Strand

Strand Lake is a 330-acre lake located 5 miles southeast of Cotton, Minnesota, with a maximum depth of 16 feet. There is a township administered; gravel back-in access located on the north side of the lake off County Road 973. The 2019 Lake Management Plan (LMP) identified Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie as primary management species and Yellow Perch as a secondary species. Management goals include maintaining a naturally reproducing Walleye fishery with above-average gill net catch rates and good numbers of fish over 15 inches, as well as Bluegill and Black Crappie populations capable of supporting above-average catches of preferred-length fish and occasional memorable individuals. Anglers can help achieve this goal through selective harvest and proper catch-and-release techniques. A special regulation (daily bag limit: five Crappie and five Sunfish) was implemented in 2022 to protect the size structure of the fishery. Strand Lake was assessed in summer 2025 to update information about fish populations as part of a 10-year survey cycle, most recently completed in 2015. The Walleye population is self-sustaining and has not been stocked since 2018. Walleye catches have generally exceeded typical values compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. The 2025 gill net catch (9.2 per net) was above average compared to similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 8.3 to 28.7 inches, with a mean length of 14.3 inches. Size-structure goals were met. Two memorable-length fish (greater than 25 inches) were sampled. Great Walleye fishing opportunities exist, given the abundance and quality size structure. Strand Lake also supports quality size structure for Bluegill and Black Crappie. Bluegill abundance (3.4 per net) was within the expected range for this lake type. The mean length was 4.7 inches, and several preferred-length individuals (greater than 8 inches) were captured. Bluegill angling is expected to be good, with opportunities to catch preferred and occasionally memorable-sized fish (greater than 10 inches). Black Crappie size structure was good (2.5-12 inches; mean length 7.7 inches), with multiple preferred-length fish (greater than 10 inches) sampled. Trap net catch in 2025 (0.9 per net) was the lowest on record, though recent surveys have documented above average catches. Angling opportunities for preferred-size Crappie are expected to be good. Yellow Perch ranged from 5.0 to 12.2 inches, averaging 8.7 inches, showing good size structure and angling opportunities. Electrofishing was conducted to evaluate the presence of an emerging Largemouth Bass population. No Largemouth Bass were captured during electrofishing; however, a single individual was collected in a standard trap net, measuring 20.4 inches.

Strand is a 330 acre lake with 329 acres (99%) of littoral area and a maximum depth of 17 feet. The lake is located 5 miles southeast of Cotton, MN. There is a township administered, gravel back-in access located on the north side of the lake off County Road 973. Strand has a history of producing large Bluegill and Black Crappie and new angling regulations to improve and protect these species are under consideration. The proposed regulation is a daily limit of 5 sunfish, possession limit of 20 and a daily limit of 5 Black Crappie, possession limit 10. The objective of this targeted survey was to obtain baseline information to describe Bluegill and Black Crappie size structure, age structure and growth prior to implementation of the reduced bag limit angling regulation change. Bluegill spring trapnet abundance was 13.7 per lift. Average length of Bluegill was 8.6 inches and maximum size was 10.6 inches. The proportion of adult Bluegill that exceeded quality size (greater than 6 inches) was 96%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 8 inches) was 83%. The proportion that exceeded memorable size (greater than 10 inches) was 3%. Recruitment was consistent with all year-classes from 2010 to 2019 represented. Black Crappie spring trapnet abundance was 10.1 per lift. Average length of Black Crappie was 10.3 inches and maximum size was 12.1 inches. The proportion of adult Black Crappie that exceeded quality size (greater than 8 inches) was 97%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 10 inches) was 68%. The proportion that exceeded memorable size (greater than 12 inches) was 1%. Recruitment was consistent with all year-classes from 2013 to 2018 represented.

A standard survey was conducted on Strand Lake during the summer of 2015 to update information about fish populations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the walleye stocking program. Walleye is the primary management species for Strand Lake. Walleye fry are stocked every other year into Strand Lake. Walleye abundance of 8.5 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota Lakes. Walleye average length was small at 12.1 inches and average weight was 0.7 pounds. Seventy-three percent of Walleye aged corresponded to stocked year-classes. Anglers can expect good fishing for Walleye for the next several years as both the 2012 and 2014 year-classes were well represented. Although not abundant, all panfish populations have very good size structure in Strand Lake. Black Crappie abundance of 3.3 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average length was 9.7 inches with fish up to 11.8 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was average at 2.9 per trapnet lift. Average length was large at 7.7 inches with 65% exceeding 8 inches and Bluegill up to 10.0 inches sampled. Yellow Perch abundance of 13.0 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota Lakes. Average size was large at 8.3 inches and 18% exceeded 10 inches. Anglers are encouraged to release exceptionally large panfish to preserve this unique opportunity. Electrofishing was used to determine if an emerging Largemouth Bass population was evident. No prior electrofishing surveys have been conducted on Strand Lake. One Largemouth Bass measuring 14.3 inches was captured for a catch rate of 0.8 per hour of electrofishing, which was below average compared to other Duluth Area Largemouth Bass populations.

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

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

Strand has a maximum depth of 16 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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

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