Split Hand Lake
Itasca County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 31035300
DNR records show 3 stocking entries at Split Hand Lake since 2018, most recently walleye fry in 2024 (511,000 fish).
- Split Hand Lake has 3 DNR stocking records across 3 years (2018-2024): walleye (3).
- The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 1,533,000 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 34 ft; surface area 1,374 acres, 511 littoral acres, 7.3 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 3.6 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: bigmouth buffalo, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, and 5 more.
- 2 public accesses on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Itasca County, nearest town Grand Rapids; DNR lake number (DOW) 31035300.
Depth map
Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 9/8/1953 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | fry | 511,000 | 4.8 |
| 2021 | Walleye | fry | 511,000 | 5.1 |
| 2018 | Walleye | fry | 511,000 | 5.1 |
Field note · Minnesota stocks by year, not by truck day: walleye fry go in within weeks of ice-out, fingerlings and yearlings mostly in fall, and stream trout in spring and fall. A row here means the fish went in during that year; DNR adds the year's rows after the fact, so the current year can look empty until winter.
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| concrete ramp | Minnesota DNR | West shore of lake T.53 R.25 S.27 off Co. Rd. #432. |
| earthen ramp | PRI |
DNR fish survey, 2025
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 28.75 | 345 | 0.22 |
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 6.00 | 72 | 2.18 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 4.17 | 50 | 0.14 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 2.92 | 35 | 1.91 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 2.42 | 29 | 3.23 |
| White sucker | Standard gill nets | 1.67 | 20 | 2.22 |
| Yellow bullhead | Standard gill nets | 0.42 | 5 | 1.47 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 0.42 | 5 | 0.45 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 10.00 | 120 | 0.21 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 7.25 | 87 | 0.34 |
| White sucker | Standard trap nets | 1.00 | 12 | 3.30 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard trap nets | 0.42 | 5 | 1.26 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 0.42 | 5 | 0.37 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 0.25 | 3 | 3.95 |
| Bowfin (dogfish) | Standard trap nets | 0.25 | 3 | 5.93 |
| Yellow bullhead | Standard trap nets | 0.17 | 2 | 1.17 |
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.
Split Hand Lake is a large, productive lake that supports a diverse fish community and popular fishing opportunities. The lake's water chemistry and fertility are well-suited for fish growth, although water clarity is typically limited, with visibility usually around three to four feet. Overall, the lake continues to function as a healthy warm-water system with some cool and cold-water species present. Walleye remains the primary management focus on Split Hand Lake, and the population is in good condition. The 2025 fisheries survey found walleye numbers to be at or above management targets and similar to what has been observed historically. Fish ranged from small juveniles to adults up to 25 inches, with many fish in the 17-20 inch range. The protected slot limit (20-24 inches) continues to provide good protection for mid-sized spawning fish while still allowing harvest opportunities. Larger walleye are present at levels consistent with past surveys. Walleye reproduction is occurring naturally and consistently, with most of the population coming from natural spawning rather than stocking. Fry stocking continues to supplement the population, but survey results show no clear advantage of stocked fish over naturally produced fish. Growth and maturity rates have remained stable for nearly two decades, indicating a balanced and sustainable walleye population. Northern Pike abundance remains low to moderate, which is typical for this lake type and meets management objectives. Most pike sampled were in the low- to mid-20 inch range, with relatively few larger fish present. The limited number of older, larger pike suggests that harvest is modest. Anglers and spearers are encouraged to harvest smaller pike (under 22 inches) to help improve size structure over time. Black Crappie were abundant in Split Hand Lake, with catch rates higher than expected for similar lakes. Many fish were of harvestable size, and growth rates were good. However, the population was dominated by younger fish, with few older individuals present. This pattern is consistent with heavy fishing pressure, particularly during the winter season. Recruitment appears frequent but variable, meaning strong year-classes occur periodically rather than every year. Bluegill numbers were higher than expected during the 2025 survey, and the population included a good mix of sizes. Many bluegills were in the 7-8-inch range, providing quality angling opportunities. Size structure suggests successful recruitment in recent years. Tullibee, a cold-water species that can be sensitive to warm summer…
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
All Minnesota stockings · every Minnesota lake with a page · state CSV · this lake on DNR LakeFinder
Stocking rows, depths, accesses and survey figures are Minnesota DNR LakeFinder data as of 2026-09-02; contours are the DNR bathymetric survey. Regulations, slot limits and special rules are on the DNR page linked above, not here.
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