Coon Lake

Location:

Coon Lake is located in Columbus Township and the cities of East Bethel and Ham Lake, both of which are in the northern Anoka County.

Species Present:

Northern Pike: above average abundance, average size. 
Largemouth Bass: average abundance, average size. 
Bluegill: above average abundance, average size. 
Crappie: average abundance, smaller than average size. 
Bullhead species: average abundance, average size. 
Yellow Perch: low abundance, small size. 
Walleye: low abundance, average size.

 

Boat Access:

  • DNR Access is located on the north shore of the west basin, just west of the narrows. To reach this site, turn off Anoka County Road 22 (Viking Blvd.) at Thielen Blvd. N.E. and go south to the access.
  • Anoka County access is located within Coon Lake County Park. This facility is located on the eastern shore of the east basin, just off Lexington Ave. North (County Road 17).
  • This lake has a surface water use restriction limiting travel in part of the narrows between the two basins to slow, no wake. 

Shore Angling:

Shore angling is limited on this lake by aquatic vegetation and shallow water close to shore. Anglers fish from the rock jetties at the DNR access. There may be some shore angling in the County park, but the water is very shallow in that area of the lake. 

Special Regulation:

Walleye caught on Coon Lake must be at least 17 inches long to keep. 

Management Plans:

  1. Fisheries standard lake survey in 2025.
  2. Monitor winter oxygen levels as needed.
  3. Operation of winter aeration devices by Anoka County Parks.
  4. Stock 549 pounds of Walleye fingerlings annually.

Aquatic Invasive Species Alert:

This lake contains Eurasian watermilfoil. Remove any visible plant material from boat, trailer and boating equipment before leaving the lake. 

Comments:

Northern Pike and Bluegill provide the majority of angling opportunities on this lake. Both species are numerous, but are small. There have been reports of improved bass fishing here with some larger fish being taken.

Once noted as a lake to fish for big Crappie, Coon has become a bass-bluegill lake since aeration began in the lake 1980s, with Bluegill replacing Crappie as the most abundant species. Crappie are still present, but in much lower abundance than before the aeration system was installed.

Walleye management by the state began in 2008. Walleye are present, but in low abundance. The special regulation is intended to increase the catch rate of Walleye and limit harvest to larger fish. 

More information about Coon Lake

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