Leven

Leven Lake is a 283-acre lake located in northeast Pope County. It is the most upstream basin in a chain of three lakes, which includes Leven, Villard and Amelia. Flowage connections between these systems are non-navigable. An access is located on the southeast corner of the lake. Pope County Judicial Ditch 4 drains into the northeast side of Leven Lake, contributing excessive nutrients and sediment from a predominantly agricultural watershed. Water clarity is variable during summer months in response to algae blooms or aquatic plant growth. Aquatic vegetation can be excessively abundant and hinder watercraft operation at times. Average and maximum depths are 13 and 33 feet, respectively. Spring trap netting was conducted April 30 to May 2 when panfish were up shallow and vulnerable to capture, and only comparable to other spring targeted panfish surveys. Bluegill abundance (9.3/trap net) was similar to the 2023 targeted panfish survey (8.6/trap net). Growth is similar to other lakes with reduced sunfish bag limits. Most fish were young. The prevalence of young fish led to an overall poor size structure, with a mean length of only 6.2 inches. However, the largest fish sampled was 9.5 inches. Sunfish anglers are reminded that a special regulation was implemented in 2022 that reduced the daily bag limit of sunfish from 20 to 10 to help protect and improve sunfish quality on this lake. For more information regarding the Quality Sunfish Initiative, see the following: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/sunfish/index.html. The Black Crappie catch (7.9/trap net) was lower than the 2023 targeted survey (9.9/trap net), but higher than the catch in 2022 (2.6/trap net). Growth was moderate. Similar to Bluegill, the size structure was poor because of predominately young fish in the system. This led to a mean length of only 9.0 inches, although the largest crappie sampled was 12.5 inches. While only directly comparable to the 2019 survey because of changes in sampling methodology, the Largemouth Bass population (52.1 bass per hour of electrofishing) was higher than any past survey. Many small fish were present, ranging from 2.6 to 17.2 inches. Northern Pike continue to be overly abundant (29.0/gill net), with the 2025 survey being the highest on record. Most pike were small (76% under 22 inches; average length=20.3 inches), but the largest pike was 37.0 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small Northern Pike. New Northern Pike regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase size structure. Leven Lake is in the North-Central Zone, where all pike from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Anglers can keep 10 pike, but not more than two can be longer than 26 inches. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules, except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches, or two larger than 26 inches. For more information see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pike/index.html. Walleye relative abundance was poor (1.5/gill net), and fish were large (mean length of 21.3 inches), ranging from 16.7 to 26.6 inches. Stocking ceased in 2014 due to consistently poor returns from both fry and fingerling stockings. Natural reproduction or migration appears to sustain a very limited Walleye fishery. Zebra mussels were first recorded in 2021. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are easily moved from infested to non-infested waters and can negatively affect lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain water from their boat before leaving the access. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species see the following: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2025 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 10 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Lake Leven. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Chippewa River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Fourteen species were collected during this survey. Five species (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) were considered "intolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. No "tolerant" species were collected. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Lake Leven.

A summer trap net survey was conducted in Lake Leven by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment program staff on June 9 - June 10, 2025. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured ten species of fish, including zero species that are intolerant of disturbance and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Common Carp). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority by biomass. This trap net survey data and the nearshore survey data from June 2025 were combined with gill net data from a July 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biological integrity (FIBI) score. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Chippewa River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Lake Leven was designated as an infested water due to the discovery of zebra mussels in 2021. Recreational users should take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of invasive species. Drain all water and remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat and trailer when leaving any body of water

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bluegill in Leven. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Leven has a maximum depth of 33 feet and a mean depth of 13 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Leven has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.