Geneva Lake, Freeborn County Fishing
Freeborn County, 1,884 acres, 3.5 feet deep.
Pick for bullheadPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Geneva Lake, Freeborn County: Iulus Ascanius at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Geneva Lake, Freeborn County in numbers
In Freeborn County, Geneva Lake, Freeborn County spreads across 1,884 acres as a lake. It reaches 3.5 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 0.6 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 1,884 acres, or 100%. Census data put Geneva nearest, around 2 miles away. The Waterville DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here.
Expect black bullhead, green sunfish and white sucker, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 1 public water access. A re-survey on May 26, 1982 is the newest on file.
For the bullhead herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Gill net and trap net catch on Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
Read each row against its normal range; data from the re-survey on May 26, 1982.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bullhead | Standard trap nets | 674 | 56.17 | 1.3-78.1 | 0.34 | 0.2-0.6 |
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
“As usual, black bullheads and green sunfish were over-populated in the lake.”
“However, there was great improvement in bullhead size as many larger bullheads were captured, presumably the result of natural population thinning during the drought years.”
“A large part of the lake went dry in 76 and 77 and there was little water depth over- winter so winterkill most likely got bullheads.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Geneva Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
- Geneva Lake Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings neighboring Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
- Beaver Lake Access near EllendaleBeaver, 8 miles northwest
- Manchester WMA AccessUnnamed, 8 miles west
- Fountain Lake, Brookside Landing AccessFountain, 10 miles southwest
- St. Olaf Lake AccessSt. Olaf, 11 miles northwest
- Fountain Lake, North Edgewater Bay AccessFountain, 11 miles southwest
- Albert Lea Lake, Frank Hall Park AccessAlbert Lea, 11 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Geneva Lake, Freeborn County basin
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
Gauge readers send the DNR the Geneva Lake, Freeborn County readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Geneva Lake, Freeborn County fish list
The list for Geneva Lake, Freeborn County follows the DNR LakeFinder record of fish caught in surveys over the last ten years or the latest survey.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Keeping walleye and panfish from Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
Geneva Lake, Freeborn County has no lake-specific limit in the DNR tables.
| 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 |
Zone rows for Geneva Lake, Freeborn County: Southern Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lakes near Geneva Lake, Freeborn County, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva Lake, Freeborn County | 1,884 | 3.5 | 1 | ||
| Beaver Lake, Steele County | 8 miles northwest | 98 | 27 | 1 | 10.33 |
| Fountain Lake, Freeborn County | 10 miles southwest | 522 | 14 | 2 | 6.5 |
| St. Olaf Lake | 10 miles northwest | 91 | 33 | 1 | |
| School Section Lake, Freeborn County | 11 miles southwest | 68 | 4.1 | 0 | |
| Albert Lea Lake | 11 miles south | 2,669 | 5.5 | 3 | 16.67 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Geneva Lake, Freeborn County on the map
Lakes neighboring Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
- Beaver Lake, Steele County8 miles northwest
- Fountain Lake, Freeborn County10 miles southwest
- St. Olaf Lake10 miles northwest
- School Section Lake, Freeborn County11 miles southwest
- Albert Lea Lake11 miles south
Where to grab leeches near Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
- The Dam Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Albert Lea, 11 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Austin, 16 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Owatonna, 20 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Owatonnasporting goods store, Owatonna, 24 miles
Lodging towns close to Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
- Geneva2 miles
- Clarks Grove3 miles
- Hollandale4 miles
Geneva Lake, Freeborn County county pages
- Freeborn Countyseat: Albert Lea
Piscifun tackle for a day on Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
What Minnesota anglers ask about Geneva Lake, Freeborn County
Where in Minnesota is Geneva Lake, Freeborn County?
Freeborn County holds it, managed from the Waterville fisheries office, about 2 miles from Geneva.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Geneva Lake, Freeborn County?
About 1,884 acres, 3.5 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Geneva Lake, Freeborn County have?
1 public access, including Geneva Lake Access.
Which fish has the DNR found in Geneva Lake, Freeborn County?
DNR surveys list black bullhead, green sunfish and white sucker.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Geneva Lake, Freeborn County?
On May 26, 1982, a re-survey. see the table above.
What are the limits on Geneva Lake, Freeborn County?
Nothing beyond statewide limits; it sits in the Southern Zone.
What does a license for Geneva Lake, Freeborn County cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does the ice go out on Geneva Lake, Freeborn County?
No ice-out record is on file.
Which shop is nearest Geneva Lake, Freeborn County?
Try The Dam Bait Shop, around 11 miles off.
Get out on Geneva Lake, Freeborn County this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.