Little Watab

Little Watab is a 57 acre lake located six miles north of the City of Cold Spring in Stearns County. It is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 22 feet. No public access exists; however, access for the survey was obtained with permission from private property. On September 11, 2006 six trap nets were used to sample fish populations. The last assessment on Little Watab was conducted in 1984. The purpose of the assessment was to update information on the fishery, and survey aquatic vegetation. The 1984 assessment was conducted in early June and included one gillnet, making any kind of comparisons to the 2006 data difficult. Fish species composition in 2006 was very similar to those seen in 1984. A total of six northern pike were sampled in trap nets. Northern pike sampled were small, ranging in length from 18.4 - 22.0 inches. Based on the abundance of emergent vegetation and wetland areas associated with the South Fork Watab River, pike reproduction would be expected to be good. Bluegills were sampled at a rate of 16.5/ trap net. Bluegills ranged in size from 3.5 - 9.1 inches in length with an average length of 6.0 inches. The length frequency data suggests that many year classes of bluegills are present. The catch rate of black crappie was 2.8/ trap net. Black crappie ranged in length from 6.2 - 12.8 inches in length. Other species observed in low abundance were yellow perch, white sucker, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, hybrid sunfish, and black, yellow, and brown bullheads. Although no largemouth bass were sampled in this assessment, the landowner reported that he has caught largemouth bass up to four pounds in Little Watab Lake. Little Watab Lake has experienced partial winterkills in the past. Low dissolved oxygen levels were observed in February 1992. The landowner also observed fish showing symptoms of stress in the winter of 2001 and dead panfish the following spring. Shoreline vegetation on Little Watab is for the most part unaltered, with no development present. Significant stands of wild rice are located throughout the lake and a cattail fringe is present around the entire perimeter. Twenty-one species of aquatic plants were identified from the survey. Species that were given an abundance rating of common include: northern water milfoil, lesser duckweed, white and yellow waterlily, wild rice, chara, flatstem pondweed, and common bladderwort.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Northern Pike in Little Watab. 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 Little Watab. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Little Watab has a maximum depth of 22 feet and a mean depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Watab is from 2006. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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

No — Little Watab has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.