Lake Elmo

Location:

Lake Elmo is located in the city of Lake Elmo.

Lake Map:

View the map (pdf)

Stocking Report:

View Stocking Report (dnr site)

Species Present:

Walleye:average abundance, average size Northern Pike: higher than average abundance, average size but some larger individuals present.
Tiger Muskie: low abundance, average or above average size. The state record tiger muskie was caught in Lake Elmo (34 pounds 12 ounces).
Largemouth Bass: average abundance, average size but some larger bass present.
Bluegill: average abundance, small size.
Crappie: low abundance, larger than average size.
Trout: low abundance, large size.
Tullibee: average abundance, average size.

Boat Access:

The boat access is located within Lake Elmo Regional Park Reserve. Travel east on I-94 and exit on Woodbury Drive (County Road 19). Turn left (north) to the park entrance. Follow park signs to the boat access.

Shore Fishing:

There is a fishing pier located within the regional park. Follow signs in the park. Additional shore angling is available adjacent to the boat launch area. Ambitious anglers may fish from shore anywhere in the regional park, but some areas will require lengthy hikes to access. Shore angling may be limited by overhanging trees and very clear water. Lake Elmo drops off to deep water very close to shore along most of the park shoreline.

Winter Access:

There is no public access to this lake in the winter as the park closes the access road and maintains it as a ski trail. A private riparian owner at the south east end of the lake allows access for a fee some years.

Management Plans:

1. Population assessment in 2012, 2015 and 2018.
2. Stock 206 hybrid muskie fingerlings in odd numbered years.
3. Stock surplus trout when available.
4. Stock 206,000 walleye fry (1,000 per acre) in 2011 and 2013.
5. Stock 15,450 walleye frylings (75 per acre) in 2012 and 2014,

Exotic Species Alert:

This lake contains Eurasian water milfoil. Remove any visible plant material from boat, trailer and boating equipment before leaving the lake.

Comments:

Lake Elmo is a hard lake to fish. Very clear water and limited structure make fish hard to catch. Tullibee were re-introduced into the lake to provide high quality forage for northern pike and tiger muskie. The successful tullibee stocking has resulted in improving the quality of northern pike caught in the lake. Surplus adult brown and rainbow trout are stocked as they become available, with anglers reporting catching trout up to 8 pounds. Experimental stocking of walleye frylings (minnow sized fingerlings stocked in early summer) shows some promise for improving the walleye population.

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Note: All data collected from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources