Tetonka Lake Fishing
Le Sueur County, 1,358 acres, 35 feet deep.
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Tetonka Lake, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Tetonka Lake, a lake in Le Sueur County, at 1,358 acres. Maximum depth is 35 feet, with an average of 19 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 551 acres (41%). Waterville is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 2 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Waterville manages it.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boaters have 1 public water access. The last DNR standard survey ran on July 31, 2023. Walleye catch rates sat within normal: 4.75 per gill net against 1.2-6.3. Open water typically returns near April 2, per 76 DNR records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on Tetonka Lake
The standard survey of July 31, 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 | 57 | 4.75 | 1.2-6.3 | 2.02 | 1.2-2.7 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 16 | 1.45 | 0.3-1.2 | 2.71 | 0.8-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 79 | 6.58 | 1.5-7.3 | 3.9 | 2.0-3.5 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 12 | 1.09 | 3.17 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 14 | 1.17 | 2.0-27.9 | 0.05 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.55 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.2 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 49 | 4.08 | 2.5-16.5 | 0.36 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 37 | 3.36 | 1.8-21.2 | 0.32 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 55 | 4.58 | 0.11 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 64 | 5.82 | 7.5-62.5 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.3-0.8 | 0.4-1.0 | |
| Largemouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 8 | 6.01 | 1.4 |
Tetonka Lake gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Tetonka Lake
“Tetonka Lake is a 1,336-acre lake located on the west side of the town of Waterville in Le Sueur County.”
“Tetonka Lake has a maximum depth of 35 feet with approximately 41% of the lake less than 15 feet deep.”
“The lake is designated as infested due to the presence of Eurasian Watermilfoil.”
“The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and secondarily for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Tetonka Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Tetonka Lake
- Tetonka Lake Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Docks for anglers at Tetonka Lake
- Tetonka Lagoon Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Waterville
- Tetonka Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Water accesses near Tetonka Lake
- Cannon River, Sakatah Lake, Waterville AccessCannon River, 2 miles east
- Fish Lake Access near ElysianFish, 3 miles west
- Lily Lake Access near ElysianLily, 3 miles southwest
- Reeds Lake AccessReeds, 3 miles south
- Elysian Lake (N) AccessElysian, 3 miles southwest
- Tustin Lake AccessTustin, 3 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Tetonka Lake basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 5 Secchi readings on Tetonka Lake since 2009.
On Tetonka Lake, recorded ice-out dates run from March 3, 2024 to April 29, 2018.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on Tetonka Lake
DNR gauge readers record Tetonka Lake by hand; the last entry is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish found in Tetonka Lake
Every species shown for Tetonka Lake turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Tetonka Lake
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Tetonka 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 |
Tetonka 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 Tetonka Lake against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tetonka Lake | 1,358 | 35 | 1 | 4.75 | |
| Fish Lake, Le Sueur County | 3 miles west | 77 | 55 | 1 | |
| Lily Lake, Waseca County | 3 miles southwest | 114 | 23 | 1 | |
| Reeds Lake | 3 miles south | 195 | 58 | 1 | |
| Upper Sakatah Lake | 3 miles east | 892 | 12 | 1 | 1.25 |
| Rays Lake | 4 miles west | 169 | 32 | 1 | 0.83 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Tetonka Lake
More Minnesota lakes near Tetonka Lake
- Fish Lake, Le Sueur County3 miles west
- Lily Lake, Waseca County3 miles southwest
- Reeds Lake3 miles south
- Upper Sakatah Lake3 miles east
- Rays Lake4 miles west
Minnow buckets filled near Tetonka Lake
- Jt's Hooked Up Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Elysian, 4 miles
- CORNER BAITbait and tackle shop, Madison Lake, 10 miles
- Lake Country Convenience & Baitbait and tackle shop, Faribault, 14 miles
- Johns Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Faribault, 16 miles
- Nagel's Live Baitbait and tackle shop, Faribault, 16 miles
- Mac's Shacksfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Faribault, 16 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Tetonka Lake
- Waterville2 miles
- Elysian4 miles
- Kilkenny6 miles
Counties that Tetonka Lake reaches
- Le Sueur Countyseat: Le Center
Four Piscifun picks for Tetonka Lake
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Fish to look for at Tetonka Lake
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Nick Loveland, CC0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Handy answers on Tetonka Lake
Which DNR office covers Tetonka Lake?
In Le Sueur County, managed from the Waterville fisheries office, about 2 miles from Waterville.
What is the maximum depth of Tetonka Lake?
The DNR record gives 1,358 acres, 35 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Tetonka Lake?
1 public access, with Tetonka Lake Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Tetonka Lake?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
When did the DNR last survey Tetonka Lake?
July 31, 2023, in a standard survey. walleye ran 4.75 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Tetonka Lake?
No special rule; statewide rows in the Southern Zone.
Do kids need a license on Tetonka Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Tetonka Lake?
The record gives April 2 as the median and March 26, 2026 as the latest.
Where are minnows sold near Tetonka Lake?
Drive 4 miles to reach Jt's Hooked Up Bait And Tackle.
Plan a lake day on Tetonka Lake
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.