Minnesota · Blue Earth County
Loon Lake Fishing guide
Loon Lake covers 809 acres in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, reaching 7 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 1.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 8 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, northern pike, bluegill and crappie in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025One of the best around14.7per gill net15"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 112 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 112 fish
2022Lengths measured · 102 fish
2016Lengths measured · 117 fish
2006Lengths measured · 92 fish
2001Northern pikeJust a few1.7per gill net24"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2016Lengths measured · 8 fish
2006Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2001BluegillJust a few2.8per trap net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 34 fish
2022Lengths measured · 25 fish
2016Lengths measured · 133 fish
2006Lengths measured · 8 fish
2001Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappieFair numbers10per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 130 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 130 fish
2022Lengths measured · 835 fish
2016Lengths measured · 720 fish
2006Lengths measured · 23 fish
2001Yellow perchGood numbers6.3per gill net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 34 fish
2022Lengths measured · 31 fish
2016Lengths measured · 9 fish
2006Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 103 fish
2001No recent survey rating.
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 Loon Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 1.6 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. With 100% 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 7-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 1.6 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops. A 7-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 26" | 31" | 10" |
| 2016 | 14" | 33" | 11" |
| 2006 | 17" | 28" | 8" |
| 2001 | 23" | 22" | 9" |
| 1996 | 22" | 30" | 7" |
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 · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
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 · Live bait
Clip-On Bobber + Worm
half to whole garden nightcrawler
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 606,750 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 606,750 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,213,500 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 606,750 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 606,750 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 606,750 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 606,750 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,127,152 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Loon Lake is an 809-acre lake located east of the city of Lake Crystal in northwest Blue Earth County. A DNR-maintained public access is located on the south side of the lake off County Road 9. Loon Lake is shallow with a maximum depth of 7 feet with generally poor water clarity and frequent algal blooms caused by elevated nutrient levels. Loon Lake has a history of winterkill, and an aerator is operated during the winter in an attempt to prevent them. Approximately half of the shoreline has been altered to suit residential development. Nearshore woody habitat is common along the unaltered shorelines, but aquatic vegetation is sparse lakewide and of poor quality. Loon Lake is connected to Lake Crystal to the west and Mills Lake to the east and fish are known to migrate between all three lakes. Loon Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. Walleye fry are stocked annually. Additional Walleye fry and adult Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch are stocked following winterkill events. Loon Lake is designated as a Tier-2 lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program at a frequency of every 6 years.
A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (i.e., standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e., lake survey gillnets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). The 2022 survey was completed the week of August 15, 2022, using 3 gill nets and 12 trap nets. Water quality parameters were also measured.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleyes were abundant in the 2022 survey. A total of 44 were sampled with the gill nets for a catch rate of 14.7/net, indicating high numbers were present. Walleye catch rates have varied from 12.0/net to 37.3/net with an average of 21.0/net since 1996. The catch rate in 2016 was 15.8/net. Walleye ranged from 8.1 to 26.3 inches with an average of 14.4 inches. Approximately 55% of Walleye sampled were over 15 inches and 18% were over 20 inches. An additional 68 Walleyes were sampled with the trap nets and ranged from 9.1 to 20.5 inches in length. Walleye from both gears were 1 to 8 years old with 6 year-classes present. Walleye aged 1 to 3 years old were common, suggesting annual stocking has succeeded in creating multiple strong year classes that have recruited to the fishery. In the absence of winterkill, the Walleye population should remain strong for years to come.
Black Crappies were moderately abundant in the trap nets with a catch rate of 9.7/net. This was a significant decrease from the 2016 sample that yielded 74.2/net. Black Crappie catch rates have varied wildly from 1.8/net to 74.2/net with an average of 30.0/net since 1996. Black Crappie ranged from 3.1 to 12.4 inches with an average of 9.3 inches. Most Black Crappie were over 8 inches and about 30% were over 10 inches. In fact, only 6 Black Crappie were sampled that measured less than 7.5 inches. The vast majority of Black Crappie were 2 years old, indicating fast growth.
Bluegills were relatively scarce in 2022. A total of just 33 were sampled with the trap nets for a catch rate of 2.8/net, indicating low numbers were present. Bluegill catch rates have exceeded 4.5/net just once and averaged just 4.2/net since 1996. Bluegills ranged from 3.6 to 8.1 inches with an average of 7.1 inches. Most Bluegills were over 6 inches but very few exceeded 8 inches. Although size structure is OK, the overall low density Bluegill population did not meet management goals in 2022. The lack of high-quality nearshore habitat and aquatic vegetation is likely responsible for low Bluegill density.
Yellow Perch persist at low to moderate densities in Loon Lake. In 2022, 19 Yellow Perch were sampled with the trap nets for a catch rate of 6.3/net while catch rates have averaged 5.1/net since 1996. Yellow Perch ranged from 5.9 to 10.4 inches with an average of 8.0 inches. An increase in Yellow Perch numbers would be a welcome development in Loon Lake as they are an important prey species.
Black Bullhead numbers were near an all-time high in 2022 with 242.7/gill net and 39.4/trap net. Catch rates have grown exponentially in four surveys since 1996. The vast majority of Black Bullhead were in the 6.5-to-8.5-inch range, and many were of poor condition, indicating a potential stunting effect. Poor water quality and habitat favor Black Bullheads over more desirable fish such as Bluegill or Yellow Perch. Luckily, Walleye have been known to prey on bullheads and it is reasonable to assume that in Loon Lake they rely heavily on them.
Other species sampled in 2022 include Bigmouth Buffalo (10.3/gill net), Brown Bullhead (0.1/trap net), Common Carp (0.3/trap net), Northern Pike (1.7/gill net), White Crappie (0.3/trap net), White Sucker (1.3/gill net), Yellow Bullhead (0.3/gill net), and hybrid sunfish (Lepomis spp.).
Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.
-Sky Wigen, fisheries specialist
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Loon Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Loon 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
- Loon Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Loon Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Crystal Lake · 379 ac · 1.6 mi
- Mills Lake · 237 ac · 1.7 mi
- Red Jacket Valley Park Pond · 38 ac · 6.3 mi
- Hiniker Pond · 18 ac · 9.8 mi
- Lions Lake · 6 ac · 10.1 mi
- Fedji Lake · 172 ac · 10.6 mi
- Ida Lake · 138 ac · 12.8 mi
- Eagle Lake · 898 ac · 15.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Loon Lake?
Loon Lake reaches 7 ft at its deepest point; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Loon Lake?
Loon Lake covers 809 acres with about 5.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Loon Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Loon Lake average 1.6 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Loon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Loon Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Loon Lake have a public access?
Yes. Loon Lake has one public access site: Loon Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Loon 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 1996.
When was Loon Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Loon Lake in 2022, the most recent of 8 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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