Minnesota · Yellow Medicine County
Del Clark Lake Fishing guide
Del Clark Lake covers 156 acres in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, reaching 30 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 6.4 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.9per gill net18"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 74 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 26 fish
2025Lengths measured · 52 fish
2023Lengths measured · 48 fish
2022Lengths measured · 43 fish
2019Largemouth bassJust a few12per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 61 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2025Lengths measured · 31 fish
2022Lengths measured · 9 fish
2019Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2016Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeGood numbers10.1per gill net23"Typical44"Biggest
Lengths measured · 108 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 59 fish
2025Lengths measured · 49 fish
2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2019Lengths measured · 41 fish
2016BluegillJust a few9.3per trap net1"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 375 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 210 fish
2025Lengths measured · 165 fish
2022Lengths measured · 19 fish
2019Lengths measured · 167 fish
2016CrappieJust a few1.2per trap net2"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 33 fish
2025Lengths measured · 92 fish
2022Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019Lengths measured · 34 fish
2016Yellow perchOne of the best around63.3per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 834 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 407 fish
2025Lengths measured · 427 fish
2022Lengths measured · 180 fish
2019Lengths measured · 346 fish
2016White bassFair numbers0.8per gill net15"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 8 fish
2025Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2022Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2016Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Del Clark Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27" | 44" | 17" |
| 2023 | 6" | — | — |
| 2022 | 24" | 34" | 18" |
| 2019 | 26" | 27" | 3" |
| 2016 | 26" | 40" | 3" |
| 2013 | 25" | 40" | 18" |
| 2010 | 28" | 28" | 18" |
| 2008 | 5" | — | — |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 367 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Del Clark Lake is located one mile southwest of Canby. It is an impoundment on Canby Creek that has a surface area of 154 acres and maximum depth of 30 feet. The Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District owns the property around the lake, including Stonehill Regional Park. The park provides shore angling locations, two boat launches, a swimming beach, camping and hiking. This 2025 standard survey was conducted to collect routine fish population data. These data can be compared to historical standard and targeted survey data from Del Clark Lake.
Del Clark Lake offers fishing opportunities for bluegills, black crappies, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleyes, yellow perch and white bass. Walleyes were lower in abundance in 2025 than in previous surveys. They were 7-28 inches, averaging 19 inches. Historically, walleyes have reproduced well, and the population has primarily been maintained by natural reproduction. However, due to a recent decline in walleye numbers and an increase in northern pike numbers, approximately 350 adult walleyes were stocked during fall 2025 to supplement the population. Additionally, walleye fry will be stocked more frequently going forward in an attempt to increase the walleye population. These genetically preferred Lower Mississippi Strain (Lake Sarah) fry will be stocked with hopes of establishing better natural walleye recruitment.
Read the full DNR narrative
Del Clark is known for producing large northern pike and fish over 20 pounds have been caught. Relatively high numbers of pike were present during the 2025 survey. They averaged 25 inches with the largest measuring 44 inches. Del Clark is in the Southern Northern Pike Management Zone where the possession limit for northern pike is two with a minimum size limit of 24 inches.
Moderate numbers of bluegills were caught. Most of them were small with an average size of six inches and the largest measured less than nine inches. Low numbers of black crappies were caught, but the largest were near 13 inches. Yellow perch were abundant, but relatively small with most less than 8 inches. Good numbers of largemouth bass were present with some over 17 inches.
Planned DNR Fisheries management activities include fish surveys, winter fishing pressure counts, fall night electrofishing to assess young walleye abundance and stocking walleyes.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Del Clark Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Del Clark Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Del Clark Lake Access #2 (trailer launch)
- Del Clark Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Del Clark Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Sylvan Lake · 5 ac · 1.2 mi
- R6 Lake · 33 ac · 3.7 mi
- John Reservoir · 21 ac · 4.9 mi
- Porter Reservoir · 16 ac · 8.6 mi
- Steep Bank Lake · 199 ac · 10.7 mi
- Perch Lake · 246 ac · 12.4 mi
- Popowski Lake · 143 ac · 12.7 mi
- Hendricks Lake · 1,522 ac · 16.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Del Clark Lake?
Del Clark Lake reaches 30 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 13 ft; about 56% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Del Clark Lake?
Del Clark Lake covers 156 acres with about 4.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Del Clark Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Del Clark Lake average 6.4 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Del Clark Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white bass.
Is Del Clark Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025.
Does Del Clark Lake have a public access?
Yes. Del Clark Lake has 2 public access sites, including Del Clark Lake Access #2 (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Del Clark Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2008.
When was Del Clark Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Del Clark Lake in 2025, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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