell below 2.0 mg/l at 17 feet, indicating that deeper parts of the lake were not suitable for fish use on June 12. Water clarity was poor with a secchi disk reading of 2.0 feet. The cause for the reduced visibility was due to an algae bloom. Only Walleye were aged for this survey. Richardson had a history of occasional partial winterkill with the last event occurring in 1997. Gill nets sampled moderate numbers (30) of Walleye for a catch rate of 5.0/net, which was within the lake's normal range and the highest ever recorded at Richardson Lake. The 2013 LMP's long range Walleye goal (>2.8/GN) was met. The 2012 GN catch rate was 2.2/net. Historic catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14), under various stocking regimes or no stocking were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 5.0/net with an average of 1.4. In 2018, Walleye were 17.4 to 23.4 inches long with an average of 19.5. Approximately 87% of the GN catch was 18 inches or longer, indicating a quality size structure. Walleye were age-4 to age-10 with 4 year classes being present. Age-4 fish, tracked to a fingerling stocked year (2014), were the most abundant in the catch, accounting for 83% of the GN aged fish. The 2014 year class would be considered strong. All other year classes were considered weak. Age classes from non-stocked year classes accounted for 1 of the 30 (3%) Walleye that were aged, possibly indicating that natural reproduction and immigration from the North Fork of the Crow River were not significant at Richardson. Connected Dunns Lake was stocked in the same years with the same year classes (fingerlings or yearlings) of fish from 2004 through 2016. From 1981 to 2003, Walleye were not stocked into Richardson Lake and the GN catch rate in 1999 was 0.0/net, indicating that stocking is necessary to produce a Walleye fishery at Richardson. In 2018, growth for age-4 Walleye was fast when compared to other lakes statewide. The current high numbers of Yellow Perch (20.5/net in 2018) and low numbers of Northern Pike (2.2/net in 2018) were likely key factors that contributed to higher Walleye GN catch rate in 2018. Gill nets sampled low numbers of Northern Pike (13) for a catch rate of 2.2/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2013 LMP's Northern Pike long range goal (>1.5/GN) was met. The 2012 GN catch rate was similar (3.8/net). Historical catch rates (n=14) from 1951 to 2018 were mostly low, ranging from to 0.0 to 9.3/net with an average of 2.8, indicating low recruitment most years. In 2018, gill netted Northern Pike were 22.0 to 31.5 inches long with an average of 26.9. Northern Pike were last stocked into Richardson Lake in 1992. Northern Pike were not aged, but size distribution data indicated that multiple year classes were present, although recruitment would probably be classified as sporadic. New Northern Pike zone regulations went into effect in the spring of 2018. Richardson is in the north central regulation zone, which has a 10 fish bag limit, where all fish from 22 to 26 inches in length have to be immediately released and only two harvested fish can be over 26 inches long. Darkhouse spearers are allowed to have one fish in the protected slot limit. Trap nets sampled high numbers (339) of Black Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 37.7/net, which was above the lake's normal range. The 2008 catch rate was even higher at 122.1/net. The 2013 LMP's long range goal (>6.5/TN) was met in 2018. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 122.1/net with an average of 30.4. Trap netted Black Crappie were 3.5 to 11.3 inches long with an average of 6.7. Approximately 12% of the TN catch was 9 inches or longer, indicating a modest size structure. Gill nets also sampled high numbers of Black Crappie (615) for a catch rate of 102.5/net, which was above the lake's normal range and the second highest GN catch ever recorded at Richardson. The 2012 GN catch rate was 19.5/net. Gill net catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 122.0/net with an average of 38.5, indicating a moderate to high abundance most of the time. Gill netted Black Crappie were 3.5 to 10.9 inches long with an average of 6.2. Black Crappie were not aged, but size distributions indicated adequate recruitment. Trap nets sampled moderate to high numbers of Bluegill (293) for a catch rate of 32.6/net which was within the lake's normal range. The 2013 LMP's long range goal for Bluegill (>7.5) was met. The 2008 TN catch rate was 16.2/net. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 1.0 to 65.5/net, with an average of 24.0. In 2018, TN Bluegill were 4.7 to 8.1 inches long with an impressive average length of 7.1 inches. Approximately 67% of the TN catch was 7 inches or longer. Data indicated a quality size structure. Bluegill were not aged, but size distributions indicated that multiple year classes were present, however recruitment was not consistent. Bluegill were last stocked in 1972. Spring night-time electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass sampled high numbers (113) of fish for a catch rate of 108.5/hour, which was the highest catch ever recorded at Richardson. The 2013 LMP's long range goal (>10/hour) was met. The 2008 EF catch rate was 22.4/hour. Historic catch rates from 1991 to 2018 (n=7) were variable, ranging from 2.4 to 108.5/hour with an average of 42.1. Largemouth Bass were 8.5 to 20.6 inches long with an average of 13.0, indicating that a quality population was present. Fish were not aged but size distributions indicated that multiple age classes were present. Recruitment would not be considered consistent. Bass anglers may want to target docks, as submergent vegetation was typically not abundant at Richardson Lake. Gill nets sampled high numbers (123) of Yellow Perch for a catch rate of 20.5/net which was within the lake's normal range. The 2012 catch rate was 14.7/GN. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 3.5 to 164.3/net with an average of 32.5. Gill netted Yellow Perch were 5.4 to 9.1 inches long with an average of 7.5, indicating a poor size structure as far as anglers were concerned. Yellow Perch were likely an important forage item for Walleye and Northern Pike. Trap nets failed to sample White Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 0.0/net, which was below the lake's normal range and tied with 1951 and 1974 for the lowest catches on record. The 2008 TN catch rate was 67.0/net. The 2013 LMP's long range goal (>6.5/TN) was not met in 2018. Catch rates from 1951 to 2018 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 187.0/net with an average of 45.0. Gill nets failed to sample White Crappie in 2018 for a catch rate of 0.0/net, which was below the lake's normal range and was tied with 1974 for the lowest catch rate on record. The 2012 GN catch rate was 0.7/net. White Crappie GN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 17.2/net with an average of 6.5. Trap nets sampled low numbers (10) of Common Carp for a catch rate of 1.1/net, which was within the lake's normal range. The 2008 TN catch rate was 0.2/net. Historic TN catch rates (n=14) from 1951 to 2018 were mostly low, ranging from 0.8 to 12.9/net with an average of 2.2. In 2018, TN Common Carp were 19.0 to 27.4 inches long with an average of 24.5. Gill nets also sampled low numbers of Common Carp (2) for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was within the lake's normal range. Historic GN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 44.5/net with an average of 4.4. Gill netted Common Carp were 23.5 and 25.9 inches long. Gill nets sampled low numbers (2) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was below the lake's normal range. The 2012 catch rate was also low at 2.3/net. Historic GN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 42.2/net with an average of 10.9. Gill netted Black Bullhead were 8.4 and 9.8 inches long with an average of 9.1. Trap nets also sampled low numbers (1) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.1/net which was below the lake's normal range. Historic TN catch rates from 1971 to 2018 (n=13) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 13.9/net with an average of 2.1. Black Bullhead catch rates have not been high since 2003 (42.2/GN). Additional species sampled in the standard gear included; White Sucker (0.2/GN).

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

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

Richardson has a maximum depth of 47 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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