Emily Lake, Pope County Fishing
Pope County, 2,316 acres, 6 feet deep.
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Key facts on Emily Lake, Pope County
Emily Lake, Pope County covers 2,316 acres of Pope County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 6 feet, with an average of 5 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 2,311 acres, roughly 100% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Hancock, about 8 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Glenwood oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 1 public water access sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on June 6, 2022. The DNR counted 6.75 walleye per gill net, within its normal range of 2.3-18.1.
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Catch per net set from the standard survey dated June 6, 2022, 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 | 6.75 | 2.3-18.1 | 1.73 | 1.0-2.3 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.5-3.0 | 3.27 | 0.8-2.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 44 | 5.5 | 1.1-8.0 | 4.23 | 1.8-3.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 4.02 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 19 | 2.38 | 2.7-25.0 | 0.15 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.07 | 0.3-3.8 | 0.19 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 19 | 2.38 | 1.4-13.8 | 0.31 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 36 | 2.4 | 1.2-20.5 | 0.88 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 31 | 3.88 | 0.11 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 169 | 11.27 | 1.2-20.0 | 0.17 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.38 | 0.2-1.5 | 1.67 | 0.6-1.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 89 | 71.2 | 1.56 |
Fish per species in the Emily Lake, Pope County gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Emily Lake, Pope County
“Lake Emily is a shallow 2,377-acre, highly-productive basin located in southwestern Pope County.”
“Despite a low average depth, winterkill events have been rare.”
“Groundwater exchange, springs, and combined stream flows in the Little Chippewa River and from Lake Minnewaska help sustain adequate dissolved oxygen levels to support fish life during winter months.”
“Water transparency has increased to exceed 3 feet in recent years.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Emily Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Emily Lake, Pope County
- Emily Lake Access near Hancock1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Boat launches serving Emily Lake, Pope County
- Signalness Lake, Mountain Lake AccessSignalness, 6 miles east
- Page Lake AccessPage, 7 miles west
- Minnewaska Lake (NW) AccessMinnewaska, 8 miles northeast
- Hassel Lake AccessHassel, 9 miles south
- Long Lake Access near CyrusLong, 9 miles northwest
- Lake Charlotte AccessCharlotte, 9 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Emily Lake, Pope County gets
Emily Lake, Pope County has 3 clarity readings on file since 2010.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Emily Lake, Pope County
This Emily Lake, Pope County series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Emily Lake, Pope County surveys
LakeFinder builds the Emily Lake, Pope County list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Emily Lake, Pope County
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Emily Lake, Pope County.
| 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 Emily Lake, Pope County; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Emily Lake, Pope County
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Lake, Pope County | 2,316 | 6 | 1 | 6.75 | |
| Signalness Lake | 6 miles east | 42 | 14 | 1 | 5.5 |
| Page Lake | 7 miles west | 375 | 17 | 1 | 5 |
| Long Lake, Stevens County | 9 miles northwest | 620 | 9.5 | 1 | 8.17 |
| Nelson Lake, Pope County | 10 miles east | 293 | 15 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Lake Charlotte | 10 miles northwest | 468 | 20 | 1 | 7.67 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Emily Lake, Pope County
Neighbor lakes around Emily Lake, Pope County
- Signalness Lake6 miles east
- Page Lake7 miles west
- Long Lake, Stevens County9 miles northwest
- Nelson Lake, Pope County10 miles east
- Lake Charlotte10 miles northwest
Bait and tackle closest to Emily Lake, Pope County
- Minnewaska Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Starbuck, 8 miles
- Mike's Guns And Sporting Goodssporting goods store, Benson, 14 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Benson, 14 miles
- Fish onbait and tackle shop, Glenwood, 15 miles
- Glenwood Fleet Supplyfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Glenwood, 16 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Emily Lake, Pope County
- Hancock8 miles
- Cyrus8 miles
- Starbuck8 miles
Emily Lake, Pope County, county lines
- Pope Countyseat: Glenwood
Piscifun gear suited to Emily Lake, Pope County
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Emily Lake, Pope County questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Emily Lake, Pope County?
Find it in Pope County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 8 miles from Hancock.
How deep is Emily Lake, Pope County?
Roughly 2,316 acres, 6 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Emily Lake, Pope County?
Try Emily Lake Access near Hancock, one of 1 public access.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Emily Lake, Pope County?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish.
How does Emily Lake, Pope County compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of June 6, 2022. walleye ran 6.75 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Emily Lake, Pope County?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Emily Lake, Pope County?
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 Emily Lake, Pope County?
Secchi readings average 2.5 feet.
Which bait shop is closest to Emily Lake, Pope County?
Minnewaska Bait & Tackle is about 8 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Emily Lake, Pope County
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.