Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 27, 1988
Stocking at Waptus Lake
No stocking record for Waptus Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is an absence in the published record, not a confirmation that the lake is unstocked — some waters are managed as naturally reproducing and never appear in a stocking list at all.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Waptus 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 27, 1988 caught 2.67 northern pike per gill net at Waptus Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Waptus Lake’s water-quality measurements separately. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1988-07-27 (Standard Survey).
2 surveys on file · most recent 1988-07-27 (Standard Survey)
38 years old| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 7.92 | 0.24 lb | |
| Black Crappie | 4.75 | 0.4 lb | |
| Northern Pike | 2.85 | 0.96 lb | |
| White Sucker | 0.75 | 1.77 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.
From the 1988-07-27 survey
NO LARGE BLACK CRAPPIE WERE CAUGHT IN TEST NETS, BUT ELECTROSHOCKING DID TURN SOME NICE SIZE CRAPPIE, NORTHERN PIKE, NUMBERS APPEAR STABLE BUT ARE SMALL IN SIZE. YELLOW PERCH NUMBERS ARE HIGH AND APPEAR STUNTED MORE DATA IS NEEDED.
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Waptus Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — WaptusFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Waptus (1340)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — WaptusPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Waptus Lake?
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 27, 1988 caught 2.67 northern pike per gill net at Waptus Lake. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Waptus Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Waptus Lake is dated July 27, 1988. 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 Waptus Lake stocked?
No stocking record for Waptus Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is not the same as a confirmed unstocked lake: it means no stocking document was published for it in the records this page draws on.
Do the water-quality readings tell me how Waptus Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Waptus Lake’s water-quality measurements separately. 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 Waptus Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Waptus Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Planning a trip to Waptus Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Waptus Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.