Hendricks Lake Fishing
Lincoln County, 1,522 acres, 9 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Hendricks Lake: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Hendricks Lake, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Hendricks Lake, a lake in Lincoln County, at 1,522 acres. Maximum depth is 9 feet, with an average of 5.7 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 1,522 acres (100%). Hendricks is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 3 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Ortonville manages it. It falls under the South Dakota-Minnesota border water regulations.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and smallmouth bass. Boaters have 2 public water accesses. The last DNR standard survey ran on August 21, 2023. Walleye catch rates sat within normal: 13.33 per gill net against 3.2-15.3. Open water typically returns near April 5, per 24 DNR records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on Hendricks Lake
The standard survey of August 21, 2023 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 | 40 | 13.33 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.44 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.9 | 0.3-1.7 | 1.14 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 13 | 4.33 | 1.2-7.8 | 3.78 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.5 | 4.62 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 90 | 30 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.41 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.7 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.58 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.5 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.2-0.5 | |
| Black crappie | 1/4-in trap nets | 585 | 58.5 | |||
| Bluegill | 1/4-in trap nets | 102 | 10.2 | |||
| Sunfish | Fall electrofishing | 13 | 26 | |||
| White bass | Standard gill nets | 236 | 78.67 | 0.8-7.1 | 0.3 | |
| White bass | Standard trap nets | 61 | 6.1 | 0.4-1.9 | 1.39 | 0.2-0.8 |
Hendricks Lake gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Hendricks Lake
“Hendricks Lake is on the Minnesota – South Dakota border.”
“The lake is adjacent to the southwest Minnesota town of Hendricks.”
“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks comanage the fishery and border waters fishing regulations apply.”
“An aeration system is often operated during winter near the City of Hendricks by the Lake Hendricks Improvement Association.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Hendricks Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Hendricks Lake
- Hendricks Lake (E) Access2 ramps, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, City of Hendricks
- Hendricks Lake (S) Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Water accesses near Hendricks Lake
- Shoakatan Lake (NW) AccessShaokotan, 8 miles southeast
- Steep Bank Lake AccessSteep Bank, 8 miles northeast
- Shaokatan Lake (S) AccessShaokotan, 9 miles southeast
- Ash Lake (N) AccessNorth Ash, 10 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Hendricks Lake basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 17 Secchi readings on Hendricks Lake since 2008.
On Hendricks Lake, recorded ice-out dates run from February 25, 2024 to April 30, 2018.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on Hendricks Lake
DNR gauge readers record Hendricks Lake by hand; the last entry is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish found in Hendricks Lake
Every species shown for Hendricks Lake turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Hendricks Lake
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Hendricks Lake.
South Dakota-Minnesota season table for Hendricks Lake
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 4 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20") | Continuous |
| Northern pike (angling) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 6 | Continuous |
| Northern pike (spearing) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 3 | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 6 combined total | Continuous |
| Crappie | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 10 | Continuous |
| Sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, green, orangespotted, northern, warmouth, and their hybrids) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Rock bass | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 20 | Continuous |
| Bullhead | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 100 | Continuous |
| Perch | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 15 daily and 30 in possession | Continuous |
| Catfish (channel and flathead) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 5 combined total. Not more than 2 can be flathead (only 1 catfish over 24"). | Channel catfish: continuous; Flathead catfish: April 1 – Nov. 30 |
| 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 |
Hendricks 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 Hendricks Lake against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendricks Lake | 1,522 | 9 | 2 | 13.33 | |
| Steep Bank Lake | 8 miles northeast | 198 | 6.5 | 1 | 16 |
| Shaokotan Lake | 8 miles southeast | 996 | 10 | 2 | 25 |
| Perch Lake, Lincoln County | 9 miles east | 246 | 16.2 | 1 | 5.75 |
| Oak Lake, Lincoln County | 12 miles east | 108 | 10 | 1 | 22 |
| Drietz Lake | 13 miles east | 72 | 4 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Hendricks Lake
More Minnesota lakes near Hendricks Lake
- Steep Bank Lake8 miles northeast
- Shaokotan Lake8 miles southeast
- Perch Lake, Lincoln County9 miles east
- Oak Lake, Lincoln County12 miles east
- Drietz Lake13 miles east
Minnow buckets filled near Hendricks Lake
- Independent Oil & Sports LLCsporting goods store, Canby, 18 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Canby, 19 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Hendricks Lake
- Hendricks3 miles
- Ivanhoe11 miles
- Arco16 miles
Counties that Hendricks Lake reaches
- Lincoln Countyseat: Ivanhoe
Four Piscifun picks for Hendricks Lake
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Fish to look for at Hendricks Lake
Photo: Nick Loveland, CC0
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: -Rorey-, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Handy answers on Hendricks Lake
Which DNR office covers Hendricks Lake?
In Lincoln County, managed from the Ortonville fisheries office, about 3 miles from Hendricks.
What is the maximum depth of Hendricks Lake?
The DNR record gives 1,522 acres, 9 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Hendricks Lake?
2 public accesses, with Hendricks Lake (E) Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Hendricks Lake?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass and white crappie.
When did the DNR last survey Hendricks Lake?
August 21, 2023, in a standard survey. walleye ran 13.33 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Hendricks Lake?
No special rule; statewide rows in the Southern Zone.
Do kids need a license on Hendricks Lake?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
How clear is Hendricks Lake?
The record gives April 5 as the median and March 15, 2025 as the latest.
Where are minnows sold near Hendricks Lake?
Drive 18 miles to reach Independent Oil & Sports LLC.
Plan a lake day on Hendricks Lake
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.