Christina Lake Fishing
Douglas County and Grant County, 3,971 acres, 14 feet deep.
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Christina Lake, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Christina Lake, a lake in Douglas County and Grant County, at 3,971 acres. Maximum depth is 14 feet, with an average of 4.5 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 3,971 acres (100%). Ashby is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 4 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Glenwood manages it.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boaters have 1 public water access. The last DNR population assessment ran on May 30, 2005. Pike catch rates sat above normal: 23.67 per gill net against 1.2-7.8.
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The population assessment of May 30, 2005 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 142 | 23.67 | 1.2-7.8 | 1.03 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 50 | 2.5 | 1.14 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.5 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.17 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.1 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.46 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 36 | 1.8 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.25 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.15 | 0.4-4.5 | 0.25 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black bullhead | Standard gill nets | 350 | 58.33 | 4.6-83.0 | 0.16 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Black bullhead | Standard trap nets | 2,511 | 125.55 | 1.3-78.1 | 0.07 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.15 | 0.4-9.8 | 0.41 | 0.4-0.9 |
Christina Lake gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Christina Lake
“Lake Christina is a large, shallow basin located near the town of Ashby in west-central Minnesota.”
“The lake is nationally recognized as a critical staging area for migrating waterfowl, especially canvasbacks.”
“The lake is known to alternate between a clear water state in which aquatic macrophytes are dominant and a turbid phase characterized by poor water clarity and high phytoplankton density.”
“Rotenone was used in 1987 and 2003 to reduce the existing fish community and induce a shift from the turbid state to a clear water state.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Christina Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Christina Lake
- Christina Lake Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Water accesses near Christina Lake
- Jolly Ann Lake AccessJolly Ann, 5 miles northwest
- Middle Lake Access near AshbyMiddle, 5 miles north
- Pelican Lake Access near AshbyPelican, 5 miles west
- Eagle Lake Access near AshbyEagle, 5 miles north
- Sewell Lake AccessSewell, 6 miles northwest
- Spitzer Lake AccessSpitzer, 6 miles northeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Christina Lake basin shape
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on Christina Lake
DNR gauge readers record Christina Lake by hand; the last entry is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish found in Christina Lake
Every species shown for Christina Lake turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Christina Lake
Christina Lake carries special regulations, and they override the statewide rows below for those species.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| All species | Closed to fishing. |
| 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 |
Christina Lake sits in the North-central Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Sizing up Christina Lake against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christina Lake | 3,971 | 14 | 1 | ||
| Anka Lake | under a mile south | 130 | 10 | 0 | |
| Ina Lake | under a mile south | 218 | 48 | 0 | |
| Pelican Lake, Grant County | 4 miles southwest | 3,761 | 21 | 1 | 13.42 |
| Jolly Ann Lake | 5 miles north | 326 | 89 | 1 | 8.8 |
| Middle Lake, Otter Tail County | 6 miles north | 225 | 56 | 1 | 0.33 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Christina Lake
More Minnesota lakes near Christina Lake
- Anka Lakeunder a mile south
- Ina Lakeunder a mile south
- Pelican Lake, Grant County4 miles southwest
- Jolly Ann Lake5 miles north
- Middle Lake, Otter Tail County6 miles north
Minnow buckets filled near Christina Lake
- T & B's Short Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ashby, 4 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 7 miles
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 13 miles
- Chumpy's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Elbow Lake, 14 miles
- Big Foot Gas & Groceryfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Vining, 15 miles
- Musky Mayhem Tacklebait and tackle shop, Parkers Prairie, 16 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Christina Lake
- Ashby4 miles
- Evansville6 miles
- Millerville8 miles
Counties that Christina Lake reaches
- Douglas Countyseat: Alexandria
- Grant Countyseat: Elbow Lake
Four Piscifun picks for Christina Lake
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Fish to look for at Christina Lake
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Handy answers on Christina Lake
Which DNR office covers Christina Lake?
In Douglas County and Grant County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 4 miles from Ashby.
What is the maximum depth of Christina Lake?
The DNR record gives 3,971 acres, 14 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Christina Lake?
1 public access, with Christina Lake Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Christina Lake?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed.
When did the DNR last survey Christina Lake?
May 30, 2005, in a population assessment. northern pike ran 23.67 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Christina Lake?
All species: Closed to fishing.
Do kids need a license on Christina Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Christina Lake?
Unrecorded.
Where are minnows sold near Christina Lake?
Drive 4 miles to reach T & B's Short Stop.
Plan a lake day on Christina Lake
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.