Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 12, 2021
Winona Lake FishingFWater-quality grade F
Minnesota DNR surveys at Winona Lake average 37.10 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 22 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 12, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–17 inches. In Winona County, Minnesota, Winona Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F. Water clarity averages 2.6 feet of visibility, and there are 3 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 Winona Lake
24 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 Winona 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
3 public boat landings are recorded on Winona 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 Winona Lake average 37.10 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 22 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 12, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–17 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Winona 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
22 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2021-07-12 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 39.05 | 0.14 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 37.10 | 1.37 lb |
| Black Crappie | 12.94 | 0.24 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 4.31 | 0.16 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 3.18 | 0.63 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
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
From the 2021-07-12 survey
The 318 acre Lake Winona is located in the City of Winona and is surrounded by city park and biking path. There are two distinct basins to the lake. The upper (West) basin is generally shallow with little depth diversity, while the lower (East) basin has more depth and habitat diversity. A dredging project completed…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Winona Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — WinonaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — WinonaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — WinonaPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Winona Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Winona Lake average 37.10 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 22 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 12, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–17 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 24 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 Winona Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Winona Lake is dated July 12, 2021. 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 Winona Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Winona 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 Winona Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Winona 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 Winona Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Winona Lake
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