Pepin

Le Sueur County

Near Montgomery

DOW: 40002800

Green SunfishGood · 71Yellow PerchGood · 65Northern PikeAverage · 43

A 403-acre lake near Montgomery in Le Sueur County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1996.

Fish Species (9)

Green Sunfish

Good · 71

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.54 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	0.33	6.5"	0.54 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 22, 1996	16.00	6.5"	-	Survey seining

Yellow Perch

Good · 65

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.5"

Avg Weight

0.03 lbs

Catch rate: 312.0 per gill net · typical 2.7–25 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch5% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 95%Largest sampled 12"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	169.17	4.5"	-	Standard trap nets
Aug 22, 1996	16.67	4.5"	-	Survey seining
Aug 22, 1996	312.00	4.5"	0.03 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 43

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.2"

Avg Weight

1.86 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 1.1–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	2.50	18.2"	1.86 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Stocked 2025

Average · 28

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.1"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 2.3–18.1 for a lake like this

Stocked with fry every other year · 8,256,571 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	4.00	6.1"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1996	2.17	6.1"	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2025	fry	1,007,500	9.5	-
2024	fry	744,545	7.0	-
2023	fry	1,007,500	8.7	-
2022	fry	1,007,500	9.4	-
2021	fry	1,007,500	9.0	-
2019	fry	1,467,285	11.9	-
2017	fry	2,014,741	16.6	-

Black Crappie

Poor · 24

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.1"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 4.5 per gill net · typical 1.4–13.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	4.50	6.1"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1996	0.17	6.1"	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 22, 1996	0.33	6.1"	-	Survey seining

Other species in this lake (4)

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

Common Carp

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

12.2"

Avg Weight

1.74 lbs

Catch rate: 26.0 per gill net · typical 1–13.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	26.00	12.2"	1.74 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1996	3.00	12.2"	1.69 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.0"

Avg Weight

1.98 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	0.17	17.0"	1.98 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 49

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.6"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 110.3 per trap net · typical 11.5–132.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	86.00	7.6"	0.36 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1996	110.33	7.6"	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 87.3 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1996	87.33	-	-	Survey seining

See the best green sunfish lakes in Minnesota

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

Southern zone

Angling: 2 (Minimum size 24").

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

Southern zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Minimum size 24").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

August 22, 1996Yellow perch will provide anglers with both quantity and quality fishing, with about 30% of the fish we sampled being above 9 inches. Barring winter k…

Yellow perch will provide anglers with both quantity and quality fishing, with about 30% of the fish we sampled being above 9 inches. Barring winter kill, the wide size distribution and excellent growth will provide the promise of good angling for a long time in the future. Northern pike, although not abundant, are of quality size, with the average length being 19 inches and average weight of 2 pounds. Black crappies are also low in abundance, with the average size fish being 7 inches. Despite the low abundance of these two species, both will become established in this fish community due to their environmental suitability for this type of lake. The black bullhead population contains good numbers of fish larger than 8 inches, with some up to 12 inches. Fluctuating water levels and shallow depth can make access to and mobility on the lake difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Pepin?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Green Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Black Crappie in Pepin. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Pepin?

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

How deep is Pepin?

Pepin has a maximum depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Pepin last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pepin is from 1996. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Pepin have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Pepin?

No — Pepin 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.