Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 10, 2023
Species recorded at Gilchrist 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 Gilchrist 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
1 public boat landing is recorded on Gilchrist Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 10, 2023 caught 4.83 walleye per gill net at Gilchrist Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Gilchrist Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-07-10 (Standard Survey).
12 surveys on file · most recent 2023-07-10 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Sunfish | 31.76 | 5–7 in 1996-07-08 | 0.47 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 25.72 | 7–8 in 2023-07-10 | 0.28 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 16.91 | 5–6 in 2023-07-10 | 0.11 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and 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.
Green Sunfish
Hybrid Sunfish
Yellow Perch
From the 2023-07-10 survey
Lake Gilchrist is a shallow 321-acre basin located in southeast Pope County. Maximum depth is 24.0 feet. Approximately 61% of the surface area is less than 15.0 feet in depth. The East Branch of the Chippewa River runs through the basin. Water quality and habitat conditions are variable in response to a large…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Gilchrist Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GilchristFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — GilchristFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — GilchristPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Gilchrist Lake?
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 10, 2023 caught 4.83 walleye per gill net at Gilchrist Lake. 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 Gilchrist Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Gilchrist 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 Gilchrist Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Gilchrist 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.
Do the water-quality readings tell me how Gilchrist Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Gilchrist Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
Water-quality readings are 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 with clear, low-nutrient water can still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Gilchrist Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Gilchrist Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Planning a trip to Gilchrist Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Gilchrist Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.