Minnesota · Lincoln County
Hendricks Lake Fishing guide
Hendricks Lake covers 1,522 acres in Lincoln County, Minnesota, reaching 9 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 22 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2022One of the best around12.8per gill net6"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 834 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 82 fish
2025Lengths measured · 84 fish
2024Lengths measured · 136 fish
2023Lengths measured · 32 fish
2022No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few3.4per gill net24"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 62 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2025Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2023Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022BluegillPresent0.6per seine haul1"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1229 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 181 fish
2025Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 101 fish
2023Lengths measured · 8 fish
2022Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappieLast stocked 2024Just a few0.5per trap net3"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1154 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 2816 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2024Lengths measured · 589 fish
2023Lengths measured · 1 fish
2022Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchLast stocked 2024Elite fishery47.9per gill net4"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 5749 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 706 fish
2025Lengths measured · 308 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4437 fish
2023Lengths measured · 102 fish
2022White bassOne of the best around27.6per gill net4"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 4917 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 77 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1836 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2837 fish
2023Lengths measured · 82 fish
2022Rates 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 Hendricks Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.6 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 3.6 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.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops. A 9-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 | Northern pike | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26" | 29" | 12" |
| 2024 | 26" | 33" | 12" |
| 2023 | 24" | 30" | 11" |
| 2022 | 22" | 32" | 12" |
| 2021 | 23" | 32" | 12" |
| 2020 | 25" | 38" | 12" |
| 2019 | 24" | 36" | 11" |
| 2018 | 24" | 32" | 12" |
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
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Black Crappie | 7,500 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Yellow Perch | 7,500 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 501,308 fry |
| 2021 | SPO | 4,340 adults |
| 2021 | Walleye | 500,776 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 250,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 500,000 fry · 1,285 yearlings · 1,515 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 500,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Hendricks Lake is on the Minnesota - South Dakota border and is adjacent to the southwestern Minnesota town of Hendricks. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks comanage the fishery and border waters fishing regulations apply. An aeration system is often operated during winter near the City of Hendricks by the Lake Hendricks Improvement Association. The system creates open water that is marked with warning signs.
Hendricks Lake is 1,557 acres and has a maximum depth of 9 feet. Gamefish in the lake include walleyes, yellow perch, white bass, northern pike and black crappies. This 2025 Targeted Survey was conducted to collect routine fish population data. These data can be compared to historical Standard and Targeted Survey data from Hendricks Lake.
Read the full DNR narrative
Hendricks Lake has often provided good walleye fishing. Walleye natural reproduction has been inconsistent and maintenance of a fishable population has required supplemental stockings. Newly hatched fry have been routinely stocked and older life stages have been stocked when necessary. Walleye fry from the Lower Mississippi Strain (Lake Sarah) have been stocked during recent years in an effort to develop a self-sustaining population. This strain has been found to do well in southern Minnesota lakes and recent genetic analysis has already found its prevalence to be high in Hendricks Lake. Three good natural year classes have been produced from 2022-2025, and there's high likelihood these are the result of spawning by the Lower Mississippi Strain of walleyes. Adult walleyes were abundant in 2025 and the net catch was above average for Hendricks Lake. Size was fairly evenly distributed between 13 and 22 inches with an average size of 17 inches.
Yellow perch and black crappie numbers can fluctuate widely in prairie lakes like Hendricks. An abundant population of perch was present in 2025 with the majority from 9-10.5 inches. Black crappie abundance has been low for several years.
Northern pike were moderately abundant with fish up to 30 inches present. Natural reproduction has maintained the pike population during recent years. Northern pike spearing is legal on Lake Hendricks. The season runs from November 15 through the last Sunday in February. The daily and possession limit is 3 and there are no size restrictions.
Moderate numbers of adult white bass were present, and most were 15-16 inches. White bass frequently have good reproduction and often produce high numbers of young-of-year. White bass have a firm, white flesh and they are good to eat. Their flavor can be improved by keeping slime off the fillets when cleaning and by trimming away the reddish meat from the outside of the fillets. Anglers are encouraged to harvest and eat them.
The black bullhead catch was moderate and considerably lower than 2022 when very high numbers were present. Most bullheads were 5-7 inches, with some up to 15 inches. Anglers who enjoy fishing bullheads are encouraged to give Lake Hendricks a try.
Future DNR Fisheries management activities will include netting surveys, fall night electrofishing, stocking fish when appropriate and winter dissolved oxygen monitoring.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Hendricks Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Hendricks 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
- Hendricks Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Hendricks Lake (S) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Hendricks Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Shaokotan Lake · 996 ac · 7.7 mi
- Steep Bank Lake · 199 ac · 7.9 mi
- Perch Lake · 246 ac · 9.4 mi
- Popowski Lake · 143 ac · 13.5 mi
- R6 Lake · 33 ac · 14.2 mi
- John Reservoir · 21 ac · 16.1 mi
- Stay Lake · 221 ac · 16.3 mi
- Del Clark Lake · 156 ac · 16.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Hendricks Lake?
Hendricks Lake reaches 9 ft at its deepest point; about 43% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Hendricks Lake?
Hendricks Lake covers 1,522 acres with about 12.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Hendricks Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Hendricks Lake average 3.6 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Hendricks Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white bass.
Is Hendricks Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked black crappie and yellow perch in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Hendricks Lake have a public access?
Yes. Hendricks Lake has 2 public access sites, including Hendricks Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Hendricks Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2018.
When was Hendricks Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Hendricks Lake in 2025, the most recent of 22 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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