Hope

Gill nets, trap nets and shoreline seining were used to sample the Hope Lake fish population during the 2004 summer. Aquatic plant sampling and water quality monitoring were also conducted. Hope Lake has a history of winterkill, and fish population levels can fluctuate greatly depending on the frequency and severity of this phenomenon. There is no developed public access at Hope Lake. Hope Lake is shallow and very fertile. Submergent vegetation would be considered rare in this lake, but quality patches of emergent bullrush and cattail still exist. The lake's watershed is dominated by row crops and much of the shoreline and island remain undeveloped. High numbers of yellow perch were gill netted in 2004. Yellow perch were 5.3-11.3 inches long averaging 8.6 inches. An impressive 69% of the sample was at least 8 inches and 17% reached the 10 inch mark. Most of the perch were from the strong 2001 year class. High numbers of northern pike were also gill netted. Northern pike were 19.5-30.5 inches long averaging 24.5 inches. The last time this lake was netted (1991), a handful of small bluegill and small yellow perch were all the gamemfish the lake had to offer anglers. Hopefully the present population will provide some angling opportunity before the next winterkill occurs. Black bullhead, which have dominated past nettings, were only sampled in moderate numbers in 2004. Trap netted black bullhead averaged 4.3 inches. Moderate numbers of carp were also trapped, averaging 19.8 inches.

Gill nets, trap nets and shoreline seining were used to sample the Hope Lake fish population during the 2004 summer. Aquatic plant sampling and water quality monitoring were also conducted. Hope Lake has a history of winterkill, and fish population levels can fluctuate greatly depending on the frequency and severity of this phenomenon. There is no developed public access at Hope Lake. Hope Lake is shallow and very fertile. Submergent vegetation would be considered rare in this lake, but quality patches of emergent bullrush and cattail still exist. The lake's watershed is dominated by row crops and much of the shoreline and island remain undeveloped. High numbers of yellow perch were gill netted in 2004. Yellow perch were 5.3-11.3 inches long averaging 8.6 inches. An impressive 69% of the sample was at least 8 inches and 17% reached the 10 inch mark. Most of the perch were from the strong 2001 year class. High numbers of northern pike were also gill netted. Northern pike were 19.5-30.5 inches long averaging 24.5 inches. The last time this lake was netted (1991), a handful of small bluegill and small yellow perch were all the gamemfish the lake had to offer anglers. Hopefully the present population will provide some angling opportunity before the next winterkill occurs. Black bullhead, which have dominated past nettings, were only sampled in moderate numbers in 2004. Trap netted black bullhead averaged 4.3 inches. Moderate numbers of carp were also trapped, averaging 19.8 inches.

STATUS OF THE FISHERY: The fish population in Hope Lake is comprised almost exclusively of carp, black bullhead and green sunfish. Yellow perch and bluegill were the only game fish present.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, and Bluegill in Hope. 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 Hope. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Hope has a maximum depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hope is from 2004. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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