Hanska Lake Fishing
Brown County, 1,795 acres, 16 feet deep.
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Hanska Lake in numbers
In Brown County, Hanska Lake spreads across 1,795 acres as a lake. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 4.5 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 1,773 acres, or 99%. Census data put La Salle nearest, around 5 miles away. The Hutchinson DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 3 public water accesses. A standard survey on August 29, 2021 is the newest on file. At 10 walleye per gill net, the catch ran within the 3.2-15.3 normal range. Ice usually leaves around April 3, the DNR median across 78 records.
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Read each row against its normal range; data from the standard survey on August 29, 2021.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 90 | 10 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.38 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 31 | 2.58 | 0.3-1.7 | 1.34 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.11 | 1.2-7.8 | 2.87 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 33 | 3.67 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.47 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.58 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.25 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 100 | 11.11 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.48 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 270 | 22.5 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.21 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.22 | 0.61 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 72 | 6 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.35 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.8 | 0.9 | 0.4-1.5 |
| Channel catfish | Standard gill nets | 251 | 27.89 | 1.57 | ||
| Channel catfish | Standard trap nets | 30 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
What the Hanska Lake gill nets held
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Hanska Lake
“Hanska is a large (1,794 acres) and shallow lake located near the City of Hanska in Brown County.”
“A large state-owned access with a double cement boat ramp is located on the southeast shore.”
“A smaller state-owned access with a cement boat ramp is located at the northwest end of the lake – north of Godahl.”
“A moderate-sized county access with a cement boat ramp is located at the northwest end of the lake – on the north shoreline.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Hanska Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Hanska Lake
- Hanska Lake (S) Access2 ramps, 30 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Hanska Lake, Geiger Point Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Albin Township
- Hanska Lake, Godahl Landing Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Albin Township
Fishing piers along Hanska Lake
- Hanska Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, Brown County
Landings neighboring Hanska Lake
- Wood Lake Access near DarfurWood, 7 miles southwest
- Cottonwood River, Theden's Landing AccessCottonwood River, 8 miles northwest
- Cottonwood River, Hwy 4 AccessCottonwood River, 9 miles northwest
- Clear Lake Access near New UlmClear, 10 miles northeast
- Cottonwood River, Co Rd 11 AccessCottonwood River, 10 miles north
- Cottonwood River, Co Rd 10 AccessCottonwood River, 10 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Hanska Lake basin
Secchi disk readings on Hanska Lake number 6, the first in 2006.
Hanska Lake has lost its ice as soon as March 1, 2007 and as late as April 26, 1951.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Hanska Lake
Gauge readers send the DNR the Hanska Lake readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Hanska Lake fish list
The list for Hanska Lake 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 Hanska Lake
Hanska Lake 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 Hanska Lake: Southern Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lakes near Hanska Lake, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanska Lake | 1,795 | 16 | 3 | 10 | |
| Wood Lake, Watonwan County | 8 miles west | 559 | 4.3 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Clear Lake, Brown County | 10 miles northeast | 252 | 8 | 1 | 3 |
| St. James Lake | 11 miles south | 203 | 15.4 | 1 | 1 |
| Fedji Lake | 12 miles east | 172 | 6 | 1 | |
| Sleepy Eye Lake | 13 miles northwest | 241 | 21 | 1 | 1.33 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Hanska Lake on the map
Lakes neighboring Hanska Lake
- Wood Lake, Watonwan County8 miles west
- Clear Lake, Brown County10 miles northeast
- St. James Lake11 miles south
- Fedji Lake12 miles east
- Sleepy Eye Lake13 miles northwest
Where to grab leeches near Hanska Lake
- R & R Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, New Ulm, 14 miles
- Hunter's Densporting goods store, New Ulm, 15 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, New Ulm, 15 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Springfield, 20 miles
- Darryl's Motorsportssporting goods store, Ormsby, 20 miles
Lodging towns close to Hanska Lake
- La Salle5 miles
- Hanska6 miles
- St. James11 miles
Hanska Lake county pages
- Brown Countyseat: New Ulm
Piscifun tackle for a day on Hanska Lake
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What Minnesota anglers ask about Hanska Lake
Where in Minnesota is Hanska Lake?
Brown County holds it, managed from the Hutchinson fisheries office, about 5 miles from La Salle.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Hanska Lake?
About 1,795 acres, 16 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Hanska Lake have?
3 public accesses, including Hanska Lake (S) Access.
Which fish has the DNR found in Hanska Lake?
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Hanska Lake?
On August 29, 2021, a standard survey. walleye ran 10 per gill net.
What are the limits on Hanska Lake?
Nothing beyond statewide limits; it sits in the Southern Zone.
What does a license for Hanska Lake 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 Hanska Lake?
The DNR median is April 3, with the latest record April 11, 2008.
Which shop is nearest Hanska Lake?
Try R & R Bait & Tackle, around 14 miles off.
Get out on Hanska Lake this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.