Big Kandiyohi Lake Fishing
Kandiyohi County, 2,730 acres, 18 feet deep.
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Key facts on Big Kandiyohi Lake
Big Kandiyohi Lake covers 2,730 acres of Kandiyohi County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 18 feet, with an average of 12.1 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 1,445 acres, roughly 53% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Lake Lillian, about 5 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Spicer oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 2 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on July 19, 2021. The DNR counted 18 walleye per gill net, above its normal range of 3.2-15.3.
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Catch per net set from the standard survey dated July 19, 2021, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 54 | 18 | 3.2-15.3 | 2.97 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 14 | 0.93 | 0.3-1.7 | 3.1 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 8 | 2.67 | 1.2-7.8 | 4.91 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 1.01 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 122 | 40.67 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.28 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 345 | 23 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 11 | 3.67 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.29 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 39 | 2.6 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.19 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 24 | 1.6 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.16 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 7 | 2.33 | 0.3-3.2 | 2.96 | 0.2-2.0 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.2 | 0.79 | 2.5 |
| Channel catfish | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.67 | 8 |
Fish per species in the Big Kandiyohi Lake gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Big Kandiyohi Lake
“A standard survey of Big Kandiyohi Lake was conducted during mid-July of 2021.”
“An Index of Biotic Integrity "IBI" survey of nearshore fish species was conducted during late August of 2021.”
“Big Kandiyohi is a large (2,683 acres), shallow (18 feet maximum depth), and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County.”
“Winterkill is not an issue for Big Kandiyohi due to its greater depth unlike other nearby shallow (10 feet or less) lakes like Elizabeth and Lake Lillian.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Big Kandiyohi Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Big Kandiyohi Lake
- Big Kandiyohi Lake (E) Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Kandiyohi Lake (W) Access2 ramps, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Kandiyohi County
Boat launches serving Big Kandiyohi Lake
- Lillian Lake AccessLillian, 4 miles east
- Wakanda Lake (S) AccessLake Wakanda, 4 miles north
- Little Kandiyohi Lake AccessLittle Kandiyohi, 5 miles north
- Wakanda Lake (N) AccessLake Wakanda, 5 miles northwest
- Minnetaga Lake AccessMinnetaga, 6 miles northeast
- Elizabeth Lake AccessElizabeth (Main Lake), 9 miles northeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Big Kandiyohi Lake gets
Big Kandiyohi Lake has 5 clarity readings on file since 2006.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Big Kandiyohi Lake
This Big Kandiyohi Lake series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Big Kandiyohi Lake surveys
LakeFinder builds the Big Kandiyohi Lake list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Big Kandiyohi Lake
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Big Kandiyohi Lake.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Big Kandiyohi Lake; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Big Kandiyohi Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Kandiyohi Lake | 2,730 | 18 | 2 | 18 | |
| Lillian Lake, Kandiyohi County | 4 miles southeast | 1,151 | 7.8 | 1 | 1 |
| Lake Wakanda | 5 miles northwest | 1,760 | 15 | 2 | 44.33 |
| Minnetaga Lake | 7 miles northeast | 791 | 9 | 1 | 40.33 |
| Elizabeth (Main Lake) | 8 miles northeast | 1,023 | 9 | 1 | 3.67 |
| Ella Lake | 9 miles northeast | 153 | 12 | 1 | 10.33 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Big Kandiyohi Lake
Neighbor lakes around Big Kandiyohi Lake
- Lillian Lake, Kandiyohi County4 miles southeast
- Lake Wakanda5 miles northwest
- Minnetaga Lake7 miles northeast
- Elizabeth (Main Lake)8 miles northeast
- Ella Lake9 miles northeast
Bait and tackle closest to Big Kandiyohi Lake
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Willmar, 8 miles
- J's Bait & Sportbait and tackle shop, Willmar, 10 miles
- Mel's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Spicer, 16 miles
- Shellfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Spicer, 16 miles
- West Central Baitbait and tackle shop, New London, 21 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Litchfield, 23 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Big Kandiyohi Lake
- Lake Lillian5 miles
- Blomkest5 miles
- Kandiyohi9 miles
Big Kandiyohi Lake, county lines
- Kandiyohi Countyseat: Willmar
Piscifun gear suited to Big Kandiyohi Lake
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Big Kandiyohi Lake questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Find it in Kandiyohi County, managed from the Spicer fisheries office, about 5 miles from Lake Lillian.
How deep is Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Roughly 2,730 acres, 18 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Try Big Kandiyohi Lake (W) Access, one of 2 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How does Big Kandiyohi Lake compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of July 19, 2021. walleye ran 18 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the ice-out date for Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Secchi readings average 3.5 feet.
Which bait shop is closest to Big Kandiyohi Lake?
Runnings is about 8 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Big Kandiyohi Lake
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.