Nisswa

Nisswa Lake is a 219-acre lake in the city of Nisswa in Crow Wing County. It is part of the Gull Lake Chain of Lakes, with a recently constructed access (2021) on the southeast shore. Northern Pike is a primary management species on Nisswa and a special regulation was implemented to achieve our management objective. The 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 and trap nets was conducted in June 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information. Northern Pike numbers (10.7 per net) met our abundance management goal (below 12.4 per net), with fish up to 34.8 inches captured. Anglers should have good opportunities to harvest fish with 92% of the fish below the 30 to 40 inch protected slot. Releasing larger Pike is encouraged, however, to help create more opportunities for larger fish. Electrofishing, the preferred method for sampling Largemouth Bass, was not completed in 2025. Anglers can expect decent Bass fishing based on what was caught in the summer netting. Fish ranging from 6.4 to 16.6 inches were caught in the nets, with 60% measuring over 12 inches. Bluegill numbers were the second lowest to date and size was not great. Only 19% were over 7 inches and only one fish was over 8 inches. Black Crappie numbers were also low and size was poor as well. While 55 percent of the Crappie were over 8 inches, only one was over 9 inches. Other species sampled in the 2025 survey included Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Nisswa Lake was conducted on June 28-30, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Nearshore sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station, and site conditions (soft sediments and dense water lilies in deep water) prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Yellow Bullhead, Bluegill, and Common Carp comprised a majority of the trap net catch by biomass, with Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead most abundant by number. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was just above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 29 lakes and the average length was 5.8 inches, with 8% over 7 inches. The number of Yellow Bullhead was also above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 29 lakes and the number of Common Carp was equal to the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 29 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2019 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Common Carp and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Nisswa Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Nisswa Lake, a 219 acre lake that is part of the larger Gull Lake Chain of Lakes, was conducted on August 12, 2019 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2019 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Nisswa Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The strong connection between Nisswa Lake and the rest of the Gull Lake Chain of Lakes could be contributing to the exceptionally high FIBI score. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Nisswa has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Nisswa 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 Nisswa, 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.