Minnesota · DNR survey data

Heron (South Heron) Lake

Heron (South Heron) Lake covers 2,641 acres in Jackson County, running to 5 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2023. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.

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DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
WalleyeStocked · 2025
Excellent numbers
11.3per gill net
9"Typical
21"Biggest
6"21"

Lengths measured · 50 fish

Recent · 2021 + 2023
6"10"15"20"21"

Lengths measured · 42 fish

2023
6"10"15"20"21"

Lengths measured · 8 fish

2021
6"10"15"20"21"

Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Lengths measured · 115 fish

2017
6"10"15"20"21"

Lengths measured · 28 fish

2011
6"10"15"20"21"
Northern pikeStocked · 2024
Just a few
2.8per gill net
24"Typical
31"Biggest
11"31"

Lengths measured · 23 fish

Recent · 2021 + 2023
11"15"20"25"30"32"

Lengths measured · 5 fish

2023
11"15"20"25"30"32"

Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Lengths measured · 18 fish

2021
11"15"20"25"30"32"

Lengths measured · 94 fish

2017
11"15"20"25"30"32"

Lengths measured · 42 fish

2011
11"15"20"25"30"32"
Bluegill
No recent survey rating

No recent survey rating.

Crappie
Just a few
0.3per trap net
Typical
8"Biggest
Yellow perch
Excellent numbers
25.8per gill net
5"Typical
10"Biggest
4"10"

Lengths measured · 140 fish

Recent · 2021 + 2023
4"6"8"10"11"

Lengths measured · 119 fish

2023
4"6"8"10"11"

Lengths measured · 21 fish

2021
4"6"8"10"11"

Lengths measured · 136 fish

2017
4"6"8"10"11"

Lengths measured · 21 fish

2011
4"6"8"10"11"

Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.

DNR stocking records

Stocking history

YearSpeciesStocked
2025Walleye711,250 fry
2024Northern Pike1,307 fingerlings
2024Walleye1,422,500 fry
2023Walleye1,422,500 fry
2022Northern Pike253,348 fry
2022Walleye1,422,500 fry
2021Northern Pike159,181 fry
2021Walleye1,422,500 fry
2017Walleye2,311,131 fry
2016Northern Pike134,820 fry
2016Walleye1,420,365 fry

Recent reports

Heron (South Heron) Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Heron (South Heron) 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.

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Jackson County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Heron (South Heron) Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Heron (South Heron) Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Heron (South Heron) Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.

Does Heron (South Heron) Lake have a public access?

Yes. Heron (South Heron) Lake has 3 public access sites, including South Heron Lake (E) (trailer launch).

Is Heron (South Heron) Lake stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.

When was Heron (South Heron) Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Heron (South Heron) Lake in 2023, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .