Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 23, 2025
Henderson Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Henderson Lake average 23.31 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 23, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–15 inches. In Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, Henderson Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 13.5 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. 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 Henderson Lake
10 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 Henderson 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 Henderson 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 Henderson Lake average 23.31 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 23, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–15 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Henderson Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, 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
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-06-23 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 80.96 | 0.15 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 23.31 | 0.97 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 13.79 | 0.09 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 10.48 | 0.11 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 4.52 | 0.05 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 4.03 | 0.76 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.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Hybrid Sunfish
Yellow Perch
From the 2025-06-23 survey
A standard survey was conducted on Henderson Lake in mid-June of 2025. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted on May 27, 2025, for post spawn Largemouth Bass. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Henderson Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — HendersonFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — HendersonFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — HendersonPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Henderson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Henderson Lake average 23.31 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 23, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–15 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 10 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 Henderson Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Henderson Lake is dated June 23, 2025. 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 Henderson Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Henderson 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 Henderson Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Henderson Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, 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
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 Henderson Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Henderson Lake
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