Okabena

Okabena Lake is a 776-acre lake, located in Nobles County in the City of Worthington. Okabena Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Crappie. Lower Mississippi Strain (LMS) Walleye fry has been stocked in Okabena Lake periodically since the spring of 2018, but were not stocked in 2025. Lake Okabena has areas of spawning habitat and has shown sporadic natural reproduction, thus LMS Walleye have been stocked because anecdotal evidence suggests that they may have a survival advantage and natural reproduction potential in southern Minnesota lakes. Sexually mature LMS Walleye from initial stockings should be present, thus a natural reproduction check using nighttime electrofishing was conducted on November 3, 2025 to determine if Walleye naturally reproduced in this system. Young-of-the year Walleye were captured at a rate of 15.8 per hour electrofishing, which indicates that some natural reproduction occurred, but it may not be a strong year class. Analysis of fall electrofishing data by DNR staff indicated that a catch rate greater than 5 per hour can result in a successful year class and greater than 25 per hour often produces a year class. Therefore, potential exists for Okabena Lake. Lengths of Walleye ranged from 8.2 to 9.7 inches and averaged 9.0 inches. Fin clips from those Age 0 Walleye indicate that predominate ancestry indicates 60% Lower Mississippi River Genetic while 16% ancestry points to Spicer Strain. Either way, over 75% of the composition points to southern strain Walleye genetics from the natural reproduction documented on Okabena Lake. The current management plan prescribes stocking Walleye fry every other year; thus, Walleye fry will be stocked in 2026 and 2028.

INTRODUCTION Lake Okabena is a 751-acre, class 41 lake located within the City of Worthington in Nobles County. Lake Okabena has a watershed-to-lake ratio of 19-to-1, meaning it receives drainage from over 14,000 acres of agricultural row crops and impervious surfaces from part of the City of Worthington. Lake Okabena has an average depth of 8 feet and a maximum depth of 16 feet, which, until 1985, was achieved and maintained by dredging. Residential development has disturbed and altered some of Lake Okabena's shoreline; however, the majority of its shoreline is owned by the City of Worthington, which allows ample opportunity for shoreline anglers. In areas with residential development, lawns are often maintained to the water's edge and shorelines are altered with rock riprap, disrupting what could be a natural riparian buffer. Excessive nutrient runoff from lawns, impervious services, and agricultural fields likely contribute a portion of Lake Okabena's turbid water (Secchi depth = 0.9 feet). Another source of poor water clarity is recycling of internal nutrients which leads to algae blooms. Internal cycling can be caused by wind action and resuspension of sediment by bottom dwelling fish species, such as Common Carp, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, and Freshwater Drum. Fish are managed in order to help bring balance to the fish community and help suppress species that may lead to internal loading of nutrients. The primary management species in Lake Okabena is Walleye and the secondary management species are Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Crappie (Black Crappie and White Crappie). Walleye fry (Mississippi Strain, MIS) were stocked at a rate of 1,000 per littoral acre two out of three years from 2006 to 2016 (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016). However, in 2018 a different stocking regime started. Walleye fry were stocked at a rate of 500 per littoral acre with 50% Lower Mississippi Strain (LMS) Walleye and 50% MIS Walleye in a strain comparison study (188,000 MIS and 188,000 LMS fry). The LMS Walleye is a recently identified strain that originated from the Canon River and Mississippi River south of Minneapolis. The egg source for the LMS Walleye is Lake Sarah where this strain was historically stocked and has since flourished without stocking since 1991. The study concluded in 2022 and results will help to manage Walleye populations in southern Minnesota for decades. For secondary species, in cooperation with the Southwest Minnesota Fishing Club, pre-spawn Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, or Black Crappie are stocked annually into drainable wetlands (Worthington Pond 1 and Worthington Pond 2) that are connected to Lake Okabena via Whiskey Ditch. Water is retained in the ponds until early October, which allows the young-of-the-year (YOY) fish to grow to a size conducive for survival, and then is drained into Whiskey Ditch and eventually into Lake Okabena. The amount of fish produced in a year in these ponds has not been quantified, but it is likely that this operation provides some benefit to fish populations in some years in Lake Okabena. A population assessment was conducted during the week of August 15, 2022 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and 12 trap nets. Sixteen species of fish were sampled in gill nets and trap nets during the 2022 survey. Bigmouth Buffalo were the most abundant by biomass (total pounds caught) at 22.5% of the catch, followed by Common Carp (17.7%), Walleye (16.9%), White Sucker (14.0%), Freshwater Drum (9.9%), Channel Catfish (7.0%), Northern Pike (6.2%), Black Bullhead (2.6%), and all others at 1% or less each (Black Crappie, Bluegill, Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, White Crappie, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch). The paragraphs that follow outline the status of each managed species as well as other gamefish that are important within the lake. Interestingly, Walleye were the 3rd most abundant species by biomass, which is rare for a lake in southwest Minnesota. WALLEYE One-hundred and one Walleye were captured in gill nets (N=50) and trap nets (N=51). Trap nets typically don't sample Walleye effectively during summer months and are deployed to target sunfish and other nearshore species. However, 51 Walleye were sampled in 12 trap nets for a catch rate of 4.3 per trap net. The 2022 trap net catch rate was the greatest on record since sampling began in 1982. The gill net catch rate was also high with 16.7 per gill net, greater than the high end of the expected catch rate range for Lake Okabena (15.33 per gill net) and the most fish caught in gill nets since 2008. Four age groups (age 1=2021, 3=2019, 5=2017, and 7=2015) of Walleye ranging in length from 10.5 inches to 24.5 inches, with an average length of just under 15 inches in the gill net, were sampled. All but one age group (age 5, 2017) of Walleye were from years where stocking occurred. While there is still need for stocking, naturally reproduced year classes are becoming more common. With the addition of LMS Walleye since 2018, there is now increased potential for that number to increase. Recent genetic analysis from Lake Shetek and Round Lake, other class 41 lakes in southwest MN, suggest that natural reproduction is also increasing due at least in part to LMS stocking. Currently, future LMS fry stocking will be needed to keep recruitment of Walleye stable in Lake Okabena. With Walleye in excellent health, along with good numbers at harvestable size, the population is poised for excellent angling. While we can't make the fish bite, low numbers of Yellow Perch (4.0 per gill net) should lead to a population of Walleye that may be more willing to chase a lure. Angling should be good in Lake Okabena and angling success may increase as the population continues to trend in the direction it is going. YELLOW PERCH Yellow Perch are an important game fish for anglers, and they provide excellent forage for Walleye. Unfortunately, Yellow Perch in Lake Okabena have been declining in relative abundance since 2006. In 2022 the gill net catch rate (4.0 per gill net) was the lowest observed since sampling began in 1982. A declining Yellow Perch population can be an indication of a very abundant predator population, and can also be a sign of declining habitat available for successful spawning and for young to avoiding predation. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 7.5 to just under 11 inches with an average length of 9.5 inches. An absence of small Yellow Perch (less than 7 inches) indicates a probable failure in reproduction. Periodic stocking of additional adults may be needed to boost the population. However, if habitat is lacking for successful spawning, then stocking adults may not work and younger perch (fry) may need to be stocked in high numbers to create an abundant population. This approach is difficult due to the lack of spawning habitat and no hatchery program for Yellow Perch in Minnesota. Fortunately, there are several ponds in the city of Worthington that are operated by a local sports club that are connected to Lake Okabena and can be fully drained into the lake. These ponds can be utilized for fish production. In the past Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike have been stocked and raised in these ponds. Adult fish are stocked pre-spawn and natural spawning occurs in the pond with good habitat available. Young fish, and remaining adults, are then drained into Lake Okabena later in the summer or fall (depending on physical conditions in the ponds, i.e. water temperature and water levels). These ponds will be utilized to raise Yellow Perch in 2023 and beyond in hopes that the population will receive a boost of younger individuals. CRAPPIES Two species of Crappie are present in Lake Okabena, Black Crappie and White Crappie. Crappie species can be differentiated by the number of hard dorsal spines on their back. White Crappie have 6 or fewer hard spines and Black Crappie have 7 or more hard spines. Thirty-nine Crappie were caught (16 Black Crappie and 13 White Crappie) in trap nets only in 2022. The Black Crappie and White Crappie catch rates are within normal catch rate ranges for each species, but less than past catch rates. While relative abundance of both species of Crappie has declined, the size distribution of fish in the sample was still very good. Crappie ranged in length from just over 3 inches to just over 12.5 inches with a mean length of 9 inches for Black Crappie and White Crappie. While catch rates are low, angling for Crappie, especially during the spring spawning season could be very good in Okabena Lake. BLUEGILL Only 12 Bluegill were caught in trap nets only on Lake Okabena during 2022 sampling. Bluegill ranged in length from just under 4 inches to nearly 7 inches with a mean length of 5.8 inches. The relative abundance of Bluegill has remained stable in Lake Okabena since 2014. While stable, the catch rate is near the lower normal catch rate value, 1.1 per trap net, indicating a low abundance. Habitat is not great for Bluegill in Lake Okabena with very little submerged aquatic vegetation to avoid predation. NORTHERN PIKE Thirteen Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets (Number=2) and trap nets (Number=11) in 2022 in Lake Okabena. The fish in the sample ranged in length from 19.5 inches to 32.7 inches with only 3 less than the minimum length of 24 inches for harvest. The relative abundance of Northern Pike in the trap net sample was the greatest observed since sampling began in 1982. While the catch rate is the greatest ever observed, the catch rate has never been very high on Lake Okabena. Northern Pike are a low abundance predator in the lake and should continue to be managed as such to help control non-managed species such as Common Carp and Freshwater Drum. Anglers could encounter more Northern Pike as a bycatch while they are targeting Walleye. The 24 inch minimum length limit, with only 2 fish allowed to keep over that size, should help to protect some fish and allow them to continue to act as a biocontrol predator within the lake. OTHER SPECIES Other species sampled in 2022 were Bigmouth Buffalo (Number, N=30), Black Bullhead (N=17), Channel Catfish (N=13), Common Carp (N=22), Freshwater Drum (N=77), Golden Shiner (N=1), Largemouth Bass (N=1), Pumpkinseed (N=6), White Sucker (N=58), and Yellow Bullhead (N=1). Of those species only Bigmouth Buffalo and Common Carp were more abundant, by biomass, than Walleye. White Sucker, Channel Catfish, and Freshwater Drum also had abundances of 9.9% of biomass or more. Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo have occasionally been removed by commercial angling. A recent project on Lake Okabena by the Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District focused on getting an estimate of biomass of Common Carp. Wenck Associates was contracted by the district to perform a Common Carp population estimate back in 2017 and 2018. The results indicated Lake Okabena had about 312 pounds per acre. Carp Solutions was contracted in 2022 to do a Common Carp population estimate. After Carp Solutions removal of 676 Common Carp, Lake Okabena had only 61.4 pounds per acre and a far cry from 350 pounds per acre estimated in a previous study. Additional watershed improvements, along with commercial harvest, should help to balance the fish community and lead to increased success of gamefish species.

Okabena Lake is a 776-acre lake, located in Nobles County in the city of Worthington. Since 2018, Okabena Lake has been included in a research project that is evaluating the performance of two strains of Walleye, the Lower Mississippi Strain (LMS) and the Mississippi Strain (MIS). However, during 2020, no stocking was done as no Walleye egg-take operations were conducted due to the start of the COVID pandemic causing a DNR close-contact work moratorium. Walleye stocking, including the performance evaluation, was restarted in 2021. The total fry quota for Okabena Lake was 376,000, of which half were MIS and half were LMS. The MIS Walleye come from northern Minnesota and until recently, were the primary strain stocked in Windom management area lakes. The LMS originated in the Cannon River system, was stocked in area lakes in the 1980's and early 1990's, and has persisted in some area Walleye populations despite extensive stocking of northern Minnesota strains of Walleye. LMS Walleye are present in Murray County's Lake Sarah, a lake that hasn't been stocked since 1991 because the Walleye population is sustained at high levels through natural reproduction. Lake Okabena has areas of spawning habitat and has shown sporadic natural reproduction, thus LMS Walleye have been stocked because anecdotal evidence suggests that they may have a survival advantage and natural reproduction potential in southern Minnesota lakes. To evaluate strain performance in 2021, 210 Walleye fingerlings were needed for testing and evaluation. Night electrofishing was used to collect the Walleye for the study. Non-standard night electrofishing (less than 2 hours) was conducted on 28 September 2021. The fingerling quota was not met with non-standard night electrofishing as only 155 fingerlings were captured during 1.3 hours of electrofishing (122 per hour). Fingerlings ranged in length from 4.9 to 7.0 inches and averaged 5.8 inches. The remainder of the quota (N=55) of Walleye fingerling were caught during the same night by resampling a stretch of shoreline that contained a large number of Walleye fingerling during the first pass (not included in the catch rate value above). As with previous years genetic data, LMS made up a large percentage of the Age 0 Walleye catch. Approximately 64% of the Age 0 Walleye came back as LMS, 14% came back as MIS, and surprisingly about 22% of the fish were from natural reproduction. Of those naturally reproduced fish, about half of the genetics came back to LMS origin. The remaining genetics of those naturally reproduced fish came back as Spicer strain and mix ancestry.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and White Crappie in Okabena. 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 Okabena. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Okabena has a maximum depth of 16 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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