Minnesota · Meeker County
Greenleaf Lake Fishing guide
Greenleaf Lake covers 238 acres in Meeker County, Minnesota, reaching 18 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 2.4 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Excellent numbers6per gill net17"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 39 fish
2022Lengths measured · 29 fish
2017Lengths measured · 49 fish
2012Lengths measured · 2 fish
2006Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassGood numbers74.2per hr (electrofishing)6"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 28 fish
2022Lengths measured · 58 fish
2017Lengths measured · 6 fish
2012Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 114 fish
2006Northern pikeGood numbers10per gill net24"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 69 fish
2022Lengths measured · 57 fish
2017Lengths measured · 83 fish
2012Lengths measured · 53 fish
2006BluegillFair numbers41.4per trap net4"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 433 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 380 fish
2022Lengths measured · 53 fish
2022Lengths measured · 118 fish
2017Lengths measured · 107 fish
2012CrappieJust a few5.4per trap net8"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 286 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 126 fish
2022Lengths measured · 160 fish
2022Lengths measured · 142 fish
2017Lengths measured · 143 fish
2012Yellow perchGood numbers10.3per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 69 fish
2022Lengths measured · 290 fish
2017Lengths measured · 31 fish
2012Lengths measured · 122 fish
2006Rates 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 Greenleaf Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.4 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 76% 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. A 18-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 2.4 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. With 76% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze. A 18-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 27" | 20" | 34" |
| 2017 | 24" | 20" | 35" |
| 2012 | 25" | 19" | 33" |
| 2006 | 19" | 17" | 32" |
| 1996 | 27" | 20" | 38" |
| 1993 | 24" | 18" | 28" |
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 · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Skirted Casting Jig + Craw Trailer
3.5–4" craw-style trailer on a skirted casting/flipping jig
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 90,172 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 91,337 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 90,148 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 180,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 180,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 180,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 179,970 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Greenleaf is a small lake (238 acres) located south of the City of Litchfield in Meeker County. A state-owned access with a single cement boat ramp is present on the south shore. Greenleaf has three miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 18 feet. The lakeshore is mostly undeveloped, which creates a scenic atmosphere. Anglers can also access Sioux Lake to the north for additional angling opportunities. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Greenleaf is a class 34 lake and other similar lakes in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Spring and Willie in Meeker County. Curlyleaf pondweed can be abundant in the shallows in May and June at Greenleaf. A fishing pier is present at the public access. The Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area surrounds the public boat access and offers hiking trails and picnic tables.
Walleye were sampled in moderate numbers in 2022 (6 per gill net), with fish averaging 17 inches in length. The longest Walleye sampled was almost 28 inches. Approximately 72% of the catch was 16 inches and longer. Walleye were age-1 to age-13 with eight year classes being present. Naturally reproduced Walleye contributed substantially to the 2022 catch, with approximately 44% of the catch being from a non-stocked year. Walleye fry are routinely stocked at Greenleaf Lake.
Read the full DNR narrative
High numbers of Northern Pike were gill netted this year with fish averaging 24 inches in length. Approximately 27% of pike netted were 26 inches or longer. Northern pike regulations were revised at a statewide level beginning in 2018 to better accommodate regional differences in pike habitats and population abundance and size structuring. Three zones were established for northern pike with their own bag and length limit restrictions. In the north-central zone where Greenleaf Lake is found, anglers can keep up to 10 northern pike, but no more than two pike larger than 26 inches; and all pike from 22 to 26 inches must be released. This zone regulation is meant to reduce small pike abundance by shifting population size structure back to more medium to large pike.
Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were netted in 2022. Fair numbers of 9 inch and longer crappie were sampled in both gill nets and trap nets, with the longest Black Crappie being just over 11 inches. Moderate numbers of Yellow Perch were netted and most were small, but they provide important forage for the lake's predator species. High numbers of Bluegill were captured in the trap nets and most were on the small side, but fair numbers of 6 and 7 fish were present with the longest fish being just over 8 inches.
Although gill nets and trap nets are typically not used to evaluate Largemouth Bass populations, both gears indicated that at least fair number of this species were present. The longest Largemouth Bass sampled was just over 20 inches. Greenleaf has a reputation of producing large-sized bass.
Other fishes that anglers may encounter include Black Bullhead, Bowfin (dogfish), Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Tadpole Madtom and Yellow Bullhead.
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local MNDNR office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Greenleaf Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Greenleaf 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
- Greenleaf Lake (trailer launch)
- Greenleaf Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Greenleaf Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Willie Lake · 192 ac · 1.3 mi
- Erie Lake · 190 ac · 2.5 mi
- Cedar Lake · 1,860 ac · 2.8 mi
- Minnie-Belle Lake · 597 ac · 3.2 mi
- Belle Lake · 864 ac · 3.3 mi
- Manuella Lake · 293 ac · 3.3 mi
- Hoff Lake · 139 ac · 3.5 mi
- Stella Lake · 599 ac · 4.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Greenleaf Lake?
Greenleaf Lake reaches 18 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 6 ft; about 76% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Greenleaf Lake?
Greenleaf Lake covers 238 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Greenleaf Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Greenleaf Lake average 2.4 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Greenleaf Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Greenleaf Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Greenleaf Lake have a public access?
Yes. Greenleaf Lake has 2 public access sites, including Greenleaf Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Greenleaf 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 1993.
When was Greenleaf Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Greenleaf Lake in 2022, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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