Minnesota · DNR survey data
Lightning Lake
Lightning Lake covers 541 acres in Grant County, running to 11 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.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2024One of the best around25.3per gill net10"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 76 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 76 fish
2022Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 216 fish
2018Lengths measured · 1 fish
2008Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeExcellent numbers15.3per gill net21"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 49 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023Lengths measured · 3 fish
2023Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 46 fish
2022Lengths measured · 23 fish
2018Lengths measured · 73 fish
2008CrappieStocked · 2019Present, stocked4per gill net4"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1 fish
2008Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 18 fish
1999Lengths measured · 27 fish
1995Yellow perchStocked · 2019Good numbers7per gill net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023Lengths measured · 19 fish
2023Lengths measured · 21 fish
2022Lengths measured · 187 fish
2018Lengths measured · 15 fish
2008Rates 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
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 540,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 541,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 541,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 540,000 fry |
| 2019 | Black Crappie | 100 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 250,000 fry |
| 2019 | Yellow Perch | 543 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 540,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 540,000 fry |
Recent reports
Lightning Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lightning 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
- Lightning Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Tenmile Lake · 1,428 ac · 6.9 mi
- North Tenmile Lake · 654 ac · 7.6 mi
- Clear Lake · 399 ac · 9.5 mi
- Rose Lake · 108 ac · 9.9 mi
- Pomme de Terre Lake · 1,816 ac · 10.3 mi
- Swan Lake · 749 ac · 10.7 mi
- Orwell Lake · 608 ac · 10.7 mi
- Iverson Lake · 68 ac · 10.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Lightning Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Lightning Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Lightning Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Does Lightning Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lightning Lake has one public access site: Lightning Lake (trailer launch).
Is Lightning Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Lightning Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lightning Lake in 2023, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .