Mill

Mill Lake is a 167-acre lake that is primarily managed for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye and secondarily managed for Black Crappie and Bluegill. Walleye fingerlings are stocked biennially but age-2 fish were stocked in 2017 and 2025. The lake is located 9 miles southeast of Browerville and has relatively low residential development. The maximum depth is 18 feet and water clarity has been 10-11 feet during recent surveys. Mill lake has a variety of submerged, emergent, and floating-leaf vegetation along the shoreline. A standard survey was conducted during 2025 and included spring electrofishing and summer gill netting. Northern Pike had a catch rate of 4.8 fish/net (total = 29), the highest recorded since 1995 (5.5 fish/net). Catch rates during the last four surveys have varied between 1.5-3.7 fish/net. During 2025, fish ranged in size from 17.8-38.9 inches (average = 15.7 inches) with 35% over 24 inches. This was a decline in size structure from 2019 (average = 26.9 inches; 93% over 24 inches) and 2013 (average = 27.8 inches; 82% over 24 inches). Mill has historically provided a notable Northern Pike fishery with fish over 30 inches regularly sampled. Due to the recent increase in pike abundance, anglers are encouraged to harvest fish that are less than 22 inches. The catch rate of Largemouth Bass while electrofishing was 71.7 fish/hour (total = 77). Numbers of bass have been declining over the years after hitting an all-time high during 2013 (157.7 fish/hour). During 2025, Largemouth Bass measured 3.3-14.5 inches (average = 10.0 inches). The population is predominantly made up of fish that are 6.5-8.9 inches and 11.0-14.5 inches, with a complete absence of fish over 15 inches. Mill Lake has been reported to winterkill on occasion, which may explain the decline in abundance and size structure. Walleye had a catch rate of 5.7 fish/net (total = 34), which was a record high. The previous survey during 2019 had a catch rate of 2.8 fish/net and from 1995-2013 the catch was less than 0.5 fish/net. Walleye ranged in size from 10.0-24.1 inches (average = 15.7 inches) during 2025. Length frequency data indicated that multiple cohorts of stocked fish were present providing anglers with a variety of sizes. Fish were reaching 12.9 inches by age-2, 16.1 inches by age-4, 16.8 inches by age-6, 18.9 inches by age-8, and 23.5 inches by age-10. The recent increase in numbers should improve opportunities for anglers to harvest fish. Gill netting resulted in the capture of 28 Bluegill and 18 Black Crappie. Bluegill were 3.8-9.8 inches (average = 6.5 inches), and Black crappie measured 5.6-10.6 inches (average = 9.0 inches). Bluegill and Black Crappie are generally abundant but slow growing. Yellow Perch were caught at a rate of 4.3 fish/net. The relative abundance of Yellow Perch has continually declined since 1995 (34.5 fish/net), with 2019 (3.8 fish/net) having the lowest catch on record. Fish collected during 2025 measured 5.4-8.8 inches (average = 6.3 inches). Length frequency data show a notable reduction in the number of fish over 7 inches. This decline may be of concern as Yellow Perch are a source of forage for Northern Pike. However, Black Crappie have been abundant in prior surveys and may help to provide additional prey opportunities for Northern Pike. Other species that were captured included Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, and Hybrid Sunfish.

An ice-out assessment was conducted in late April primarily to evaluate the Northern Pike and Walleye size structures in Mill Lake and to document whether significant winterkill occurred. In the past, gill nets indicated that the lake had the potential to produce quality size pike and a Walleye fingerling stocking program was initiated in 2016 in the hopes of developing a desirable Walleye population. A total of 42 Northern Pike were captured in the 2023 ice-out assessment ranging in length from 19 to 38.7 inches. Mean length was exceptional for this work area at 29.2 inches. The 2023 length frequency data exhibited other quality characteristics such as 88% of pike exceeding 24 inches, 36% longer than 30 inches, and five fish over 36 Inches. The 2023 assessment produced a sample of 35 Walleye which ranged from 9.6 to 25.2 inches in length. Ice-out assessment catches are usually dominated by spawning adults. In the case of Mill Lake, the largest Walleye could not be older than Age 7 thus few would be expected to exceed 25 inches. The 2023 size distribution shows good representation of many size classes indicating success from most if not all stocking events. The 2019 gill net assessment captured 2.83 Walleye per lift indicating a population level approaching management goals. Catches of Black Crappie have been consistently high in all gear types used on Mill Lake indicating a historically elevated abundance level. A total of 442 Black Crappie were captured in the 2023 ice-out assessment ranging in size from 3.9 to 11.9 inches. Size structure has also been consistently poor and 89% of the 2023 sample was less than 9 inches long. Mean length was 6.8 inches. Aging results from electrofishing in 2019 indicate that growth rates are poor with growth slowing dramatically once the fish reach 8 inches and many older fish (Ages 6-10+) never reaching 9 inches. Size structure is not limited by harvest but the high population and slow growth. Excessive angler harvest is not a problem on Mill Lake. The 2023 Bluegill sample consisted of 117 fish ranging from 3.4 to 8.6 inches in length with 42% greater than seven inches long and 5.2% over 8 inches. Bluegill over 9 inches have never been sampled in spring trap net assessments. Bluegill growth is slow with Age 6 fish averaging 6.5 inches and Age 8 fish averaging 7 inches. The low prevalence of fish over 8 inches may be caused by poor growth, excessive angler harvest or both. A total of 21 Largemouth Bass between 6 and 14.1 inches long were also netted. Other species sampled in modest numbers included Hybrid Sunfish (20 fish) and Pumpkinseed (34 fish). Catches of gamefish species were good suggesting the winterkill was insignificant and should have little or no impact on the fishery.

Mill Lake is a 167-acre lake about 8 miles southeast of Browerville. The lake has light residential development and activity is generally pretty quiet. Water clarity historically has been variable. In July 2019, clarity was measured to 11 feet. There is a variety of submerged, floating-leaf and emergent vegetation around the lake's perimeter. Maximum depth is 18 feet. The fishery is characterized by abundant Black Crappies that grow very slowly and are small in average size, usually around eight inches. Bluegills are similarly abundant; most sampled are less than seven inches. The Largemouth Bass population is comprised of a wide range of sizes with fish up to 18 inches sampled during spring electrofishing surveys. Bass fishing can be very good at times. Walleyes are stocked, most recently with fingerlings and adults however, it appears that only a low-density population has been established. A total of 21 Walleyes ranging from 11-22 inches were sampled in 2019. Perhaps the most notable fishery in Mill Lake is Northern Pike. While the population is best described as low-density, individual sizes can be impressive with fish over 30 inches regularly sampled during surveys. This population of large pike however is very fragile and the removal of just a few can have serious negative impacts. Additional survey efforts are planned to better understand pike abundance and size structure. At this time, anglers and spearers are encouraged to harvest only pike less than 22 inches.

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

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

Mill has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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