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Page Lake is a 375-acre shallow and fertile prairie lake located one mile north of Hancock in southeast Stevens County. Maximum depth of the natural basin is 17.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 12.0 feet. The lake has a small watershed area and thus surface water elevations are strongly influenced by volume of snowmelt and stormwater runoff. Algae blooms and suspended sediments impair water clarity during summer months. Low water clarity limits coverage and diversity of aquatic vegetation within the lake. Due to high fertility of the water fish grow rapidly and Page Lake can provide good fishing opportunities. A standard fisheries survey was completed in July of 2023 to evaluate abundance and size distribution of gamefish populations. Page Lake supports a healthy Walleye fishery sustained through supplemental fry stockings. Gill net catch rates have decreased in recent years (5.0 Walleye/gill net), but still exceed management objectives and are well above average for similar lakes in Minnesota. Walleye grow rapidly in this productive basin and typically reach 16.0 inches after three growing seasons. The largest Walleye measured was 24.6 inches. Approximately 97% of Walleyes captured were larger than 15 inches. Northern Pike were not observed during the 2023 survey. Low numbers of Northern Pike have been observed in past surveys, but limited vegetation combined with low water clarity greatly reduce spawning and foraging success for this species. Twenty-four Largemouth Bass were captured during the spring electrofishing survey. The modest catch indicated a decrease in abundance from the record high 2017 survey. No bass were captured during the 2001, 2006, and 2011 electrofishing surveys. Size structure of the electrofishing catch described a quality fishery. One hundred percent of the bass were over 12.0 inches and the largest bass observed was 19.4 inches. A lack of small bass indicates poor recruitment and may result in continued declines in future catch rates. Bluegill catch rates (17.9 fish/trap net) were the highest observed over the past four decades. Age distribution of Bluegill catches extended to age 5, but 74% of captures were young (ages 1 or 2). Consequently, average size was low (4.1 inches). Growth was rapid and did allow some individuals to reach almost 10 inches. Black Crappie catch rates declined significantly from the previous two surveys. Crappie catches were 0.0 and 0.3 fish/net for gill nets and trap nets, respectively. Although low, the 2023 catch rates resemble the historical averages for Black Crappie in Page Lake. Yellow Perch numbers remained near record highs (119.5/gill net). Multiple Yellow Perch larger than 13.0 inches were observed; however, 93.3% of the fish were less than 8.0 inches in length. Approximately 75% of the Yellow Perch sampled were less than two years old. Fast growth combined with an abundance of young fish in Page Lake may allow for increased angling opportunities in the coming years. Other species sampled during the 2023 survey included Black Bullhead and Common Carp. The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2029.

Page Lake is a 375-acre, shallow, and fertile prairie lake located a mile north of Hancock in southeast Stevens County. Maximum depth of the natural basin is 17.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 12.0 feet. The lake has a small watershed area and thus surface water elevations are strongly influenced by volume of snowmelt and stormwater runoff. Lake elevation readings varied by 8.0 feet from 1982 to 1990 after precipitation cycles shifted from a wet weather period to an extended drought. The threat of winterkill amplifies at low water levels. Very little water quality documentation exists for the lake. Algal blooms, which are common in mid- and late-summer, can reduce water transparency measurements to 4.0 feet or less. Aquatic plants are constrained by seasonally poor water clarity. Such habitat conditions can shape fish community structure. Vegetation-dependent and sight-feeding predators which include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike tend to persist at low densities. Those gamefishes most tolerant of habitat conditions include Walleye, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. A standard fish survey was completed in 2017 to gain updated documentation of fish community structure, gamefish abundance and size distribution, and assess success of Walleye stockings. Survey methodology included a spring electrofishing survey completed on May 18 to effectively sample the Largemouth Bass population. The netting component of the survey was conducted July 17-20. Gill nets and trap nets were utilized to sample the remaining fish community. Thirty-two Largemouth Bass were captured during the spring electrofishing survey. The modest catch confirmed expectations of limited abundance; however, catches greatly improved from those of prior surveys. No bass were captured during 2001 and 2006 electrofishing surveys. Size of captured bass ranged from 11.1 to 17.9 inches. Seven age classes were represented in the total catch. A fishable population has become established where it did not previously exist. Walleye proved to be abundant. Gill net catches averaged 14.7 fish/net. Catches ranged from 8.0 to 27.0 inches. Average length was 13.5 inches. The elevated catch rate and modest average size were attributable to success of fry stockings in 2014 and 2016. Three-year-olds made up 62% of the total catch. These fish should exceed 16.0 inches in 2018. Black Crappie also proved to be abundant in 2017. Age assignments extended to age 8. Reproductive success and survival of young crappies was exceptional in 2011. Six-year-old cohorts of this age class averaged 11.3 inches. The largest crappie caught measured 12.5 inches. As anticipated, Bluegill catches were low. However, the Bluegill population at time of the 2017 survey offered relatively unique opportunities to catch large fish. Sixteen of 25 trap net captures exceeded 8.0 inches. Three 10.0-inch Bluegills were measured. The Yellow Perch population also supported an increasingly unique fishery. Perch proved to be very abundant. Age assignments extended to age 6. Over 50% of perch captures were 10.0 inches and larger. The largest perch measured 12.7 inches in length. Only one Northern Pike was captured during the 2017 survey. It is apparent from increased angling activity and fishing reports that anglers are aware of Page Lake's quality fishing opportunities and fishing pressure has increased. Anglers are urged to exercise self-control and limit harvest to that which is enough for a meal. Such harvest constraint may extend quality fishing opportunities.

Page Lake is a shallow, very fertile lake located immediatley north of Hancock in southeast Stevens County. Maximum depth is approximately 17.0 ft. The lake receives extensive nutrient loading from its agricultural watershed via County Ditch 6A. These added nutrients often result in dense algal blooms during summer months. In absence of a severe bloom, water clarity averages approximately 5.0 ft. Seasonally poor water clarity and subsequent lack of submerged vegetation constitute a poor environment for cover-dependent and ambush feeding predators such as bluegill, northern pike and largemouth bass. Those gamefishes reasonably tolerant of existing habitat conditions include walleye, yellow perch, and black crappie. Even these gamefishes have been subject to infrequent winterkill events. Page Lake is stocked with walleye fry on an alternate year schedule. Contributions of stocking have been inconsistent. Survey catches in 2011 documented that the 2008 stocking was very successful. Walleye catches averaged 20.0 fish/gillnet. All captures were age-3. Average length of fish captured during the August survey was 16.0 inches. Mean weight of walleye captured was 1.4 pounds. A quality perch fishery currently exists in Page Lake. Twenty-one percent of survey captures exceeded 10.0 inches in length. Six percent of perch captures exceeded 12.0 inches. Growth is exceptional. Yellow perch in Page Lake approached 10.0 inches after three years. Average length of sampled perch was 8.8 inches. Mean weight was 0.36 pounds. A severe winterkill in 1989 claimed the black crappie population. No crappie were captured during 1991, 1995, and 2001 surveys. Adult black crappie were stocked in spring of 2002 in an effort to restore the population and enhance fishing potential. Restorative stocking was successful in achieving those objectives. Trapnet catches greatly exceeded expected catches for similar lakes. Ninety-four percent of captures were age-1 fish. Growth to age-3 was exceptional. Average length of these young fish was 9.6 inches. In absence of winterkill, these fish will provide an exceptional fishery beginning as early as 2012. Largemouth bass, northern pike, and bluegill are present, but population densities are low due to limiting habitat conditions. Young bluegill are observed, but due to lack of escape cover, few survive to catchable size. With little competition, survivors grow fast. Age-4 bluegill averaged 8.5 inches in total length. The largest bluegill captured during the 2011 survey was 9.5 inches.

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

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

Page has a maximum depth of 17 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Page is from 2023.

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