Shetek Lake Fishing
Murray County, 3,462 acres, 10 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
First look at Shetek Lake
The DNR lists Shetek Lake as a lake covering 3,462 acres in Murray County. Soundings put the deepest water at 10 feet, with an average of 5 feet. About 97% of the lake, 3,371 acres, is under 15 feet deep. About 4 miles separate the lake from Currie. Surveys come from the Windom area fisheries office.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Anglers launch from 7 public water accesses, 6 of them trailer launches. The newest catch data come from a standard survey on August 12, 2024. Walleye numbers, 32.5 per gill net, landed above the range the DNR expects (3.2-15.3). The DNR ice-out median is April 3 (104 records).
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Fish counts from the last Shetek Lake survey
These rows come from the standard survey on August 12, 2024; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 195 | 32.5 | 3.2-15.3 | 0.77 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 55 | 3.67 | 0.3-1.7 | 1.7 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 61 | 10.17 | 1.2-7.8 | 1.3 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 73 | 4.87 | 1.56 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 103 | 17.17 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.33 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 19 | 1.27 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.35 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 10 | 1.67 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.28 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 41 | 2.73 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.4 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.07 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.15 | 0.2-0.4 |
| White crappie | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.2 | 0.5-15.9 | 0.49 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Yellow bullhead | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.4 | 0.5-4.1 | 0.52 | 0.4-0.8 |
| Black bullhead | Standard gill nets | 1,136 | 189.33 | 4.6-83.0 | 0.03 | 0.2-0.6 |
Gill net totals, Shetek Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The Shetek Lake fishery in the DNR report
“Lake Shetek is a 3,596-acre, class 41 lake, located in Murray County and is the largest lake in the Windom fisheries management area.”
“The lake has a maximum depth of 10.0 ft.”
“and has poor water quality resulting from its disturbed watershed.”
“According to Watershed Health Assessment Framework for Lakes (WHAFL), Lake Shetek has a poor (D+) grade with a landcover disturbance of 75% within the watershed.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Shetek Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on Shetek Lake
- Shetek Lake (SW) Access2 ramps, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Shetek Lake Marsh's Landing Access2 ramps, 15 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Murray County
- Shetek Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Murray County
- Shetek Lake, Inlet Access1 ramp, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Shetek Lake, Keeley Island Access1 ramp, 1 trailer stalls, Murray County
- Shetek Lake, Lake Shetek SPK Access1 ramp, 25 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Shetek Lake (NW) Accesscarry-in access, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Fishing Shetek Lake from shore
- Shetek Fishing Pierfishing pier, Murray County
- Lake Shetek Fishing Pierfishing pier, DNR Division of Parks and Trails, Lake Shetek State Park, Lake Shetek State Park
Accesses a short drive from Shetek Lake
- Bloody Lake AccessBloody, 2 miles east
- Shetek Lake, Armstrong Bay AccessArmstrong Slough, 2 miles east
- Sarah Lake (E) AccessSarah, 3 miles northwest
- Round Lake Access near CurrieRound, 3 miles northeast
- Fox Lake Access near CurrieFox, 3 miles east
- Sarah Lake (W) AccessSarah, 4 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of Shetek Lake
Since 2006, 12 Secchi readings have been recorded on Shetek Lake.
The earliest ice-out on record for Shetek Lake came March 2, 2026; the latest, April 24, 1962.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Shetek Lake elevation
The Shetek Lake level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish on record for Shetek Lake
Species for Shetek Lake come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on Shetek Lake
The statewide table below is every limit that applies on Shetek 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 (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 |
Map position places Shetek Lake in the Southern Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Shetek Lake compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shetek Lake | 3,462 | 10 | 7 | 32.5 | |
| Bloody Lake | 2 miles east | 274 | 9 | 1 | 25 |
| Fox Lake, Murray County | 3 miles east | 172 | 8.5 | 1 | 3.5 |
| Lake Sarah | 3 miles northwest | 1,209 | 10 | 3 | 46.67 |
| Buffalo Lake, Murray County | 7 miles southeast | 127 | 8.5 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Lake of the Hill | 8 miles northwest | 147 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by Shetek Lake
Lakes a short haul from Shetek Lake
- Bloody Lake2 miles east
- Fox Lake, Murray County3 miles east
- Lake Sarah3 miles northwest
- Buffalo Lake, Murray County7 miles southeast
- Lake of the Hill8 miles northwest
Bait counters serving Shetek Lake
- Rainbow Baitbait and tackle shop, Ruthton, 20 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Marshall, 21 miles
- Borch's Sporting Goods Incsporting goods store, Marshall, 22 miles
Places to bunk near Shetek Lake
- Currie5 miles
- Garvin6 miles
- Tracy9 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Shetek Lake
- Murray Countyseat: Slayton
Spinning and baitcasting picks for Shetek Lake
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Species in the nets at Shetek Lake
Photo: Georg Mittenecker, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers before you launch on Shetek Lake
Where does Shetek Lake sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in Murray County, managed from the Windom fisheries office, about 4 miles from Currie.
What acreage does LakeFinder give Shetek Lake?
3,462 surface acres, 10 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on Shetek Lake?
The DNR layer lists 7 public accesses; Shetek Lake Marsh's Landing Access is a good start.
Is Shetek Lake a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish, per DNR surveys.
Is Shetek Lake above normal for walleye?
A standard survey on August 12, 2024; walleye ran 32.5 per gill net.
Is Shetek Lake under experimental regulations?
Statewide limits, Southern Zone.
Do I need a Minnesota license for Shetek Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does Shetek Lake freeze and thaw?
Around April 3 in most years; March 2, 2026 last time.
Where can I buy minnows near Shetek Lake?
Closest on our list: Rainbow Bait, 20 miles.
Hook up the trailer for Shetek Lake
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.