Minnesota Fishing Guide

Colby

Washington County, Minnesota — DOW #82009400

44 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Colby has confirmed populations of:

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

70.94
Acres
11 ft
Max Depth
7 ft
Mean Depth
8
Fish Species
6
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Colby. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-11 Standard trap nets 1.2 (normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.15 lb 11
2002-06-11 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 13.0 0.16 lb 1
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.20 lb 1

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-11 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 2.0 – 19.0 0.16 lb 8
2002-06-11 Standard trap nets 13.0 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.19 lb 117
2015-06-08 Standard gill nets 10.0 (normal) 2.0 – 19.0 0.16 lb 10
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 1.6 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.14 lb 11
2012-03-22 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.3 – 27.7 — 6
2007-06-04 Standard gill nets 18.0 (normal) 2.0 – 19.0 0.13 lb 36
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 20.4 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.08 lb 184

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-11 Standard gill nets 21.5 (normal) 8.0 – 90.0 0.31 lb 43
2002-06-11 Standard trap nets 131.8 (above normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.21 lb 1186
2015-06-08 Standard gill nets 43.0 (normal) 8.0 – 90.0 0.36 lb 43
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 36.3 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.34 lb 254
2007-06-04 Standard gill nets 142.0 (above normal) 8.0 – 90.0 0.12 lb 284
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 175.0 (above normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.06 lb 1575

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-11 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.0 – 6.6 0.69 lb 3
2002-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.2 – 2.2 0.44 lb 7
2007-06-04 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.0 – 6.6 0.92 lb 4
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 2.2 (above normal) 0.2 – 2.2 1.79 lb 20

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 0.15 lb 2
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.04 lb 1
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 1.3 — 0.12 lb 12

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.28 lb 2
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 12.7 (normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.12 lb 89
2012-03-22 Standard trap nets 4.8 (normal) 2.8 – 43.3 — 43
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 61.7 (above normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.07 lb 555
2007-06-04 Standard gill nets 2.0 — 0.10 lb 4

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-11 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.18 lb 21
2002-06-11 Standard gill nets 80.5 (above normal) 2.5 – 25.8 0.17 lb 161
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.07 lb 3
2015-06-08 Standard gill nets 38.0 (above normal) 2.5 – 25.8 0.13 lb 38
2007-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 2.5 – 25.8 0.11 lb 1

Channel Catfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2015-06-08 Standard gill nets 3.0 — 0.87 lb 3
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 0.9 — 1.29 lb 6

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 0.8 – 9.3 0.02 lb 5
2007-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.07 lb 1
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 0.8 – 9.3 0.09 lb 7

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2015-06-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.9 0.03 lb 1

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-03-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 1.1 0.64 lb 2
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.1 2.65 lb 1

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-03-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 3.01 lb 3
2007-06-04 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.5 – 9.0 5.21 lb 3
2007-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 5.18 lb 2

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

BackWoods Bear Bait

Forest Lake, MN

(651) 724-4840

★ 5

Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center

Woodbury, MN

(612) 255-0069

★ 3.8

Bayport Custom Rods

Bayport, MN

(651) 343-5737

★ 5

Big Marine Lake Store

Marine on St Croix, MN

(651) 433-5043

★ 4.2

BK Outdoors llc

Cottage Grove, MN

(651) 402-9649

★ 5

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle

Oakdale, MN

(651) 777-2421

★ 4.5

Cabela's

Woodbury, MN

(612) 255-0000

★ 4.2

DICK'S Sporting Goods

Woodbury, MN

(651) 731-0200

★ 3.7

Nearby Marinas

61 Marine & Sports

Hastings, MN

(651) 437-3522

★ 4.4

Afton Boat Storage Co.

Afton, MN

(651) 436-6892

★ 4.4

Bayport launch

Bayport, MN

★ 4.6

Bayport Marina Association

Bayport, MN

(651) 439-2040

★ 4.7

Beanie's Marina

Lakeland, MN

(651) 400-9383

★ 3.5

Boat Storage

Forest Lake, MN

Resorts & Lodges Near Colby

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Colby.

Forest Leaf Lake House
Fishing Resort Forest Lake

(323) 614-3121
J.W. Resort
Fishing Resort Hastings

(715) 781-7808
Stillwater Cabin Rental
Fishing Resort Stillwater

(651) 983-5566
Ice Castle USA
Fishing Resort Forest Lake

(651) 272-5474

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Colby. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillChannel CatfishGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishPumpkinseedYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Colby

Croix Boys Guided Adventures
Fishing Guide

(763) 742-7017
FXR Factory Outlet Superstore - Forest Lake, MN
Fishing Guide

(612) 286-1591
Hook Line & Sinker Outdoor Fishing Guide
Fishing Guide

(612) 704-2498
McMahon’s Musky Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(651) 206-8767
Mighty Musky Fishing Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(651) 335-2118
St. Croix fishing River Guide
Fishing Guide

Other Lakes in Washington County

Alice

26.24 acres

Battle Creek

105.74 acres

Big Carnelian

457.03 acres

Big Marine

1,799.22 acres

Bone

221.45 acres

Carver

50.06 acres

Plan Your Trip to Colby

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.