Fishing is a great opportunity for recreation in Kandiyohi County for locals and visitors alike. With so many lakes, ponds, streams and the Crow River, the opportunities for angling enthusiasts are nearly endless.
Game fish found in Kandiyohi County Lakes include Sunfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Northern Pike making the Willmar Lakes Area a popular Minnesota fishing destination.
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Fishing Reports
New 2025 Fishing Licenses Now Available
Now is the time of year for anglers and hunters to buy new fishing and hunting licenses. Most Minnesota fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for 2024 expired Feb. 28. Licenses for 2025 are now available wherever fishing and hunting licenses are sold, online and by telephone at 888-665-4236. Online buyers can print the license or choose to receive a text or email that when displayed on a mobile device serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to state conservation officers. As you prepare to purchase your new…
New Minnesota Fishing Regulations for 2025
The regulations can be found online, and printed copies are available anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold. (a list of what changed this year can be found on page 13) Here are some of the changes this year: Newly established daily and possession limits for American eel, yellow bass, whitefish, cisco, and burbot (eelpout). The Minnesota DNR added limits on whitefish, cisco and burbot to protect their populations from over-exploitation. In past years these fish had been classified as rough fish and had no limits on how many could be…
Fish House Reminder
Do you have a dark house, fish house, or portable on the ice? Remember to take your shelter off the ice no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 3rd! If you’re an angler who still wants to use a shelter after the deadline, you can continue to do so – just make sure your shelter is occupied/attended between midnight and an hour before sunrise. LEARN MORE HERE: dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/shelter.html
Fishing Report for 1-24-25
Ice fishing has been good on many of our area lakes with the average ice thickness being 17-20 inches. Stay clear of the aerators on the lakes as they can make the ice near there weaker. The walleye bite has slowed down a bit in the area, especially on Foot, Diamond, Green, Long, and East Solomon lakes. Crappie have been active lately, especially on Ringo, Diamond and Norway lakes, with the latter having an average of 11-12 inch crappie caught. When searching for Northern pike, try Nest Lake as anglers…
Fishing Report for 9-24-24
Fall fishing continues to improve, with many species feeding more aggressively. Anglers should stay on the move until fish are located, then drop a jig or live bait rig tipped with a minnow. Some walleye have been found near the green weed areas which hold baitfish and others can be found in 15-25 feet of water. Bass are responding well to jigs, plastics and crank baits along the weedlines. You can also find northern pike and panfish along the edges of the weeds using crank baits and spinner baits for…
Fishing Report for 7-11-24
Fishermen have been taking advantage of the non-rainy days lately and benefiting with an active bite. Early morning and evening hours remain the best times to fish. Anglers have been pulling good numbers of sunfish and crappie from Norway and Games lakes when using wax worms and power bait. As the temperatures rise this weekend, the crappie will likely hang around the 20 foot depth during the day and closer to the shallows at night. Bass and northern pike action remains strong, especially at the deeper weeds holding baitfish. Jigs…
Tips & Techniques to Catch Walleye During Fishing Opener
Dreaming of walleye? Fishing opener is this weekend and if you’re hoping to catch Minnesota’s state fish, brush up on tips and techniques! Here are a few free resources through our Minnesota Outdoor Skills & Stewardship Series: How to catch early season walleyes with DNR fisheries staff and walleye fishing experts Walleye fishing basics on open water with walleye expert Steve Robertson Walleye fishing for beginners with Becoming An Outdoorswoman Coordinator Linda Bylander. Information from the MN DNR Newsletter
Mother’s Day Weekend Fishing Challenge
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge! Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Student Angler Organization and Women Anglers of Minnesota to host the challenge. To participate in the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge, moms simply need to join the Facebook group called “Minnesota Moms Fishing…
Fishing Report for 5-10-24
Reminders for a Great Season Welcome to the 2024 fishing season! These fishing outlooks contain a wide range of fisheries information compiled from local DNR Fisheries staff. You can find more information about the management, habitat and oversight work performed by area fisheries staff, and how to contact them, on the DNR area fisheries pages. We hope you have a great fishing experience. And we also encourage you to take a kid fishing or introduce someone new to fishing! Check the DNR fishing webpage The DNR has a fishing page…
Fishing Report for 11-13-23
Few reports are available as anglers put away their boats for the season. Anglers that continue to venture out, however, are being rewarded for their efforts. Jig and minnow combinations remain the best bet for walleye and crappies.
Fishing Report for 10-31-23
Anglers that continue to venture out are enjoying a great bite. Jigs or spinners tipped with a crappie minnow or a fathead should catch the most fish. Walleye and crappie anglers are finding fish in the 10-15 ft range during low light hours and at night on Norway Lake, Minnetaga Lake, Big Kandiyohi Lake and Lake Lillian. Other lakes to try this week would be Green, Willmar, Foot, and Ringo lakes.
Fishing Report for 10-17-23
The lakes have cooled and the fish are hungry! This is the perfect week to get out and do some fishing in this beautiful weather! The lakes that have cooled the most and have quite a bit of running water would be my first choice to try. These lakes include Big Kandiyohi Lake, Minnetaga Lake and Lake Elizabeth. But with the calmer winds the northern end of Green Lake would be a good bet to catch walleye in the 25-20 foot range. Foot Lake has put out some nice walleye…