Minnewaska

Lake Minnewaska is an 8,050-acre basin located in central Pope County between the towns of Glenwood and Starbuck. For its size, Minnewaska is relatively shallow. Maximum depth is just 32 feet. Residential development surrounds the entire lake. Lake Minnewaska outflows to Lake Emily via Outlet Creek and lies within the Chippewa River watershed. It is the largest lake within the Glenwood Management Area and is a popular destination for many anglers and recreational boaters in west-central Minnesota. Swimming is also a popular activity during summer months. Municipal swimming beaches are located in Glenwood and Starbuck. Four public accesses are available. Two occur on the northeast side of the lake near Glenwood. The access adjacent to the Glenwood swimming beach is relatively shallow and launching larger boats can be problematic, especially during low water periods. The two remaining accesses are near Starbuck, one in the marina and the other near the swimming beach. A long, shallow sand bar with rocks is located along the north shoreline in the central portion of the lake. Boaters should be cautious when navigating around this area. Lake Minnewaska supports a diverse fish community and offers a wide range of fishing opportunities. This lake is primarily managed for Walleye, with bass, pike, and sunfish being species of secondary management importance. Lake Minnewaska is a popular destination for many anglers and fishing pressure can be heavy at times, during both open water and winter seasons. To help maintain the quality of this fishery, anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for eating. Releasing medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and should provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. A targeted fisheries survey was completed in 2025 to assess the fish community. Walleye abundance has remained stable in recent years and elevated above survey results from 2018. Survival of small Walleye was greatly diminished following establishment of zebra mussels in 2012 and the resulting increase in water clarity. However, starting in 2019, the Walleye population began experiencing more consistent survival of those small fish. Fall electrofishing results indicated several moderate to strong year classes since 2019. Average size in 2022 was 15.8 inches and 1.6 pounds. The largest Walleye measured just shy of 24 inches. Other gamefishes targeted by anglers include Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike. Bass populations have expanded in recent years. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are both abundant and larger bass are relatively common. With the great bass fishing opportunities, Lake Minnewaska is a popular destination for organized bass tournaments. Panfish anglers will likely find good numbers of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. Bluegill exceeding 8 inches and Black Crappie exceeding 10 inches are common. Yellow Perch abundance is moderate, and while many are smaller, some fish over 9 inches were sampled. Pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfishes are also commonly caught by panfish anglers. Northern Pike abundance and size structure has increased in recent years. Pike abundance decreased from the last survey, but still remains above average. Mean pike size was 21.9 inches and 2.6 pounds, but larger pike were present. Over 20% of the pike in the survey sample exceeded 26 inches in length with the largest pike measuring 36.2 inches. Anglers are reminded that Northern Pike zone harvest regulations were implemented in 2018. Lake Minnewaska is located within the North-central Zone where anglers can keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Anglers are encouraged to harvest the current surplus of pike under 22 inches to help reduce abundance and improve size structure of this population, and to lessen predatory pressure on small Walleyes and Yellow Perch. Other fish species sampled in the 2025 survey include bullheads, Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), and White Sucker. Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullheads are all present in Lake Minnewaska. Yellow Bullheads are most common. Size structure of these populations is impressive as most bullheads caught in survey nets exceeded 12 inches. Freshwater Drum also tend to be larger individuals and are often caught by anglers. The next lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2028. Lake Minnewaska is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels, and starry stonewort. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota see the following: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html. Sunfish anglers are reminded that a special regulation was implemented in spring 2022 that reduced the daily bag limit of sunfish from 20 to 10 to help protect and improve sunfish quality in this lake. For more information regarding the Quality Sunfish Initiative see the following: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/sunfish/index.html.

A targeted survey was completed in the spring of 2023 on Lake Minnewaska to assess the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. A special regulation that reduced the daily sunfish limit from 20 down to 10 was also implemented in the spring of 2022. The goal of this new regulation is to maintain or increase the average size of Bluegill. This survey will be used to help evaluate effects of the regulation on the Bluegill population. Bluegill catch rates were high, and some quality fish were observed during the survey. Thirteen percent of the Bluegill were over 8 inches in length. Growth rates of Bluegill in Lake Minnewaska are moderate and 7 year old Bluegill averaged 7.0 inches in length. The largest Bluegill observed in the survey was 9.1 inches. Black Crappie catch rates were low, but most of the sample consisted of quality sized fish. Approximately 52% of the fish were greater than 10 inches in length. Black Crappie growth rates are fast; average length of age 4 fish was 10.2 inches. The largest Black Crappie in the sample was 12.6 inches. Quality fishing opportunities exist for multiple species in Lake Minnewaska. Anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help sustain the quality of the fishery. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while promoting harvest of more abundant smaller fish. Releasing medium to large fish can help restore and maintain fish community balance, as well as increase opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Lake Minnewaska is designated as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort and zebra mussels. 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.

Lake Minnewaska is an 8,050-acre basin located in central Pope County between the towns of Glenwood and Starbuck. For its size, Minnewaska is relatively shallow. Maximum depth is just 32 feet. Residential development surrounds the entire lake. Lake Minnewaska lies within the Chippewa River watershed and outflows to Lake Emily. It is the largest lake within the Glenwood Management Area and is a popular destination for many anglers and recreational boaters in west-central Minnesota. Swimming is also a popular activity during summer months. Municipal swimming beaches are located in Glenwood and Starbuck. Three public accesses are available. Two occur on the northeast side of the lake near Glenwood. The access adjacent to the Glenwood swimming beach is relatively shallow and launching larger boats can be problematic, especially during low water periods. The third access is located within the Starbuck Marina. A long, shallow sand bar with rocks is located along the north shoreline in the central portion of the lake. Boaters should be cautious when navigating around this area. Lake Minnewaska supports a diverse fish community and offers a wide range of fishing opportunities. This lake is primarily managed for Walleye with bass and sunfish being species of secondary management importance. Lake Minnewaska is a popular destination for many anglers and fishing pressure can be heavy at times, during both open water and winter seasons. To help maintain the quality of this fishery, anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for eating. Releasing medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and should provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. A standard fisheries survey was completed in 2022 to assess the fish community and gain updated estimates of abundance and size structure of gamefish populations. Walleye abundance (5.7 fish/gill net) has increased since the record-low level that was documented in 2018. Increased abundance is due to an extremely strong 2019 year class, which accounted for almost 45% of the gill net sample. Fall electrofishing results indicated another extremely strong year class was produced in 2022. Further increases in Walleye abundance are likely as this year class recruits to the fishery. Average size in 2022 was 18 inches and 2.4 pounds. The largest Walleye captured measured just shy of 28 inches. Other gamefishes targeted by anglers include Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations have expanded in recent years. Both species are abundant and larger bass are relatively common. Consequently, Lake Minnewaska is a popular destination for organized bass tournaments. Panfish anglers will likely find good numbers of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. Typical of most panfish populations, small- to medium-size fish tend to dominate these populations. However, Bluegill exceeding 8 inches and Black Crappie and Yellow Perch exceeding 10 inches are not uncommon. Pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfishes are also commonly caught by panfish anglers. Northern Pike abundance and size structure has increased in recent years. If fact, record-high pike abundance (19.0 fish/gill net) was documented in 2022. Mean pike size was just 23 inches and 2.6 pounds but larger pike were present. Over 25% of the gill net sample exceeded 26 inches in length with the largest pike measuring almost 35 inches. Anglers are reminded that Northern Pike zone harvest regulations were implemented in 2018. Lake Minnewaska is located within the North-central Zone where anglers can keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Anglers are encouraged to harvest the current surplus of pike under 22 inches to help reduce abundance and improve size structure of this population, and to lessen predatory pressure on small Walleyes. Other fish species sampled in the 2022 survey include bullheads, Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), and White Sucker. Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullheads are all present in Lake Minnewaska. Yellow Bullheads are most common. Size structure of these populations is impressive as most bullheads caught in survey nets exceeded 12 inches. Freshwater Drum also tend to be larger individuals and are often caught by anglers. The next lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2026. Lake Minnewaska is designated as an infested waterbody due to the presence of Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels, and starry stonewort. For more information regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota see the following: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html. Sunfish anglers are reminded that a special regulation was implemented in spring 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.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Smallmouth Bass in Minnewaska. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Minnewaska has a maximum depth of 32 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Minnewaska has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort, and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.