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
Fishing Report for 10-24-25
Fish across the county are still in prime “late-fall” feeding mode. As blustery winds have subsided and frosty nights have warmed, this weekend may be the last best chance for some good action, at least without your snow suit and insulated boots. Although water temps have dipped to the low 50’s in the deeper lakes and into the upper 40’s in the shallower lakes, a slight warming trend should keep fish in the feeding mood for another week. Look for the best bite window to be from late afternoon to…
Fishing Tips for Fall in Minnesota
From Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Newsletter October 22, 2025 Fall Bass Fishing Tips For tips and tricks on fishing for and catching bass in the fall, check out the MNDNR recorded webinar. Want to read more about fall bass fishing? Read this fall bass fishing editorial from In-Fisherman magazine. Also a reminder: on inland waters (except northeast zone), smallmouth bass are catch and release this time of year. Pike Packing on the Weight Northern pike attain some of their largest weights of the season as they feast ahead of winter. In large lakes…
Fishing Report for Boaters 9-29-25
By Dave Coahran Water temperatures are still in the mid-70’s which is very warm for this time of the year. Walleye are aggressively biting on Green Lake in 20-30 feet on live bait or jigs and plastics. Also on Green, good reports of Walleye hitting shad raps trolled in 12-17 feet on the north side. Good reports of Walleye biting on Lake Florida also. Big Kandiyohi and Long (near Willmar) lakes producing Walleye in 4-7 feet of water. Lakes with good populations of these species: Sunfish – for larger sunfish…
Shore Fishing Report for 9-29-25
Late Summer/Fall Shore Fishing Report By Tyler Gilson Fisheries Technician at Spicer Fisheries and New London Hatchery Walleye – Green Lake has kicked out few eaters from docks after sunset, remember the walleye limit on Green Lake is 3 walleyes. They can be caught on bobber and leeches from shore/docks. Ringo Lake can be hit or miss due to high amounts of forage in there (perch and shiners) so the bite could be very tough for walleye anglers. Willmar and Foot lakes are a good choice for walleyes, just look…
Fishing Report for 8-26-25
Enjoy some excellent late summer fishing in the Willmar Lakes Area! Panfish are still quite active on most area lakes. Northern, crappie and sunfish are being pulled from Diamond, Norway, Eagle and Nest lakes in the shallows. Green Lake has produced some nice sized sunfish in the shallows and walleye in the 25-35 foot depths. Trolling in the early evening seems to work best. Other lakes to try for walleye this time of year are Diamond Lake and Big Kandiyohi Lake. Bass remain quite active on Eagle Lake and Green…
Fishing Report for 7-15-25
The fish have moved into their summer locations by now so anglers are encouraged to stay mobile until a group of fish is located. Crawlers and leeches on live bait rigs are turning the majority of fish in waters ranging from 8-20 feet deep. Crappies can be found suspended over deep water and along the weedlines. Large bass are coming from the shady areas under docks and overhanging trees and along the deep weedlines. Anglers have found walleye in the shallows while pulling plugs in the evenings on Green Lake…
Fishing Report for 6-17-25
As the water temperatures rise, the fishing action does as well in the Willmar Lakes Area! Water temperatures are well over 65 degrees in area lakes, causing many species of fish to begin their transition from spring to summer patterns. Walleye are starting to lose interest in minnows so try jigs and live bait rigs tipped with leeches and crawlers instead. The most active walleye have been found on Solomon, South Long, Willmar, Foot and Ringo lakes. Bass and northern pike have been very active on most area lakes. Sunfish…
Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge
Join the statewide challenge! Let’s get reel, moms! Join the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Student Angler Organization and Women Anglers of Minnesota for a free virtual fishing challenge just for Minnesota moms during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend from May 10-11. This year, like every year on Mother’s Day weekend, all moms across Minnesota can fish for free without a license. And, for the third year in a row, moms who want even more fun can take part in the online Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge! Sign Up Today by Clicking Here…
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…