Fifteen Lake
Clay County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 14003000
DNR records show 4 stocking entries at Fifteen Lake since 2016, most recently walleye fry in 2024 (97,948 fish).
- Fifteen Lake has 4 DNR stocking records across 4 years (2016-2024): walleye (4).
- The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 391,948 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 24 ft, mean depth 10 ft; surface area 154 acres, 99 littoral acres, 3.4 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 10.0 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Clay County, nearest town Hawley; DNR lake number (DOW) 14003000.
Depth map
Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 7/21/1964 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | fry | 97,948 | 0.9 |
| 2022 | Walleye | fry | 98,000 | 0.8 |
| 2018 | Walleye | fry | 98,000 | 0.8 |
| 2016 | Walleye | fry | 98,000 | 0.8 |
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| asphalt ramp | Minnesota DNR | Located on NE shore off township road. |
DNR fish survey, 2024
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 18.34 | 27 | 1.54 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 18.11 | 163 | 0.13 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 1.00 | 9 | 0.79 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 1.00 | 9 | 0.19 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard trap nets | 0.78 | 7 | 0.87 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 0.67 | 6 | 0.26 |
| Black bullhead | Standard trap nets | 0.44 | 4 | 0.76 |
| Hybrid sunfish | Standard trap nets | 0.11 | 1 | 0.00 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 15.00 | 90 | 2.51 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 7.67 | 46 | 0.19 |
| Black bullhead | Standard gill nets | 3.50 | 21 | 0.52 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard gill nets | 2.50 | 15 | 1.00 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1.33 | 8 | 1.24 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 0.67 | 4 | 0.09 |
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 0.50 | 3 | 3.78 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 0.50 | 3 | 0.22 |
Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.
Lake Fifteen is a 133-acre, class 34 lake in southeastern Clay County. It is within the Buffalo River Watershed District. The lake's maximum depth is approximately 24 feet and has a history of infrequent winterkills. There is a DNR maintained public access on the north shore. In June 2024, the fish community was assessed with night electrofishing, six gill nets, and nine trap nets. Northern Pike have been historically abundant in Lake Fifteen, and this was also the case in 2024. Pike had an average length of just over 21 inches, with the largest measuring 37 inches. Unlike Northern Pike, Walleye abundance in Lake Fifteen has been historically low, despite consistent stocking of Walleye fry. Only three Walleyes were caught during the survey in 2024. Those captured had an average length of 21 inches, and a maximum length of 25 inches. Bluegill abundance was lower than past surveys, with fish averaging 5.5 inches long. Although fish up to 8 inches were measured, most Bluegill were less than 7.5 inches long. This survey was the first time night electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was completed in Lake Fifteen. The average length of Largemouth Bass sampled was 13 inches. The largest Bass captured was just over 20 inches. Crappie abundance was lower than past surveys. Crappie ranged in size from 7 to 9 inches long and had an average length of 8 inches. Yellow Perch abundance was also low, with the largest fish measuring just under 7 inches long. Bullhead abundance remained low, with both Black and Brown Bullheads being present. Other species observed included hybrid sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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