Jackson County, Minnesota
South Heron Lake
Best fishing times today, in local lake time.
Today
Good day
Next major bite
4:39–6:39 PM CT- Major bite (moon overhead): 4:07–6:07 AM
- Minor bite (moonset): 12:53–1:53 PM
- Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:39–6:39 PM
- Minor bite (moonrise): 9:29–10:29 PM
- Sunrise
- 7:54 AM
- Sunset
- 6:14 PM
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 74%
Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.
Conditions
- Air
- 36°F
- Wind
- 5 mph E
- Sky
- Partly Sunny
- Pressure
- 30.29 inHgSteady (+0.6 hPa in 3 h)
National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KMJQ at 6:55 AM CT.
7-day bite calendar
| Day | Rating | Major | Major | Minor | Minor | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 4:07–6:07 AM | 4:39–6:39 PM | 12:53–1:53 PM | 9:29–10:29 PM | Waning gibbous, 74% | |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 5:09–7:09 AM | 5:39–7:39 PM | 1:38–2:38 PM | 10:47–11:47 PM | Waning gibbous, 63% | |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 5:07–7:07 AM | 5:34–7:34 PM | 1:12–2:12 PM | 11:05 PM–12:05 AM | Last quarter, 52% | |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 6:00–8:00 AM | 6:24–8:24 PM | 1:39–2:39 PM | — | Waning crescent, 40% | |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 6:48–8:48 AM | 7:11–9:11 PM | 12:20–1:20 AM | 2:02–3:02 PM | Waning crescent, 30% | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 7:34–9:34 AM | 7:56–9:56 PM | 1:32–2:32 AM | 2:22–3:22 PM | Waning crescent, 20% | |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 8:18–10:18 AM | 8:40–10:40 PM | 2:42–3:42 AM | 2:41–3:41 PM | Waning crescent, 13% |
What's biting on South Heron Lake in October
South Heron Lake covers 2,641 acres and is 5 ft at its deepest, so it has no deep, cool water to hold fish in summer. These are the sport fish DNR surveys found here, and what each typically does in October in Minnesota lakes.
- WalleyeFall walleye feed heavily on rocky points and breaklines; dusk and after dark are often best.
- Northern pikeFall pike feed heavily along the last green weeds and drop-offs.
- CrappieFall crappies school tightly in deeper basins and feed actively.
- Yellow perchFall perch school on deep flats and feed heavily.
Season notes: Minnesota statewide inland seasons from the DNR's 2026–27 fishing regulations. Check current regulations.
Fish in South Heron Lake
Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of South Heron Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (May 22, 2023).
- WalleyeSpawns over gravel and rock in the shallows soon after ice-out, peaking in 42–50°F water; in summer it holds deeper and feeds in the shallows at dawn and dusk.
- Northern pikeSpawns in flooded, weedy shallows right after ice-out and keeps feeding in cold water, so it bites from spring through ice season.
- Black crappieSpawns in May and June in shallow water in the mid-60s °F; schools roam open water and feed most at night, dawn and dusk.
- Yellow perchSpawns in early spring, draping egg ribbons over weeds and brush, and bites eagerly on worms all year, including through the ice.
Also found
- Bigmouth buffalo
- Black bullhead
- Common carp
- Orangespotted sunfish
- White sucker
- Yellow bullhead
Lake facts
- Area
- 2,641 acres
- Max depth
- 5 ft
- County
- Jackson County
- Nearest town
- Lakefield
- DNR lake ID
- 32005707
Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).
Nearby lakes
- Lake Ocheda20 mi · Nobles County
- Lake Shetek36 mi · Murray County
- Lake Hanska43 mi · Brown County
- Lura Lake61 mi · Blue Earth County
- Lake Benton63 mi · Lincoln County
- Lake Washington77 mi · Le Sueur County