Kings

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kings was conducted on August 25-August 27, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at three stations. Two stations were not seined due to high water depths that made foot traversal difficult. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 10 species of fish Bluegill and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Least Darter, and Pugnose Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Kings Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated Kings Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. Kings Lake was also selected for a repeat survey to evaluate within-season variability, so you may note two similar surveys completed in summer 2025. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Sauk River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Kings Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kings Lake, was conducted on June 16-17th, 2025, by Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 5 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 4 stations. One station was not seined due to deep water and dense lilies. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including 5 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and 1 that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Pugnose Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish, Black Bullhead, and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Kings Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Kings Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Sauk River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Kings Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Kings Lake is a 194 acre lake located two miles northwest of Freeport in Stearns County. The lake has a maximum depth of 44 feet and a small watershed dominated by row crops and pasture. A public access is located on the south end of the lake. Kings Lake is managed primarily for Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike and was last surveyed in 2004. Anglers can expect good fishing for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Curly leaf pondweed was surveyed in June and covered less than one percent of the lake area. An aquatic vegetation survey was conducted in early July; star duckweed, coontail and sago pondweed were the most common aquatic plant species and plants grew to a maximum depth of 24 feet. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was 7 feet in early July and MPCA data show average Secchi values of 6 feet over the last ten years. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish down to 14 feet in early July. Largemouth Bass were caught by daytime electrofishing in late May in low numbers, but with good size. The catch rate of 14.6 per hour was much lower than the Sauk Rapids Area daytime average of 43.3 per hour. Electrofishing during the day in clear water was difficult and likely lowered the catch rate. The catch rate in 2004 at night was much higher. Lengths in 2015 ranged from 8.0 to 19.6 inches with an average length of 15.8 inches. Largemouth Bass were large; of catchable size fish (>8 inches), 68% were 15 inches or longer. Northern Pike numbers were lower than most lakes in the area and lower than in past surveys, but within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Lengths in 2015 ranged from 15.6 to 32.0 inches with an average length and weight of 23.3 inches and 2.8 pounds. Northern Pike size was good; 35% were 24 inches or longer. Many lakes in the area have high numbers of pike, which often results in smaller fish, but Kings Lake is an exception. Walleye were stocked by the DNR until 2003, but are no longer stocked or managed by the DNR. However, the local sportsman's club has stocked fingerlings since 2005 and maintained a viable fishery. Walleye numbers increased since 2004, but are within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 8.9 to 22.4 inches with an average length and weight of 14.3 inches and 1.4 pounds. Walleye growth was fast, reaching 18 inches in four years. Bluegill numbers were higher in 2015 than in 2004 and higher than expected for lakes like Kings. Lengths ranged from 3.6 to 8.6 inches with an average length of 6.2 inches. Bluegill size was larger than in 2004 and larger than many other lakes in the area. Black Crappie numbers were higher than expected compared to similar lakes and much higher than in 2004. Lengths in 2015 ranged from 4.4 inches to 10.6 inches with an average length of 8.1 inches. Mid summer netting can be highly variable for panfish; surveys around spawning time would better assess Bluegill and Black Crappie abundance and size. The Yellow Perch catch was similar to 2004 and within the range of expected values. Lengths ranged from 4.8 to 8.5 inches with a mean length of 6.4 inches. Compared to many lakes in the area, the Northern Pike catch is low, likely increasing Yellow Perch survival. Other species captured in low numbers include: Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Kings has a maximum depth of 44 feet and a mean depth of 23.4 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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