At least for some lakes, fish winterkill during the 2022-23 winter season was likely the highest in the past decade, necessitating a round of unanticipated stocking of fish – from bluegills and bass to crappies and pike – for some southern Minnesota DNR fisheries offices.
The silver lining to the most recent fish kill could be excellent fishing in some locations in the near future, as stocked fish face limited competition for food resources, and young, stocked walleyes aren’t consumed by other occupants. Further, winterkill this past season could be a boon for some DNR walleye-rearing ponds.
Home » Home Page News » Southern Minnesota lakes get fish reboot after winterkill
Southern Minnesota lakes get fish reboot after winterkill
SUBSCRIBER CONTENT
Read this article now.
Create a free Outdoor News account.
Create a free account below to get instant access to this article, thousands of Outdoor News stories, and our digital editions. Your 1-month trial starts the moment you sign up.
No credit card required
No credit card required
Subscriber? Login Here.
Share on Social
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Hand-Picked For You
Short on walleyes, but long on muskies: Beers Lake in Minnesota’s Otter Tail County
Glen Schmitt
October 21, 2026
Minnesota’s Outdoor Calendar
Staff Report
October 21, 2026
Minnesota Cuffs & Collars: K9 Molly helps hunter find lost gun
Staff Report
October 21, 2026
Steve Carney: Minnesota fall turkey tag filled, and a great walleye bite on big minnows
Steve Carney
October 21, 2026
EHD drives North Dakota deer season changes
North Dakota Game and Fish Department Reports
October 21, 2026
Minnesota duck hunters await fresh birds as warm weather lingers
Tori McCormick
October 21, 2026
Related Articles

Minnesota duck hunters await fresh birds as warm weather lingers
Tori McCormick
October 21, 2026
If you spoke with enough waterfowlers and waterfowl managers across Minnesota in the last handful of days, the message you

Minnesota DNR reminds firearms deer hunters to prepare for CWD sampling
DNR Report
October 21, 2026
Sampling is mandatory for southwest Minnesota the opening weekend of firearms deer season Nov. 7-8

Short on walleyes, but long on muskies: Beers Lake in Minnesota’s Otter Tail County
Glen Schmitt
October 21, 2026
Otter Tail County’s Beers Lake is an excellent walleye fishery – nope. Beers is loaded with good-sized panfish and northern