Elysian (Main Lake) Fishing
Waseca County and Le Sueur County, 2,215 acres, 13 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Minnesota River: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region, Public domain
Elysian (Main Lake), the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Elysian (Main Lake), a lake in Waseca County and Le Sueur County, at 2,215 acres. Maximum depth is 13 feet, with an average of 7 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 2,215 acres (100%). Elysian is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 2 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Waterville manages it.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. No access point is mapped, though LakeFinder notes 3 accesses open to public use. The last DNR standard survey ran on June 21, 2021. Walleye catch rates sat above normal: 15.5 per gill net against 3.2-15.3.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on Elysian (Main Lake)
The standard survey of June 21, 2021 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 93 | 15.5 | 3.2-15.3 | 2.68 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.3-1.7 | 2.51 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.83 | 1.2-7.8 | 3.72 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 145 | 24.17 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.21 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 21 | 1.75 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 178 | 29.67 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.18 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 69 | 5.75 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.38 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.33 | 0.48 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 71 | 5.92 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.22 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.67 | 0.1-0.8 | 1.49 | 0.4-1.5 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 89 | 67.65 | 0.6 | ||
| Channel catfish | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.83 | 3.25 |
Elysian (Main Lake) gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Elysian (Main Lake)
“Elysian Lake is a 1,902-acre lake located between the towns of Elysian and Janesville in Waseca County.”
“Two DNR-operated public accesses area available for use; one on the north end of the lake just off MN Highway 60 and another on the south end of the lake adjacent to Lakeview Park.”
“An additional, county-operated access is located on the northeast side of the lake off East Elysian Road.”
“A public fishing pier is available on the south side of the lake near the Lakeview Park access.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Elysian (Main Lake) (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Elysian (Main Lake)
Accesses on Elysian (Main Lake) known to LakeFinder but not mapped: City (concrete), DNR (gravel) and DNR (gravel).
Water accesses near Elysian (Main Lake)
- Elysian Lake (S) AccessElysian, 2 miles southwest
- Elysian Lake (N) AccessElysian, 2 miles northeast
- Frances Lake (E) AccessFrances, 2 miles north
- Tustin Lake AccessTustin, 2 miles north
- Lily Lake Access near ElysianLily, 3 miles northeast
- Rays Lake AccessRays, 3 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Elysian (Main Lake) basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 3 Secchi readings on Elysian (Main Lake) since 2015.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Fish found in Elysian (Main Lake)
Every species shown for Elysian (Main Lake) turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Elysian (Main Lake)
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Elysian (Main 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 (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | 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 |
Elysian (Main Lake) sits in the Southern 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 Elysian (Main Lake) against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elysian (Main Lake) | 2,215 | 13 | 0 | 15.5 | |
| Lily Lake, Waseca County | 3 miles northeast | 114 | 23 | 1 | |
| Frances Lake | 3 miles north | 927 | 60 | 2 | 3.33 |
| Rays Lake | 3 miles north | 169 | 32 | 1 | 0.83 |
| Reeds Lake | 4 miles east | 195 | 58 | 1 | |
| Fish Lake, Le Sueur County | 4 miles north | 77 | 55 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Elysian (Main Lake)
More Minnesota lakes near Elysian (Main Lake)
- Lily Lake, Waseca County3 miles northeast
- Frances Lake3 miles north
- Rays Lake3 miles north
- Reeds Lake4 miles east
- Fish Lake, Le Sueur County4 miles north
Minnow buckets filled near Elysian (Main Lake)
- Jt's Hooked Up Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Elysian, 2 miles
- CORNER BAITbait and tackle shop, Madison Lake, 7 miles
- Mankato SCHEELSsporting goods store, Mankato, 13 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Mankato, 13 miles
- Bobber Shop Fishingbait and tackle shop, Mankato, 15 miles
- Walt's Hook Line & Sinkerbait and tackle shop, Saint Peter, 16 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Elysian (Main Lake)
- Elysian2 miles
- Janesville4 miles
- Waterville7 miles
Counties that Elysian (Main Lake) reaches
- Waseca Countyseat: Waseca
- Le Sueur Countyseat: Le Center
Four Piscifun picks for Elysian (Main Lake)
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish to look for at Elysian (Main Lake)
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Handy answers on Elysian (Main Lake)
Which DNR office covers Elysian (Main Lake)?
In Waseca County and Le Sueur County, managed from the Waterville fisheries office, about 2 miles from Elysian.
What is the maximum depth of Elysian (Main Lake)?
The DNR record gives 2,215 acres, 13 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Elysian (Main Lake)?
No point in the DNR access layer; 3 accesses in LakeFinder.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Elysian (Main Lake)?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish.
When did the DNR last survey Elysian (Main Lake)?
June 21, 2021, in a standard survey. walleye ran 15.5 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Elysian (Main Lake)?
No special rule; statewide rows in the Southern Zone.
Do kids need a license on Elysian (Main Lake)?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Elysian (Main Lake)?
Average clarity: 1.6 feet.
Where are minnows sold near Elysian (Main Lake)?
Drive 2 miles to reach Jt's Hooked Up Bait And Tackle.
Plan a lake day on Elysian (Main Lake)
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.