DNR lake ID 51004600
Shetek
Lake Shetek is the county’s largest recreation anchor, the setting for Lake Shetek State Park and the source of the Des Moines River.
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Southwest Minnesota · glacial lakes, prairie and city shorelines
Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi County joins an urban lakefront in Willmar to Green Lake and Spicer, the rolling glacial country around New London, and broad prairie water farther south. Foot Lake puts trails and public green space beside the county seat; Lake Andrew anchors Sibley State Park; and Big Kandiyohi Lake opens onto a lower, wind-shaped horizon.
Accessible orientation
Use Willmar as the hinge between lake districts
Willmar and Foot Lake form the central urban anchor. Spicer and Green Lake lie northeast; New London, Lake Andrew and Sibley State Park continue north. Big Kandiyohi Lake and its county parks lie south of Willmar, while the Glacial Lakes State Trail links Willmar and New London.
- Center: begin in Willmar for Foot Lake, Robbins Island and city services.
- Northeast: connect Spicer and Green Lake with New London and Sibley State Park.
- South: use county information for Big Kandiyohi Lake’s east and west shore parks.
Canonical named-lake discovery
Four reviewed lake identities
This versioned starter catalog contains four verified named DNR basins, not a countywide total. Unnamed records are excluded, and each DNR identity appears once.
DNR lake ID 51008200
Currant
Currant Lake is a named shallow prairie basin with DNR and county public accesses shown on the official county access map.
Continue to the lake directoryDNR lake ID 51002100
Fulda
Fulda Lake is a named DNR basin beside Fulda; the official access map identifies county access on First Lake and a city fishing pier on Second Lake.
Continue to the lake directoryDNR lake ID 51008100
Wilson
Wilson Lake is a named DNR basin at Lake Wilson with a city-managed public access identified on the official map.
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Verified parks, camping and trails
Choose the public manager before the activity
Launches, campsites, trail access and seasonal hours change. These official anchors establish the place relationships; follow the responsible manager’s current notice before departure.
Lake Shetek State Park
Minnesota DNR manages camping, cabins, trails, a beach, fishing pier and boat landing on Lake Shetek. Check alerts, accessibility and reservations on the park page.
Check the state parkCasey Jones State Trail
A six-mile paved loop links Lake Shetek State Park and Currie. The DNR trail page provides current uses, parking and condition information.
Check the state trailDes Moines River headwaters
The DNR identifies Lake Shetek as the source of the Des Moines River. Water levels and hazards change, so use the state water-trail guidance rather than assuming paddling conditions.
Check the water trail
Fishing and clean-water practice
Match the lake ID, then check today’s rules
Green, Big Kandiyohi, Norway and Andrew have distinct DNR records. Regulations, access and aquatic-invasive-species notices can change, so confirm the water and season before fishing, then clean, drain and dispose before moving equipment.
Glacial terrain and community shorelines
The county’s water story spans deep ice-block basins in northern glacial moraine, shallower prairie basins to the south, and public shorelines woven into Willmar, Spicer and New London. Use official park interpretation and current calendars for verified cultural and natural-history programs.
Four-season planning
Let prairie weather and manager notices set the pace
- Spring: expect cold water, wind and soft trails; check launch and campground openings.
- Summer: plan shade, drinking water and storm awareness; confirm campsites, ramps and beach notices.
- Fall: look for migration and prairie color while checking hunting zones and refuge route dates.
- Winter: use official land-trail reports; weather and photographs never prove safe lake or river ice.
