Elysian (Main Lake)

Waseca County

Near Elysian

DOW: 81009501

Largemouth BassExcellent · 86WalleyeExcellent · 85Northern PikeGood · 70

A 2,215-acre lake near Elysian in Waseca County — best known for bass and walleye. Last surveyed 2021.

Fish Species (18)

Largemouth Bass

Excellent · 86

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

8.2"

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 67.7 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass64% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 36%Largest sampled 18"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	67.65	8.2"	0.60 lbs	Standard electrofishing
Jun 21, 2021	0.67	8.2"	1.49 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 2015	0.17	6.0"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Stocked 2025

Excellent · 85

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

18.5"

Avg Weight

2.68 lbs

Catch rate: 15.5 per gill net · typical 3.2–15.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye90% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 10%Largest sampled 25"

Stocked with fry every other year · 4,850,401 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	15.50	18.5"	2.68 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 2021	0.08	18.5"	2.51 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 5, 2017	24.17	13.9"	1.09 lbs	Standard gill nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2025	fry	475,500	3.9	-
2024	fry	475,500	3.6	-
2023	fry	951,000	7.3	-
2022	fry	951,000	8.8	-
2021	fry	1,046,401	9.9	-
2018	fry	951,000	9.1	-

Northern Pike

Stocked 2016

Good · 70

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

24.6"

Avg Weight

3.72 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per gill net · typical 1.2–7.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike60% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 40%Largest sampled 31"

Stocked with adults once · 156,820 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	0.83	24.6"	3.72 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	1.50	21.3"	2.43 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 2015	0.50	20.9"	1.38 lbs	Standard gill nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2016	adults	530	774.0	-
2016	fry	156,290	2.4	-

White Crappie

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

9.7"

Avg Weight

0.63 lbs

Catch rate: 0.92 per trap net · typical 0.5–15.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable white crappie71% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 29%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	0.50	9.7"	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 2021	0.92	9.7"	0.63 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 5, 2017	1.50	9.1"	0.49 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 66

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

6.2"

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 29.7 per gill net · typical 0.8–11.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie10% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 90%Largest sampled 15"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	5.75	6.2"	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 2021	29.67	6.2"	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	17.50	6.3"	0.29 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 57

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

6.7"

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 24.2 per gill net · typical 3–22.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch9% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 91%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	1.75	6.7"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 2021	24.17	6.7"	0.21 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	13.83	8.2"	0.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

5.5"

Avg Weight

0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 5.9 per trap net · typical 1–14.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill18% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 82%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	5.92	5.5"	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 2021	0.33	5.5"	0.48 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	0.33	6.0"	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets

Channel Catfish

Average · 49

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

20.0"

Avg Weight

3.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	0.08	20.0"	3.38 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 2021	0.83	20.0"	3.25 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	0.17	17.0"	1.86 lbs	Standard gill nets

Green Sunfish

Average · 45

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.1–0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	0.33	4.3"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 5, 2017	0.17	4.0"	0.06 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 25, 2001	0.11	4.0"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 42

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 0.4–4.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed10% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 90%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 1, 1993	1.40	5.0"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 7, 1988	0.70	-	0.28 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1985	0.83	-	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Poor · 9

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.0"

Avg Weight

0.71 lbs

Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 29, 2015	0.08	8.0"	0.71 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 1, 1993	0.50	5.5"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 23, 1992	1.00	-	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (7)

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

Common Carp

Good · 65

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

25.2"

Avg Weight

7.74 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–9.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	3.00	25.2"	7.74 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 21, 2021	0.67	25.2"	9.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 5, 2017	7.33	15.9"	2.80 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 63

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

14.3"

Avg Weight

1.58 lbs

Catch rate: 5.5 per gill net · typical 0.8–5.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	0.17	14.3"	0.34 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 2021	5.50	14.3"	1.58 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	2.00	15.2"	1.67 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 58

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

10.6"

Avg Weight

0.83 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 1.3–78.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	1.50	10.6"	0.83 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 2021	36.83	10.6"	0.80 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	30.00	9.5"	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 55

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021

Avg Size

9.4"

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 0.5–4.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 2021	1.83	9.4"	0.60 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 2021	0.50	9.4"	0.44 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2017	2.00	10.2"	0.66 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Good · 52

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.0"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 0.1–0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2017	0.17	7.0"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 28, 2010	7.75	5.0"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 28, 2010	0.10	5.0"	-	15-ft beach seine

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 3.0 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 2010	0.05	-	-	15-ft beach seine
Jun 28, 2010	3.00	-	-	50-ft beach seine
Jun 25, 2001	1223.50	0.9"	-	Survey seining

Iowa Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 0.05 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 2010	0.05	-	-	15-ft beach seine

See the best largemouth bass 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

Channel Catfish

5, only 1 fish over 24"

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

April 18, 2023Three trap nets were set at Lake Elysian on 18 April 2023 to assess winterkill. Yellow Perch were abundant and spawning. Bullheads were also abundant.…

Three trap nets were set at Lake Elysian on 18 April 2023 to assess winterkill. Yellow Perch were abundant and spawning. Bullheads were also abundant. One adult crappie was sampled. No Walleye were sampled. Many dead carp were still visible along the shorelines.

April 18, 2023Three trap nets were set at Lake Elysian on 18 April 2023 to assess winterkill. Yellow Perch were abundant and spawning. Bullheads were also abundant.…

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Elysian (Main Lake)?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, White Crappie, and Black Crappie in Elysian (Main Lake). See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Elysian (Main Lake)?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Elysian (Main Lake). Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Elysian (Main Lake)?

Elysian (Main Lake) has a maximum depth of 13 feet and a mean depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Elysian (Main Lake) last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Elysian (Main Lake) is from 2021.

Does Elysian (Main Lake) have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Elysian (Main Lake)?

No — Elysian (Main Lake) has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.