Games Lake Fishing guide

Games lies within the larger Chippewa River Watershed District and sub watershed of Upper Shakopee Creek. The Chippewa River Watershed District was the lead agency for coordinating: nutrient reduction measures, protection from invasive species, information/education, storm water management and the Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project prior to 2019. The local Soil Water Conservation District is currently the lead agency.

A comprehensive set of in-lake and watershed projects since the mid-1990's have been conducted/proposed as part of the Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project (e.g., lakeshore re-vegetation demonstration sites, buffer strips and grassed waterways, wetland restorations, septic system upgrades, livestock exclusion projects and other various agricultural and shoreland best management practice implementations) to reduce nutrient, bacteria and sediment inputs. The Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project was composed of individuals representing several lake associations (Florida, Norway & Games and Andrew), private landowners and various government agency personnel in order more efficiently enact beneficial watershed projects. Thus far, DNR Fisheries has provided assistance with lakeshore re-vegetation and water quality monitoring projects within the watershed.

Black Crappie abundance was low in 2024 (1.20 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (4.26 fish/trapnet) for Games Lake. The 2024 Black Crappie gillnet catch rate (0.25 fish/gillnet) was also below the historical average (2.70 fish/gillnet). The 2024 Black Crappie average size was moderate (0.54 pounds and 9.51 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.29 pounds from trapnets. The largest Black Crappie captured was 12.72 inches. Approximately 46% of the Black Crappie were 10.00 inches or larger from the 2024 survey nets. Black Crappie growth rates were within the normal ranges for ages 2-8 compared to area lakes. The 2020 year class comprised 46% of the Black Crappie summer survey catch in 2024.

Bluegill abundance was moderate in 2024 (25.10 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (36.66 fish/trapnet) for Games Lake. The 2024 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.20 pounds and 6.19 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.11 pounds from trapnets. Bluegill growth rates were within the normal ranges for ages 1-6 compared to area lakes. The 2021 year class comprised 31% of the Bluegill summer survey catch in 2024.

Largemouth Bass abundance was moderate (55.50 fish/hour) in the 2024 pre-spawn spring electrofishing survey. Largemouth Bass abundance was low (9.50 fish/hour) in the previous 2015 spring electrofishing survey. The 2024 Largemouth Bass average size was large (1.31 pounds and 12.97 inches) from spring electrofishing. The largest Largemouth Bass was 19.49 inches. Approximately 23% of the Largemouth Bass were 15.00 inches or larger from the spring electrofishing survey. Largemouth Bass growth rates were within or above the normal ranges for ages 2-8 compared to area lakes. The 2019 year class comprised 35% of the Largemouth Bass electrofishing survey catch in 2024.

Northern Pike abundance low in 2024 (1.50 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (5.53 fish/gillnet) for Games Lake. The 2024 Northern Pike average size was moderate (2.94 pounds and 23.89 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.66 pounds from gillnets. The largest Northern Pike was 27.99 inches. Approximately 53% of the Northern Pike were 24.00 inches or larger in the combined gillnets and trapnets. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Games in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two Northern Pike longer than 26.00 inches; and all from 22.00 to 26.00 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one Northern Pike may be between 22.00 and 26.00 inches or two larger than 26.00 inches.

Walleye abundance was low in 2024 (2.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (2.34 fish/gillnet) for Games Lake. The 2024 Walleye average size was moderate (1.24 pounds and 14.03 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.42 pounds from gillnets. The largest Walleye captured was 25.83 inches. Approximately 72% of the Walleye were 15.00 inches or larger from gillnets and trapnets combined. Walleye growth rates were within the normal ranges compared to area lakes. The 2019 year class comprised 41% of the Walleye summer survey catch in 2024.

Limited Walleye natural reproduction has been documented by past surveys in Games. YOY Walleye numbers were moderately abundant in 2017 (57.00 YOY/hour, 6.05 inches) and 2019 (40.00 YOY/hour, 5.75 inches) fall electrofishing surveys during fry stocked years. YOY Walleye numbers were fair in 2024 (10.00 YOY/hour, 6.51 inches). YOY Walleye fingerling survival to adult life stage appears poor based on the present survey catch. The Walleye population in Games Lake is due primarily to stocking or limited migration from Norway. Games Lake was recently stocked with Walleye in 2017 (255,002 fry), 2019 (242,957 fry), 2022 (182,674 fry), 2023 (201,248 fry) and 2024 (148,981 fry; 2,172 fingerlings, 356 pounds; 1,277 yearlings, 260 pounds).

Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2024 (8.25 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (22.14 fish/gillnet) for Games Lake. The 2024 Yellow Perch average size was small (0.11 pounds and 6.20 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.10 pounds. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 8.27 inches.

Freshwater Drum abundance was low in 2024 (2.75 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average catch rate (7.77 fish/gillnet) for Games Lake. The 2024 Freshwater Drum trapnet catch rate and average size (3.00 fish/gillnet, 2.76 pounds) was similar to the historical averages (2.99 fish/trapnet, 2.28 pounds). The 2024 Freshwater Drum average size was moderate (1.67 pounds and 15.59 inches) from gillnets. The Freshwater Drum historical average weight is 1.56 pounds from gillnets. The largest Freshwater Drum captured was 21.65 inches in 2024. Freshwater Drum are an under-utilized food fish. They are good to eat if prepared properly, especially if the small amounts of red and belly fat meat are trimmed from the fillets. Freshwater Drum are an excellent choice for a fish fry since they can be easy to catch in high numbers. Many good Freshwater Drum recipes can be located on the internet by searching "drum recipes".

Other fish species captured during 2024 included low numbers of Black Bullhead (0.20 fish/trapnet), Bowfin (0.60 fish/trapnet), Common Carp (0.00 fish/trapnet), Pumpkinseed Sunfish (1.00 fish/trapnet), Shortnose Gar (0.10 fish/trapnet) and Yellow Bullhead (1.90 fish/trapnet). Bigmouth Buffalo were caught in low numbers during past surveys but were not captured in 2019 or 2024.

Current fish management activities on Games Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, assisting aquatic plant management and enforcement personnel in educating boaters and monitoring access sites for potential invasive species introductions, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Games Lake fishery will be surveyed in 2026 and 2027 for YOY Walleye by Fall Electrofishing and 2029 summer for all fish species.