Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 10, 2023
East Toqua Lake FishingFWater-quality grade F
Minnesota DNR surveys at East Toqua Lake average 860.71 fathead minnow per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 10, 2023. In Big Stone County, Minnesota, East Toqua Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F. Water clarity averages 1.6 feet of visibility, and there are 2 public boat landings. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at East Toqua Lake
15 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at East Toqua Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
2 public boat landings are recorded on East Toqua Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at East Toqua Lake average 860.71 fathead minnow per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 10, 2023.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades East Toqua Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
15 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-07-10 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | 860.71 | — |
| Black Bullhead | 63.04 | 0.44 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Black Bullhead
From the 2023-07-10 survey
East Toqua Lake borders Graceville in west-central Minnesota. It is 428 acres and has a maximum depth of nine feet. The lake is highly productive and water clarity is often low. Toqua County Park is located along the south shoreline and it provides a boat launch, fishing pier, shore angling, picnicking and camping.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for East Toqua Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — East ToquaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — East ToquaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — East ToquaPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in East Toqua Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at East Toqua Lake average 860.71 fathead minnow per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 10, 2023. Minnesota DNR lists 15 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was East Toqua Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for East Toqua Lake is dated July 10, 2023. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is East Toqua Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for East Toqua Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how East Toqua Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades East Toqua Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near East Toqua Lake
Top-rated places to stay near East Toqua Lake
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