Child Lake

Child Lake

Size
282ac
Boat Launch
No
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Child Lake
Crappie
Crappie
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Northern pike
Northern pike
Bluegill
Bluegill
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Perch
Walleye
Walleye
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge

Overview

Good numbers of quality size walleye and smallmouth. Well-known for trophy muskie. Good mix of weeds and structure helps the perch and crappie.

Child Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

  • Northern Pike: All from 24-36” must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36”.

Features

The Woman Lake Chain consists of three lakes (Woman, Girl and Child) totaling 5,446 acres that are connected by navigable channels. Caution must be used in navigating the narrow channel between Woman and Child Lakes. Several shallow rock and gravel bars are marked with buoys. In early spring, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources operates a walleye spawn stripping station in the channel between Woman and Child lakes.

Forage

Tullibee (Cisco), perch, darters, shiners and sucker are common. The greatest concentrations of tullibee are found in Woman Lake.

Seasonal Movements

There is a significant movement of walleye from Woman Lake toward the Boy River inlet. Many walleye also spawn along the rocky shoreline stretches of Woman Lake.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
10.2222
0Statewide Range74.0278

Child Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20209
Crappie
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
4
0Statewide Range12.6668

Child Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul
Largemouth bass
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.6667
0Statewide Range3.6668

Child Lake Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
8.6667
0Statewide Range19.75

Child Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul
Perch
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.1667
0Statewide Range43.5833

Child Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul
Pumpkinseed
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.3333
0Statewide Range8.4166

Child Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul
Rock bass
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.2222
0Statewide Range4.2223

Child Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.5
0Statewide Range16.9168

Child Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2013
Jul
2024
Jul