Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest September 8, 2025
Wood Lake FishingDWater-quality grade D
Minnesota DNR surveys at Wood Lake average 38.37 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 8, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–9 inches. In Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, Wood Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of D. Water clarity averages 3.0 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 Wood Lake
11 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 Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood Lake average 38.37 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 8, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–9 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Wood Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
14 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-09-08 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 139.60 | 0.27 lb |
| Black Crappie | 59.48 | 0.24 lb |
| Walleye | 38.37 | 1.05 lb |
| Fathead Minnow | 33.54 | — |
| Bluegill | 11.03 | 0.24 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
Black Crappie
Walleye
Bluegill
From the 2025-09-08 survey
A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Wood during September 8, 2025 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. 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…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Wood Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — WoodFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — WoodFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — WoodPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Wood Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Wood Lake average 38.37 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 8, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–9 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 11 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 Wood Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Wood Lake is dated September 8, 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 Wood Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Wood 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 Wood Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Wood Lake D 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 Wood Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Wood Lake
Planning a trip to Wood Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Wood Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.