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
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is Saturday, Jan. 17, through Monday, Jan. 19 During this three-day weekend, any Minnesota resident can go fishing for free if fishing with a child 15 years old or younger. Minnesotans 15 years old or younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year. Tips If You’re New to Ice Fishing Want to learn how to go ice fishing? We have helpful information on our website to get you started. Check the DNR learn to ice fish page for more information about ice fishing, including a recorded…
Fishing Report for 1-8-26
Fishing pressure around the area continues to increase as the ice gets thicker and it gets easier to get around on the lakes. Snow on lakes remains fairly light with many bare spots and drifts making travel not too much of a problem. Several accesses around the area are heaving up already making it difficult to get on certain places and creating some slush right at the base of the ramps. Green Lake continues to have a pretty good walleye bite in mornings or evenings in 15-30′ of water. Fish…
Fishing Report for 12-18-25
It’s been a slow start to the ice fishing season, with frigid temperatures, changing weather, inconsistent ice conditions, and enough snow to make travel tricky on many lakes. A few waters that have seen some activity include Norway, Andrew, South Ringo, Long Lake near Willmar, Foot, Wakanda, and Big Kandiyohi. There have been some reports of crappie action on Foot Lake around Robbins Island, as well as on Long Lake near Willmar. Norway Lake saw a bit of early walleye success before crowds moved in, but there isn’t a consistent…
Fishing Report for 12-9-25
Some of the shallower lakes have frozen over and have seen some walking and portables. Reports have been around 5-7 inches on the shallower lakes. Those that have been out have had good walleye and crappie action on Norway Lake. With our recent cold snap, we should be making ice at a steady rate over the next week or so. Anglers must use extreme caution when venturing out onto the ice. Ice is never 100% safe and ice conditions can vary greatly from one lake to another, and on the…
Fishing Report for 11-12-25
Few reports are available as most open water anglers have called it quits and eagerly await the ice fishing season. Those that have been out are still catching crappie from Lake Florida, perch from Eagle Lake, and crappie and perch from Long Lake. Please remember that water temperatures are very cold on most Minnesota waters. It is extremely important to wear a life jacket when out on the water due to the risk of hypothermia. Learn more.
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…