Round

Walleye fry are stocked annually into Round Lake at the rate of 1,000 per littoral acre (627,000). Fingerling stocking is done on a contingency basis if fall electrofishing catch rates are below 15 young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes per hour for two consecutive years. Contingency stocking calls for one pound per littoral acre (627 pounds) and was last done in 2025. In 2017, an amendment to the Lake Management Plan added the ability to stock up to 627,000 additional Walleye fry when surplus is available. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 16th, 2025, to monitor the abundance of YOY Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours, resulting in a YOY Walleye catch rate of 2.5 per hour which was down from 2024 (5.5 per hour). These fish ranged in size from 5.7 to 6.9 inches, with a mean length of 6.4 inches. Age 1 and older Walleyes were sampled at a rate of 16.5 per hour. These fish ranged in size from 9.8 to 28.2 inches and had a mean length of 16.5 inches.

Round is a 1,650 acre lake south of the city of Nisswa in Crow Wing County. Walleye is the primary management species with Round being stocked regularly. Walleye fry (627,00) are stocked annually, and fingerlings are stocked on a contingency basis when fall electrofishing catches fall below 15 per hour two years in a row (last in 2025). Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie are other management species. A special regulation requires the immediate release of all Northern Pike between 30 and 40 inches, with a possession limit of two fish and only one allowed over 40 inches. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing was conducted in July 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information. The Walleye numbers (3.5 per net) were the lowest since 2007. Fish ranged in size from 7.2 to 24.0 inches and with 68% of the fish measuring over 15 inches, anglers should have a good chance for some quality fish. The Northern Pike numbers (7.5 per net) were the highest since 2013. These fish were fast growing and reached sizes up to 36 inches. With over 90 percent of Pike sampled below the 30 to 40 inch protected slot, anglers should have good opportunities to harvest fish. Releasing larger pike is encouraged to help create more opportunities for trophy fish. Largemouth Bass spring electrofishing numbers (26 per hour) were up from last time, although still not particularly abundant. There is potential to catch large fish, with Bass up to 19.8 inches netted. Nice sized Smallmouth Bass were also sampled (11.4 per hour) with fish up to 19.4 inches observed. While there were decent numbers of Bluegill (39.4 per net), only 6% of the fish were over 8 inches. Black Crappie had the opposite problem, only 3 were captured and 2 were over 14 inches. Despite the Yellow Perch net catch being the lowest ever (15.5 per net), fish up to 12.4 inches were caught. While there weren't many of these larger fish caught (2.5% over 10 inches), anglers may see a broader range of sizes here than other local lakes. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for gamefish. Other species sampled in the latest survey include Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Walleye fry are stocked annually into Round Lake at the rate of 1,000 per littoral acre (627,000 fry). Fingerling stocking is done on a contingency basis and was last done in 2023. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 19, 2024, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours, resulting in a YOY Walleye catch rate of 5.5/hour run-time. These fish ranged in size from 5.9" to 7.6", with a mean length of 6.8". Walleyes age 1 and older were sampled at a rate of 8.0/hour run-time. These fish ranged in size from 8.9" to 25.2" and had a mean length of 14.4".

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass in Round. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Round. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Round has a maximum depth of 51 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Round is from 2025.

Yes — Round has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Round, covering northern pike. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.