Koronis Lake (main lake) Fishing
Stearns County and Meeker County, 2,968 acres, 132 feet deep.
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Koronis Lake (main lake), the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Koronis Lake (main lake), a lake in Stearns County and Meeker County, at 2,968 acres. Maximum depth is 132 feet, with an average of 29 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 1,147 acres (39%). Paynesville is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 3 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Spicer 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 5 accesses open to public use. The last DNR standard survey ran on July 29, 2024. Walleye catch rates sat above normal: 27 per gill net against 4.0-9.6.
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The standard survey of July 29, 2024 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 | 108 | 27 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.83 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 27 | 1.93 | 0.3-0.9 | 2.25 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 27 | 6.75 | 3.0-7.9 | 4.14 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.29 | 4.22 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 281 | 70.25 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.04 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 48 | 3.43 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 41 | 10.25 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.45 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 28 | 2 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.23 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 27 | 6.75 | 0.21 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 527 | 37.64 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.1 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.25 | 0.3-1.2 | 0.29 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.79 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.34 | 0.3-0.7 |
Koronis Lake (main lake) gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Koronis Lake (main lake)
“A standard survey summer of Lake Koronis was conducted in late July of 2024.”
“In addition, a fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Koronis during October 9, 2024, to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to natural reproduction and a fry stocking.”
“Koronis is a large (2,968 acres), deep (132 feet maximum), and productive lake located primarily in Stearns County.”
“Koronis is a popular fishery for Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Tullibee and Bluegill.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Koronis Lake (main lake) (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Koronis Lake (main lake)
Accesses on Koronis Lake (main lake) known to LakeFinder but not mapped: DNR (concrete), Township (gravel), Township (concrete), County (concrete) and City (concrete).
Docks for anglers at Koronis Lake (main lake)
- Lake Koronis, Veterans Park Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Paynesville
Water accesses near Koronis Lake (main lake)
- Koronis Lake, Co Park AccessKoronis, under a mile southwest
- Koronis Lake, Lake Park AccessKoronis, 1 mile northeast
- Koronis Lake, Hwy55 AccessKoronis, 2 miles east
- North Fork Crow River, Highway 4 AccessNorth Fork Crow River, 3 miles southeast
- Rice Lake (S) AccessRice, 4 miles northeast
- Rice Lake (N) AccessRice, 5 miles northeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Koronis Lake (main lake) basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 15 Secchi readings on Koronis Lake (main lake) since 2007.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Fish found in Koronis Lake (main lake)
Every species shown for Koronis Lake (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 Koronis Lake (main lake)
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Koronis Lake (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 (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 |
Koronis Lake (main lake) sits in the North-central 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 Koronis Lake (main lake) against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koronis Lake (main lake) | 2,968 | 132 | 0 | 27 | |
| Rice Lake, Stearns County | 5 miles northeast | 1,513 | 41 | 2 | 14.25 |
| Calhoun Lake | 7 miles southwest | 647 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| Long Lake near New London, Kandiyohi County | 8 miles west | 325 | 46 | 2 | 2 |
| Vails Lake | 9 miles east | 161 | 20 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Deep Lake, Stearns County | 9 miles northeast | 54 | 54 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Koronis Lake (main lake)
More Minnesota lakes near Koronis Lake (main lake)
- Rice Lake, Stearns County5 miles northeast
- Calhoun Lake7 miles southwest
- Long Lake near New London, Kandiyohi County8 miles west
- Vails Lake9 miles east
- Deep Lake, Stearns County9 miles northeast
Minnow buckets filled near Koronis Lake (main lake)
- Paynesville Fleet Supplyfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Paynesville, 4 miles
- Lang's Wholesale Baitbait and tackle shop, Eden Valley, 9 miles
- West Central Baitbait and tackle shop, New London, 11 miles
- Shellfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Spicer, 13 miles
- Mel's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Spicer, 13 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Litchfield, 18 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Koronis Lake (main lake)
- Paynesville3 miles
- Roscoe8 miles
- Regal8 miles
Counties that Koronis Lake (main lake) reaches
- Stearns Countyseat: St. Cloud
- Meeker Countyseat: Litchfield
Four Piscifun picks for Koronis Lake (main lake)
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Fish to look for at Koronis Lake (main lake)
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Handy answers on Koronis Lake (main lake)
Which DNR office covers Koronis Lake (main lake)?
In Stearns County and Meeker County, managed from the Spicer fisheries office, about 3 miles from Paynesville.
What is the maximum depth of Koronis Lake (main lake)?
The DNR record gives 2,968 acres, 132 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Koronis Lake (main lake)?
No point in the DNR access layer; 5 accesses in LakeFinder.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Koronis Lake (main lake)?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
When did the DNR last survey Koronis Lake (main lake)?
July 29, 2024, in a standard survey. walleye ran 27 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Koronis Lake (main lake)?
No special rule; statewide rows in the North-central Zone.
Do kids need a license on Koronis Lake (main lake)?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Koronis Lake (main lake)?
Average clarity: 4.7 feet.
Where are minnows sold near Koronis Lake (main lake)?
Drive 4 miles to reach Paynesville Fleet Supply.
Plan a lake day on Koronis Lake (main lake)
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