Fishing Lincoln Lake

Lincoln Lake stands out for its exceptional Northern Pike fishery, with fish growing over an inch above state average and a very high density of 2.4 fish per acre compared to the state average of 0.8 per acre. The 411-acre lake produced Northern Pike ranging from 9 to nearly 40 inches, with 40% reaching the 24-inch legal size and females consistently outgrowing males. Walleye growth is even more impressive at 2.4 inches above state average, though the population density is lower at 0.9 fish per acre - most fish come from recent fall fingerling stockings in 2015, 2017, and 2019. The lake's marl and muck bottom in deep areas transitions to sand flats along the east shoreline, creating wide shelves that hold fish. With a maximum depth of 64 feet, much of the lake stays at least 30 feet deep, and dissolved oxygen remains fishable to 16 feet during summer stratification. Lincoln Lake holds the current state record Black Crappie at 4.12 pounds caught in 1947, and the lake has produced 18 Master Angler Longnose Gar ranging from 32 to 50 inches. The panfish community shows a Schneider Index of 3.3 for Bluegill (acceptable to satisfactory), with most fish running 4-6 inches, while Black Crappie dominate by numbers but run smaller at 5-7 inches. Bass fishing draws serious attention with 35 registered tournaments between 2016-2023, averaging 23 anglers per event and 34 bass weighed, with 61% of Largemouth Bass reaching the 14-inch legal size. Only 35% of the shoreline is developed, leaving extensive natural habitat, and the lake sits in a chain system connected to Little Lincoln Lake upstream, which can complicate fish movement during high water periods when Walleye have been observed downstream of the outlet dam.