Minnesota · Kandiyohi County
Foot Lake Fishing guide
Foot Lake sits in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, and covers 503 acres, reaching 24 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 2.3 ft of visibility. 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 2025Fair numbers3.7per gill net7"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 78 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 78 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2020Lengths measured · 2 fish
2018Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2017Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeGood numbers11per gill net20"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 39 fish
2025Lengths measured · 16 fish
2020Lengths measured · 6 fish
2014Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 19 fish
2009BluegillJust a few14.5per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 91 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 91 fish
2025Lengths measured · 157 fish
2020Lengths measured · 25 fish
2014Lengths measured · 227 fish
2009CrappieJust a few6.3per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 76 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 76 fish
2025Lengths measured · 51 fish
2020Lengths measured · 77 fish
2014Lengths measured · 307 fish
2009Yellow perchFair numbers1.7per gill net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2020Lengths measured · 35 fish
2014Lengths measured · 142 fish
2009Rates 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 Foot Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 2.3 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.3 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34" | 20" | 9" |
| 2020 | 29" | 23" | 9" |
| 2018 | — | 6" | — |
| 2017 | — | 11" | — |
| 2016 | — | 14" | — |
| 2014 | 33" | 21" | 9" |
| 2009 | 28" | 26" | 7" |
| 2004 | 31" | 22" | 9" |
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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
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
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
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 | 149,314 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 150,941 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 152,525 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 330,059 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 377,895 fry · 1,590 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 300,000 fry · 6,019 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 357,952 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 404,208 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 504,388 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A standard survey was conducted on Foot Lake during late July of 2025. A fall night electrofishing survey was conducted for young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye during early September of 2025. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass).
Foot is a moderate size (692 acres), multi basin, aerated, shallow (663 littoral acres) and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Foot is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. Foot Lake is located within the city limits of Willmar. There are two distinct basins (northwest and southeast) bisected by a county road and connected via several large culverts. MNDNR Fisheries has considered the southeast basin as part of Foot Lake (34-0181-00) for management purposes since the 1980's. MNDNR Ecological Waters Resources identifies the southeast basin as part of Willmar Lake (34-0180-02). A large city park "Robbin's Island" is located along the east side of the southeast basin. The Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds is located along the south shore of the northwest basin. Ridgewater College is located on the north shore of the northwest basin. There are 86 homes and several nearby apartment buildings (2020 survey) on Foot Lake. There are two public boat access sites with one site on each basin. A new shore fishing area with concrete platforms has been developed along the jetty on the southeast basin of Foot Lake in Robbins Island Park. Another shore fishing area is located on the north shore near the two large culverts of the southeast basin. The fishing piers/areas are popular spots for catching Walleye, Northern Pike and Channel Catfish in the lake. Foot is also connected to Willmar Lake via an upstream navigable channel. Fish movement between the Foot Lake basins and Willmar Lake occurs frequently. The Foot Lake outlet is considered the headwaters of Hawk Creek, although Eagle Lake and several shallow lakes are located upstream of Foot and Willmar. These lakes are connected via ditches and inlets that eventually flow to Willmar Lake. The outlet dam is located along the southwest shore of the northwest basin. There are 27 inlets/tiles that enter Foot Lake. Nutrient inputs into Foot Lake are from varied sources such as road runoff via Highway 23/71, storm sewer runoff from the city of Willmar, residential lawn runoff, fecal droppings from local Canada goose populations, and agricultural runoff primarily in the northwest basin. Nutrient levels (total phosphorus=0.060 ppm, chlorophyll a=25.8 ppb) were moderate to high in the southeast basin on July 13, 2020. Shoalwater substrates were varied in both basins with sand, silt, detritus, gravel, boulder, and sand. Historically, both Foot and Willmar basins, and surrounding wetlands have been altered over time by dredging and filling.
Read the full DNR narrative
The northwest basin is approximately 6 feet deep maximum, moderate to abundant submergent vegetation and moderate water clarity. The southeast basin has a maximum depth of 24 feet, sparse submergent vegetation (sago pondweed and curly-leaf pondweed) and poor water clarity (secchi=2.3 feet on July 22, 2025). An aquatic vegetation transect survey was done only in the southeast basin in 2025. Emergent vegetation (cattails, bulrush) is common near the channel area next to Willmar and scattered throughout the near shore areas of the northwest basin. Blue-green algae blooms are common occurrences during the late summer months of most years. Dissolved oxygen was less than 1.0 ppm at 15 feet depth and below. Water levels were low during the spring, but high by the summer of 2025. Foot Lake has been a popular fishing lake for Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass in recent years.
Black Crappie numbers were abundant in 2025 (6.33 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 5.74 fish/trapnet for Foot Lake. Black Crappie gillnet catch was also high (12.67 fish/gillnet), but the average size was small (0.16 pounds) in 2025. The 2025 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.42 pounds and 8.60 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.35 pounds from trapnets. The 2025 Black Crappie catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) was high (4.17 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie growth rates were normal for ages 1-4, but below normal for ages 5-7. The 2024 and 2023 year classes comprised 42% and 29% respectively of the 2025 Black Crappie catch. The largest Black Crappie captured was 11.73 inches in 2025.
Bluegill numbers were high (14.50 fish/trapnet) in 2025 compared to the historical average catch rate (10.48 fish/trapnet) for Foot Lake. Low numbers of small sized Bluegill (1.33 fish/gillnet, 0.10 pounds average weight) were captured in the 2025 gillnets. The 2025 Bluegill average size was also small in the trapnets (0.07 pounds and 4.24 inches). The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.22 pounds from trapnets. The catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches and larger) Bluegill was low (0.50 fish/trapnet) in 2025. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.62 inches in 2025.
Channel Catfish abundance was low in 2025 (0.33 fish/gillnet, 16.26 inches average). Channel Catfish were not captured in 2014 or 2020 survey nets. Channel Catfish were captured in 2009 gillnets (0.33 fish/gillnet, 15.35 inches average). Channel Catfish fingerlings (4,891 fish, 75 pounds) were last stocked into Foot during 2013.
Largemouth Bass were absent from the 2025 survey nets. Largemouth Bass abundance was high in the 2020 gillnet survey (1.67 fish/gillnet). The Largemouth Bass average weight was 1.27 pounds in 2020 survey. A spring electrofishing survey was not conducted for Largemouth Bass in 2025 due to time constraints. Summer catches from gillnets and trapnets often underestimate actual Largemouth abundance due to net avoidance unlike electrofishing.
Northern Pike were abundant in 2025 (11.00 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 4.13 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was small (2.24 pounds and 21.42 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.50 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of quality size (21.00 inches and larger) was high (5.00 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of 26.00 inches and larger was low (0.67 fish/gillnet) in 2025. The largest Northern Pike captured was 34.76 inches in 2025.
Walleye numbers were low in 2025 (3.67 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 5.52 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. Walleye were abundant and slightly larger size in connected Willmar Lake (14.00 fish/gillnet, 1.41 pounds average weight). The 2025 Walleye average size was moderate (1.09 pounds and 14.01 inches) from Foot gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.72 pounds from Foot gillnets. The 2025 Walleye catch rate of quality size (15.00 inches and larger) was low (1.33 fish/gillnet). Walleye growth rates were normal for ages 1-3 and below normal for ages 4-8. The 2023 and 2022 year classes (fry stocked) comprised 42% and 33% of the 2025 Walleye summer catch. The largest Walleye captured was 20.47 inches in 2025.
Walleye natural reproduction in Foot Lake is generally infrequent and insignificant based on previous fall and summer surveys. Walleye fry were generally stocked (150,000-670,000 fish per lake) during even years from 1982-2018 in both Willmar and Foot. Recent Walleye stockings include 2025 (149,314 fry), 2024 (150,941 fry), 2023 (152,525 fry), 2022 (330,059 fry), 2021 (377,895 fry; 1,590 fingerlings, 106 pounds), 2019 (300,000 fry; 6,019 fingerlings, 521 pounds), and 2018 (357,952 fry). YOY Walleye abundance was high (186.00 YOY/hour, 6.81 inches average) in 2025 Foot fall night electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye abundance was also high (180.00 YOY/hour, 7.09 inches average) in Willmar Lake during 2025. Young of year "YOY" Walleye (fry stockings) were previously abundant in the 2014 fall night electrofishing surveys for Foot (216.00 YOY/hour, 5.59 inches average) and connected Willmar (192.00 YOY/hour, 5.63 inches average). YOY Walleye abundance was low (15.00 YOY/hour or less) in 2016-2019 fall night electrofishing surveys for both Foot and Willmar.
Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2025 (1.67 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 6.15 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.20 pounds and 7.02 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.18 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Yellow Perch catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) was low (0.67 fish/gillnet). The largest Yellow Perch captured was 9.61 inches in 2025.
Black Bullhead abundance was moderate in 2025 (18.33 fish/gillnet) compared to other area lakes, but below the historical average catch rate (108.91 fish/gillnet) for Foot Lake. Low numbers of Black Bullhead were captured in the 2025 trapnets (0.67 fish/trapnet). The 2025 Black Bullhead catch rate was 11.00 fish/gillnet (0.63 pounds average weight) from nearby Willmar Lake. The 2025 Black Bullhead average size was moderate (0.56 pounds and 9.86 inches) from Foot gillnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weight is 0.36 pounds from Foot gillnets.
Common Carp abundance was low in 2025 (1.50 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 2.83 fish/trapnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 Common Carp average size was moderate (4.49 pounds and 20.57 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 4.68 pounds from trapnets.
Freshwater Drum abundance was high in 2025 (7.33 fish/gillnet). The Freshwater Drum historical average catch rate is 6.22 fish/gillnet for Foot Lake. The 2025 trapnet catch rate was 1.33 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Freshwater Drum average size was moderate (1.12 pounds and 13.64 inches) from trapnets. The 2025 Freshwater Drum average weight and length were 1.43 pounds and 14.84 inches from gillnets. The Freshwater Drum historical average weights are 1.23 pounds and 1.41 pounds respectively from gillnets and trapnets.
Current fish management activities on Foot include protecting the important aquatic habitats such as emergent and submergent vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, encouraging land owners to implement best management practices in the watershed, and stocking various fish species as warranted. All fish species in Foot Lake will be surveyed again in the summer of 2030.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Foot Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Foot 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
- Foot Lake (trailer launch)
- Foot Lake, Co Rd 41 (trailer launch)
- Foot Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Foot Lake Shore Fishing Site (shore fishing)
DNR bathymetry
Foot Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Willmar Lake · 636 ac · 1.2 mi
- East Solomon Lake · 658 ac · 3.7 mi
- Eagle Lake · 850 ac · 4.6 mi
- Point Lake · 174 ac · 4.9 mi
- Long Lake · 1,573 ac · 4.9 mi
- Wakanda Lake · 1,760 ac · 6.2 mi
- Ringo Lake · 735 ac · 7 mi
- Henderson Lake · 75 ac · 7.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Foot Lake?
Foot Lake reaches 24 ft at its deepest point; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Foot Lake?
Foot Lake covers 503 acres with about 6.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Foot Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Foot Lake average 2.3 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Foot Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Foot Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Foot Lake have a public access?
Yes. Foot Lake has 4 public access sites, including Foot Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Foot Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 34"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2004.
When was Foot Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Foot Lake in 2025, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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