Winter
A 117-acre lake near Richwood in Becker County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 2021.
Fish Species (8)
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 9.0 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | 9.00 | 11.2" | 0.97 lbs |
| Jun 1, 2021 | 7.00 | 11.2" | 0.85 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 18.0 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | 0.83 | 5.7" | 0.08 lbs |
| Jun 1, 2021 | 18.00 | 5.7" | 0.11 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 32.0 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | 32.00 | 16.4" | 1.07 lbs |
| Jun 1, 2021 | 1.50 | 16.4" | 0.70 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | 0.17 | 5.0" | 0.08 lbs |
Walleye
Stocked 2024Stocking Details
| Year | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | fry | 100,000 | 0.9 |
| 2022 | fry | 100,000 | 0.9 |
Other species in this lake (3)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Above-normal numbers
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 34.3 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | 22.00 | 6.0" | 0.13 lbs |
| Jun 1, 2021 | 34.33 | 6.0" | 0.03 lbs |
Above-normal numbers
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 8.2 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | 8.17 | 7.9" | 0.09 lbs |
Above-normal numbers
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | 1.00 | 6.0" | 0.10 lbs |
| Jun 1, 2021 | 0.67 | 6.0" | 0.07 lbs |
Fishing Regulations
Statewide limits
Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.
Walleye and Sauger
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"
Northern Pike
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
North-central zone
Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).
Largemouth Bass
Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026
Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
Catch-and-release only
Largemouth Bass
Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)
Crappie
10 combined total
Perch
20 daily and 40 in possession
More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)
Northern Pike
Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
North-central zone
Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").
Bullhead
100
Biologist Notes
June 1, 2021Winter (Lost) Lake is a 117-acre lake located in Becker County within the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and the White Earth Indian Reservation. Thi…
Winter (Lost) Lake is a 117-acre lake located in Becker County within the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and the White Earth Indian Reservation. This was the first survey completed by Minnesota DNR staff. Species sampled during this assessment included Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bullhead (Black and Brown), Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. The most abundant gamefish found during the survey was Northern Pike. Sampled Northern Pike ranged in length from 14 to 22 inches and averaged 17 inches long. Black Crappie were also abundant, ranging in lengths from 11 to 12 inches long. Yellow Perch were present, but small with an average length of six inches. A single Largemouth Bass was caught during this survey. Black Bullhead were extremely abundant in catch, averaging 34 fish per trap net. Additional species captured were Brown Bullhead and Golden Shiner. Based on the size of the fish observed, it is likely that Lost Lake experienced a winterkill sometime in the last 5 to 10 years, limiting the abundance and diversity of fish species in the lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Winter?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike in Winter. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Winter?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Winter. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
When were the main sport fish in Winter last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Winter is from 2021.
Does Winter have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Winter in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on Winter?
No — Winter has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 116.72 acres
- Shoreline
- 1.75 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed