Delaware River

Size
NA
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Delaware River

Overview

Perry Lake was built in the mid-1960’s to provide flood control for the Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi river basins and to provide municipal water supplies for local communities. Best known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, Perry Lake attracts nearly 2 millions visitors annually. Camping, water-skiing, sailing, hunting and fishing are favorite activities. Numerous hiking and equestrian trails are located around the lake. Boaters are reminded that no-wake buoys are placed near marinas and accesses, no-boat buoys are placed near swimming beaches and hazard buoys are located near shallow shoal areas. Shifting silt bars, floating logs and deadheads make boating very hazardous north of the Highway 92 Bridge. Always check the current regulations booklet for up-to-date for length restrictions and harvest limits.

Delaware River Map

Features

Crappie and catfish attract anglers to this popular lake. Also the spring runs of white bass. Nice facilities.

Forage

Gizzard shad are the primary prey species. Good reproduction of this species occurs in years when levels are from 891.5 to 893.5 feet during the month of May. Almost the entire population is of usable size (under 5 inches), but the total amount of forage is directly tied to spawning success. Populations tend to be more dense in the upper reaches of the lake. Other important forage include various species of minnows and young-of-the-year of all species.

Seasonal Movements

White bass make spawning runs far up the Delaware River during April and May, but the amount of fish migrating depends on flow. Adequate precipitation is needed to create the current white bass need to make the run. The sauger population also makes a significant movement into the Delaware River in spring to spawn.

Weather

Current Weather Icon
83°Feels like 85°
High Temperature85°
Low Temperature63°
Sunrise
6:22 AM
Sunset
8:34 PM
Wind Direction
2 mph
Northeast
Precipitation
0 in
Rain
Pressure
29.91 inHg
Falling
Sunny
SundaySu
85° / 63°
Sunny
MondayMo
88° / 66°
Partly Cloudy
TuesdayTu
89° / 68°
Partly Cloudy with Chance of Storms
WednesdayWe
85° / 65°
Partly Cloudy with Isolated Storms
ThursdayTh
84° / 67°
Partly Cloudy with Isolated Storms
FridayFr
89° / 70°

Moon Phase

waning gibbous
August 02, 2026
85% Illumination
waning gibbous, getting dimmer
Moon Rise and Set
Moon Rise 10:31 PM
Moon Set 10:26 AM
Moon Overhead Underfoot
Overhead 4:12 AM
Underfoot 4:34 PM
waning gibbous
SundaySu08/02
waning gibbous
MondayMo08/03
waning gibbous
TuesdayTu08/04
waning gibbous
WednesdayWe08/05
waning crescent
ThursdayTh08/06
waning crescent
FridayFr08/07
waning crescent
SaturdaySa08/08
Waterbody poster background

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Top Fish Species

Channel catfish
Channel catfish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths