Lily

Waseca County

Near Elysian

DOW: 81006700

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 79BluegillGood · 71Yellow PerchGood · 67

A 114-acre lake near Elysian in Waseca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 2021.

Fish Species (12)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 79

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.3"

Avg Weight

0.66 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish100% keeper-size (8"+)

All keeper-sizeLargest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 2013	0.75	8.3"	0.66 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 3, 2009	0.38	8.0"	0.53 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 71

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 62.0 per trap net · typical 4.9–49.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill22% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 78%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 2013	62.00	4.3"	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 3, 2009	27.00	4.7"	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 3, 2009	1.00	4.7"	0.06 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 67

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.7"

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch57% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 43%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1999	0.33	7.7"	0.51 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 10, 1999	6.00	7.7"	0.29 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 13, 1992	14.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Green Sunfish

Good · 59

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.2–2.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1999	0.33	6.0"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Stocked 2023

Good · 56

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

19.5"

Avg Weight

2.61 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike22% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 78%Largest sampled 30"

Stocked with adults irregularly · 41,695 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 7, 2021	1.71	19.5"	0.72 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 7, 2021	5.00	19.5"	2.61 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 2013	7.00	22.1"	3.47 lbs	Standard gill nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2023	fry	21,465	0.7	-
2023	adults	50	100.0	-
2019	fry	20,000	0.7	-
2019	adults	100	200.0	-
2017	adults	80	160.0	-

Walleye

Good · 55

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.0"

Avg Weight

2.65 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1999	1.00	19.0"	2.65 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 13, 1992	7.00	-	1.84 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 1, 1991	9.67	-	1.09 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Stocked 2021

Average · 42

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

10.0"

Avg Weight

0.67 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Stocked with adults once · 25 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 2013	0.67	10.0"	0.67 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 3, 2009	0.12	5.0"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 2003	4.33	11.5"	1.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2021	adults	25	75.8	-

Black Crappie

Poor · 24

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.3"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 3.3 per gill net · typical 1–11.8 for a lake like this

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

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Size from the Jun 2021 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 7, 2021	1.00	5.9"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 10, 2013	3.33	5.3"	0.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 2013	0.62	5.3"	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 23

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

4.2"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 7, 2021	3.00	4.2"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 10, 2013	2.62	6.0"	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 3, 2009	11.00	5.1"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Black Bullhead

Good · 65

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

5.2"

Avg Weight

0.03 lbs

Catch rate: 146.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–25.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 7, 2021	146.00	5.2"	0.03 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 7, 2021	94.00	5.2"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 2013	34.67	6.3"	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 51

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.7"

Avg Weight

0.28 lbs

Catch rate: 10.3 per trap net · typical 2.2–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1999	14.00	6.7"	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 1999	10.33	6.7"	0.28 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 13, 1992	1.00	-	0.73 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 16

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

4.5"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 0.29 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 7, 2021	0.29	4.5"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 2003	1.00	4.3"	0.01 lbs	Survey seining
Jun 16, 2003	0.22	4.3"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best hybrid 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").

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

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").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

April 18, 2023Three trap nets were set at Lily Lake on 18 April 2023 to assess winterkill. Adult Black Crappie were common in all nets as were adult Northern Pike.…

Three trap nets were set at Lily Lake on 18 April 2023 to assess winterkill. Adult Black Crappie were common in all nets as were adult Northern Pike. However, 50 adult Northern Pike were stocked into Lily the previous week and may have added to, or comprised the entire catch. Yellow Perch and Pumpkinseeds were also present. Black Bullheads were also abundant.

April 18, 2023Three trap nets were set at Lily Lake on 18 April 2023 to assess winterkill. Adult Black Crappie were common in all nets as were adult Northern Pike.…

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Lily?

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

Is there public access at Lily?

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

How deep is Lily?

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

When were the main sport fish in Lily last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lily is from 2021.

Does Lily have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Lily?

No — Lily 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.