Minnesota · Wright County
Henshaw Lake Fishing guide
Henshaw Lake is a 272-acre lake in Wright County, Minnesota, reaching 8 ft at its deepest point. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 1 time, most recently in 2006, with bluegill and crappie in the nets. That survey is 20 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
BluegillNo recent survey ratingNo recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
Lengths measured · 80 fish
CrappieNo recent survey ratingNo recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
Lengths measured · 569 fish
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 Henshaw Lake through the year
Bluegill
- Spring
- Bluegill are on the beds in firm-bottomed shallows, in colonies of dozens. On a clear lake those colonies sit deeper than you expect.
- Early summer
- Bluegill are off the beds and onto the weed edges and brush, the biggest ones pulling out first.
- Summer
- Bluegill are on the deep weedline of a stratified lake, sliding out as the surface starts back down. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Bluegill are back up onto the flats and into the last green weeds, feeding hard while the shallows still hold heat. A 8-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Crappie
- Spring
- Crappie are up in the back bays and against wood in a few feet of water, spawning shallower than most people fish for them.
- Early summer
- Crappie are pulling off the bays to the first deep weed edge and brush, still reachable shallow at dusk.
- Summer
- Crappie are over the basin of a stratified lake, well off any structure, which is why summer netting barely catches them inshore. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Crappie are schooled along the deep weedline and the basin edge, pushing shallow to feed at dusk while the water still turns over slowly. A 8-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.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Bluegill · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
Bluegill · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
Crappie · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
Crappie · 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.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2006 survey
Henshaw Lake is located three miles southwest of Maple Lake in Wright County. It has a surface area of 262 acres and a maximum depth of nine feet. The watershed is 9,717 acres, mostly agricultural, and water quality is poor. Henshaw Lake lies within the Clearwater River Watershed District and has been targeted by the district for phosphorous reduction. Henshaw Lake has not been considered to be a "fish lake" and no fisheries management has taken place with the exception of bullhead removal by commercial fishermen. This brief survey was intended to determine fishery values of Henshaw Lake.
On September 12, 2006, six standard lake survey trap nets were set in Henshaw Lake. The following day catches were dominated by black crappie (94.8/net) and bluegill (49.7/net). Black bullhead (12.7/net) and pumpkinseed (10.0/net) were common. Few brown bullhead and hybrid sunfish were captured, as well as four common carp (0.7/net).
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Henshaw Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Henshaw 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
- Township access: Access off of road on south side of Henshaw Lake on 30th ST NW.
DNR bathymetry
Henshaw Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Ramsey Lake · 317 ac · 2.6 mi
- Rock Lake · 183 ac · 2.9 mi
- Granite Lake · 362 ac · 3.3 mi
- Camp Lake · 123 ac · 3.6 mi
- Cedar Lake · 790 ac · 4.2 mi
- Upper Maple Lake · 633 ac · 4.3 mi
- Somers Lake · 151 ac · 4.4 mi
- Mary Lake · 196 ac · 4.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Henshaw Lake?
Henshaw Lake reaches 8 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 4.3 ft; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Henshaw Lake?
Henshaw Lake covers 272 acres with about 2.9 miles of shoreline.
What fish are in Henshaw Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2006) record bluegill, crappie.
Is Henshaw Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Henshaw Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Henshaw Lake have a public access?
Yes. Henshaw Lake has one public access site: Township access (Access off of road on south side of Henshaw Lake on 30th ST NW.).
How big do bluegill get in Henshaw Lake?
The biggest bluegill measured in recent DNR surveys taped 6".
When was Henshaw Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Henshaw Lake in 2006. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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