Windy

Cass County

Near Shovel Lake

DOW: 11001000

PumpkinseedGood · 68Northern PikeGood · 59Black CrappieGood · 53

A 95-acre lake near Shovel Lake in Cass County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1984.

Fish Species (7)

Pumpkinseed

Good · 68

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 55.8 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 30, 1984	9.50	-	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 30, 1984	55.75	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 59

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.11 lbs

Catch rate: 7.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 30, 1984	7.00	-	2.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 30, 1984	0.75	-	2.92 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 53

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 16.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–10.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 30, 1984	15.00	-	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 30, 1984	16.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 21.3 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 30, 1984	21.25	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 30, 1984	1.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.62 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 30, 1984	0.75	-	0.62 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 6.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 30, 1984	6.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.58 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per trap net · typical 0.5–10 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 30, 1984	2.25	-	0.58 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best pumpkinseed lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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

Sunfish

20 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

July 30, 1984WINDY LAKE HAS A GOOD POPULATION OF NORTHERN PIKE, YELLOW PERCH AND BLUEGILLS BUT IS OVER POPULATED WTIH SMALL PUMPKINSEEDS AND BLACK CRAPPIES. BULL-…

WINDY LAKE HAS A GOOD POPULATION OF NORTHERN PIKE, YELLOW PERCH AND BLUEGILLS BUT IS OVER POPULATED WTIH SMALL PUMPKINSEEDS AND BLACK CRAPPIES. BULL- HEADS ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE LAKE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Windy?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass in Windy. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Windy?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Windy. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Windy?

Windy has a maximum depth of 29 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Windy last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Windy is from 1984. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Windy have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Windy in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Windy?

No — Windy has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.