Villard

Villard Lake is a shallow, 544-acre lake located west of the city of Villard in northeast Pope County. A concrete access is located off County Highway 28 on the northeast corner of the lake. The lake is the middle basin within a chain of three lakes (Leven, Villard, and Amelia). Villard Lake averages 10 feet, with a maximum depth of 16 feet. Due to the shallowness of the basin, strong winds and waves can re-suspend nutrients and trigger temporary algal blooms. Wind mixing and shallowness often prevents Villard Lake from becoming thermally stratified during summer months. This lack of a cool water refuge during the heat of the summer can be stressful for cool water species such Walleye and Northern Pike. 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. The Bluegill catch (12.8/trap net) was similar to the 2022 targeted survey (10.8/trap net). Average and maximum length were 7.1 and 9.1 inches, respectively. Growth was below average when compared to other lakes with reduced sunfish bag limits. 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. Few Black Crappie (1.0/ trap net) were sampled during the targeted spring trap netting. Average and maximum length were 11.0 and 13.0 inches, respectively. The catch rate was higher during summer gill nets (3.3/gill net), with mean and maximum lengths of 10.3 and 11.8 inches, respectively. Northern Pike relative abundance (11.2/gill net) was lower than recent surveys. The number of large pike has improved, with a maximum length of 32 inches. However, small fish are still abundant (77% under 22 inches), leading to a mean length of only 19.5 inches. New Northern Pike regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase size structure. Villard 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 numbers (3.2/gill net) were low, but growth is fast. Average length was 18.5 inches, and maximum length was 26.0 inches. Past stockings include fry, fingerlings and mixed age fish with limited success. Recent stockings are likely competing with the expansion of zebra mussels (discovered in 2020) and may have a better chance of success as zebra mussels begin to decrease in abundance. The recent change to Lower Mississippi strain fry in 2024 may also increase the chance of success in this shallow, turbid system. Largemouth Bass abundance (39 bass per hour of electrofishing) was near the median. Average length was 14.4 inches, with a maximum of 18.2 inches. Other species sampled include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch. Lake Villard was designated as an infested water after the discovery of zebra mussels in 2020. 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 14 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Lake Villard. 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. Eighteen species were collected during this survey. Four species (Banded Killifish, 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 Villard.

A summer trap net survey was conducted in Lake Villard by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment program staff on June 10 - June 11, 2025. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured nine species of fish, including zero species that are intolerant of disturbance and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Common Carp). Bluegill and Pumpkinseed made up a majority of the catch by number and both Bluegill and Pumpkinseed again comprised a majority by biomass. This trap net survey data was combined with nearshore and gill net data from July 2025 surveys to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biological integrity (FIBI) score. The survey results, along with a repeat survey conducted in 2025 to understand variability, 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 Villard was designated as an infested water due to the discovery of zebra mussels in 2020. 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 Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Hybrid Sunfish in Villard. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Villard has a maximum depth of 16 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 Villard is from 2025.

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