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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (upper arm) is open for everyone; the other 4 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Big Kandiyohi Lake

Kandiyohi County, Minnesota · about 2,510 acres (3.9 sq mi)

44°F water, calm this morning.

Water44°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today10 mphSSE
Best bite3:30 pmto 5:30 pm

About Big Kandiyohi Lake

In Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, Big Kandiyohi Lake covers about 2,510 acres.

It stretches about 3.5 miles end to end with roughly 11.6 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 1,100 ft above sea level. Willmar lies about 9.3 miles to the northwest. The closest city is Saint Cloud, about 53 miles away.

Size
About 2,510 acres (3.9 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 11.6 miles
End to end
About 3.5 miles
Elevation
About 1,100 ft
County
Kandiyohi County

The lake from above

1 1 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Saturday Good

  • 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Sunday Good

  • 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 4:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

For a lake of this size in Minnesota, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish are the fish to expect. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 44°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Good
    Walleye

    Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

  • Good
    Northern pike

    Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.

  • Slow
    Largemouth bass

    Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.

  • Good
    Yellow perch

    Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Upper arm

    The lake narrows toward the incoming river or creek; moving water carries food.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

4 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

44°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Saturday 40° / 20° 10 mph SSE Partly Sunny
Sunday 44° / 22° 10 mph S Sunny

Sunrise 7:15 am · sunset 4:52 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Big Kandiyohi Lake

  • Willmarabout 9.3 mi northwest
  • Atwaterabout 11 mi northeast
  • Oliviaabout 14 mi south
  • Spicerabout 15 mi north
  • Saint Cloudnearest city, about 53 mi northeast

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Questions about Big Kandiyohi Lake

What fish are in Big Kandiyohi Lake?

Lakes like Big Kandiyohi Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Big Kandiyohi Lake?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Big Kandiyohi Lake?

About 2,510 acres, with about 11.6 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Big Kandiyohi Lake?

Willmar is about 9.3 miles northwest; Atwater is about 11 miles northeast.

What is the water temperature at Big Kandiyohi Lake today?

The surface was about 44°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Big Kandiyohi Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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