Lower Elk

Grant County, Minnesota — DOW #26004600

122 Surveys

131.36

Acres

13 ft

Max Depth

12 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-04-22	Single-frame trap nets	0.7	—	0.17 lb	2
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	11.0	—	0.04 lb	22
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	2.7	—	0.08 lb	8
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	8.0 (normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.09 lb	16
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.13 lb	29
2022-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	—	1
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	9.4 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.11 lb	75

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-04-22	3/8-in trap nets	3.5	—	0.39 lb	7
2019-04-22	Single-frame trap nets	4.0	—	1.06 lb	12
2010-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	1.48 lb	1
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	1.73 lb	4
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	53.5	—	0.07 lb	107
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	75.7	—	0.04 lb	227
1997-08-25	Standard gill nets	74.0 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.21 lb	148
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	41.8 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.27 lb	334
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	1.1 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.73 lb	9
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	12.0 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.71 lb	24
2023-05-03	3/8-in trap nets	12.0	—	0.29 lb	24
2023-05-03	Single-frame trap nets	95.0	—	0.02 lb	285
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	4.0 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.47 lb	32
2022-08-22	Standard gill nets	78.5 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.17 lb	157
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	12.3 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.24 lb	98
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	237.0 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.06 lb	474

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-04-22	3/8-in trap nets	2.5	—	0.02 lb	5
2019-04-22	Single-frame trap nets	0.3	—	0.06 lb	1
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.17 lb	12
2010-08-23	Standard gill nets	56.5 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.12 lb	113
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	52.5	—	0.07 lb	105
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	21.7	—	0.10 lb	65
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	4.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.76 lb	36
1997-08-25	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.88 lb	2
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	10.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.11 lb	83
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	76.5 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.17 lb	153
2023-05-03	3/8-in trap nets	13.0	—	0.04 lb	26
2023-05-03	Single-frame trap nets	1.3	—	0.17 lb	4
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.11 lb	1
2022-08-22	Standard gill nets	35.0 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.10 lb	70
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	16.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.08 lb	131
2001-08-20	Survey seining	15.7	—	—	47
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	38.0 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.08 lb	76

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-04-22	Single-frame trap nets	1.0	—	1.41 lb	3
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.4 – 4.5	0.93 lb	7
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	0.5 – 5.6	0.64 lb	6
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 4.5	0.34 lb	2
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.4 – 4.5	0.63 lb	3

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-04-22	3/8-in trap nets	1.0	—	1.03 lb	2
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.02 lb	11
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	1.3	—	0.21 lb	4
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	4.0	—	0.53 lb	8
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	0.38 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.91 lb	13
2022-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	0.25 lb	4
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	5.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.51 lb	46

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-04-22	Single-frame trap nets	2.3	—	7.13 lb	7
2010-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.0 – 13.8	11.01 lb	1
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.5	6.51 lb	1
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	0.7	—	0.82 lb	2
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.5	8.00 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	1.26 lb	5
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.5	9.37 lb	5
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 5.5	4.99 lb	8
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.5	6.54 lb	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-23	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.52 lb	4
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	2.53 lb	1
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	0.5	—	3.20 lb	1
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	3.0	—	3.97 lb	9
1997-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.1 – 8.0	6.22 lb	1
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	3.13 lb	14
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.1 – 8.0	5.42 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.48 lb	1
2022-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	3.29 lb	4
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	3.72 lb	2
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	1.67 lb	4
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	1.1	—	2.41 lb	9

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.9	7.35 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	5.0 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.46 lb	40
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	30.5	—	0.05 lb	61
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	9.0	—	0.08 lb	27
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.22 lb	2
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	8.1 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.16 lb	65
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.10 lb	34
2001-08-20	Survey seining	1.0	—	—	3
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	6.0	—	0.16 lb	12
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.14 lb	29

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.83 lb	14
2010-08-23	Standard electrofishing	18.3	—	2.93 lb	11
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	17.0	—	0.66 lb	34
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	12.7	—	0.66 lb	38
2005-08-22	Standard electrofishing	22.7	—	1.57 lb	17
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.75 lb	4
2022-08-22	Standard electrofishing	21.3	—	1.43 lb	33
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.70 lb	6
2001-08-20	Standard electrofishing	1.7	—	0.10 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.3 – 18.1	4.39 lb	3
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	0.32 lb	14
2022-04-26	3/8-in trap nets	1.0	—	2.68 lb	2
2022-04-26	Single-frame trap nets	0.3	—	2.56 lb	1
1997-08-25	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.84 lb	7
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	6.1 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.60 lb	49
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	7.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.72 lb	14
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.87 lb	7
2022-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.94 lb	1
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.0	3.27 lb	3
2001-08-20	Survey seining	1.0	—	—	3
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.25 lb	8
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.09 lb	14

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.6	4.39 lb	1
1997-08-25	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.8 – 6.5	2.14 lb	3
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.6	2.49 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.6	3.97 lb	1
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.6	3.36 lb	1

OSS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	2.6	—	0.04 lb	21
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.03 lb	1
2022-08-22	Standard trap nets	1.5	—	0.03 lb	12
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.04 lb	2
2001-08-20	Survey seining	1.3	—	—	4
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	1.5	—	0.06 lb	3

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	10.19 lb	1
2022-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	0.8 – 7.0	0.06 lb	5

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.18 lb	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.6	0.10 lb	1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	0.16 lb	8

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Adrenaline Sports of Alex

Alexandria, MN

(320) 766-2675

★ 5

Alexandria Jet Ski/Pontoon Rental

Alexandria, MN

(320) 808-5887

★ 5

Ark & Spark

Underwood, MN

(218) 864-5969

★ 4.6

Battle Lake Boat Works

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 864-5567

★ 3.8

Bayside Rentals

Alexandria, MN

(320) 834-3990

★ 2.3

Bobbers Marine & Sports Center

Glenwood, MN

(320) 634-5952

★ 4.2

Resorts & Lodges Near Lower Elk

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Lower Elk.

Barrett Lake Resort-Campground

Fishing Resort Barrett

(320) 528-2598

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Fish Species

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

Bigmouth Buffalo Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Brown Bullhead Common Carp Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Orangespotted Sunfish Walleye Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Grant County

Nelson

Plan Your Trip to Lower Elk

Weather forecast for Lower Elk — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 45.8574°N, 95.7852°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

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

Lower Elk

DNR Fish Surveys

Black Crappie

Black Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead

Common Carp

Northern Pike

Bowfin

Bluegill

Largemouth Bass

Walleye

White Sucker

OSS

BIB

Pumpkinseed

Golden Shiner

Hybrid Sunfish

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Chumpy's Bait Shop

Ben's Bait Shop

Bosek Fisheries and Wholesale Live Bait

Brophy Bay Mart

Christopherson Bait and Tackle

Cowing Robards Sports

Dunham's Sports

Dunham's Sports

Nearby Marinas

Adrenaline Sports of Alex

Alexandria Jet Ski/Pontoon Rental

Ark & Spark

Battle Lake Boat Works

Bayside Rentals

Bobbers Marine & Sports Center

Resorts & Lodges Near Lower Elk

Fish Species

Other Lakes in Grant County

Barrett

Cottonwood

Elk

Graham

Lightning

Nelson

Plan Your Trip to Lower Elk