LAKE ELYSIAN
Lake Elysian in the northwest corner of Waseca County was severely damaged by winterkill in 2004. Test-nettings revealed that very few fish survived, but the DNR has since restocked the 1,900-acre lake, and millions of walleyes are finning here once again.

The 2.5 million fingerlings released in the summer of 2004 have prospered. Early in 2006, anglers were already reporting some of these fish were surpassing 16 inches. The abundance of fish should make a limit for the frying pan a distinct possibility this winter.

Deeper than the average prairie lake, Lake Elysian has a maximum depth of 13 feet. As with the previously mentioned lakes, the winter walleye bite is best after sunset, but because of its depth, Lake Elysian is more likely than the others to spit out a walleye or two during daylight hours.

This lake does offer some substantial bottom and shoreline structure. Rockpiles in the southern portion will occasionally hold groups of walleyes, as will the narrows in the same area, and where several of the lake's points drop off drastically into the deepest holes. Otherwise, fish are scattered across the vast flats, with the northeastern bay near Elysian being one of the more productive areas.

In addition to shiner and fathead minnows working well, jigging spoons, glow jigs and plastic tails placed beneath the ice can attract walleyes.

Lake Elysian is a few years away from reaching its full potential, and it will be quite some time before trophy walleyes begin to appear again. Although a few pike, bass and panfish may have survived the latest freeze-out, no additional stocking of these species had been conducted as of spring 2006. Eventually, these fish may be restocked, but this is not likely to occur before the walleyes are able to secure a place of dominance in the food chain. A Waseca County park supplies access just to the north of U.S. Highway 14 near the city of Janesville. There is also a large public landing one mile east of the town of Elysian on State Highway 60.

For more information regarding Lake Elysian, contact the Elysian Tourism Center at 1-800-507-7787, or visit < ahref="http://www.elysianmn.com/" target="_blank"> www.elysianmn.com

OTHER OPTIONS
Other similar lakes on the prairie that have walleye-producing capabilities include Eagle and Loon in Blue Earth County, Walnut in Faribault County and Hanska in Brown County. Some prairie lakes will have problems with oxygen depletion even during mild winters. It would be wise to check on the status of these fisheries before venturing in their direction.