A Lake Guide for Northern Minnesota Fishing
The following listing of area lakes are some of our favorites to fish.
Each lake fits into one or several of the following categories: Top Minnesota Walleye fishing lakes, Northern fishing lakes, Muskie fishing lakes, Jumbo Perch lakes, Smallmouth Bass fishing lakes, Largemouth Bass fishing lakes, Crappie fishing lakes, and Panfish lakes.
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Leech Lake is Located near the city of Walker, MN. Leech Lake is 112,000 acres of some of the most outstanding multi-species fishing to be found anywhere. Besides excellent walleye fishing, two of the largest muskies caught in the past 10 years, have been caught on this lake - both over 50 pounds. Every year there are many fish taken in the 30- to 40-pound range. The largemouth bass fishing has drawn the attention of many of the premier bass fishermen in the midwest. Their numbers are abundant and their size is outstanding. Many bass in the 3 to 5 pound range are taken annually, with several over 6 pounds registered. There are several different ways to take walleyes on this lake because of the diversification of depth. Walker Bay has depths of up to 120 feet and many of the walleyes there are taken on the deeper humps found there. The main lake basin which surrounds Pelican Island and includes Five Mile Point, Portage Bay, Two Points, Ottertail Point, Sugar Point, Bear Island, Snakepit Flats and Sucker Bay have shallow habitat indicative to walleyes. When the wind blows, the walleyes bite on Leech Lake, and can be taken with jig and minnows, leeches and rigs and trolling with shad raps. Other species present include slab crappies and jumbo perch. |
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Bowstring is a fairly easy lake to fish because its sandbars and rockpiles tend to hold the walleye and crappie. The north side of the lake is full of structured weed beds which are attractive to the lake's northern pike, perch and crappie. The Minnesota DNR lists Bowstring Lake as one of the state's top walleye fishing lakes. According to data from the DNR's latest lake survey, Bowstring is managed primarily for walleye and secondarily for black crappie, northern pike, and jumbo perch. Click or tap here to visit recommended resorts on Bowstring Lake. |
Red Lake, at 288,800 acres, is the largest of all inland lakes in Minnesota. The lake is split into upper and lower basins, with all of Lower Red Lake and about 60% of Upper Red Lake under the jurisdiction of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. The remaining waters fall under state authority. Historically, the lake was a virtual walleye factory, but in the late 1990s overharvest led to a total collapse of the fishery. An unprecedented cooperative effort between the Band and the state, which included stocking 90,000,000 walleye fry over six years, a seven-year moratorium on walleye fishing, and later on, more restrictive sport and commercial fishing regulations, has led to what all agree is a lake that’s loaded with walleyes. About 48,000 acres of Upper Red Lake is open to non-tribal sportfishing, and typically carries a slot limit to protect the fishery, so check fishing regulations before you hit the water. It is now considered one of the premier crappie fisheries in the state. The lake is also known for the common occurrence of catching northerns with lengths of more than 40 inches. Upper Red Lake consists of 107,800 acres and is one of the largest inland lakes in Minnesota. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet and a median depth of 18 feet. |
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Click or tap here to visit recommended resorts on Big Turtle Lake. |
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North Star Lake is a 1,059-acre lake located near Marcell just off the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway. The lake has a maximum depth of 80 feet and a median depth of 26.7 feet. The water is fairly clear and has some steep dropoffs. Some huge northerns roam this lake. For 2005, the DNR has introduced special regulations regarding northern pike on this lake. All northern from 24” to 36” must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 36” is allowed in possession. The DNR has designated North Star a muskie lake and stocks it with both muskies and walleyes. North Star also has plentiful large and smallmouth bass, crappie and panfish. There is more than 14.6 miles of shoreline on North Star, most of it is undeveloped. |
Round Lake is located just off Hwy. 46 near Squaw Lake. Round Lake is a 2,828 acre lake with a maximum depth of 24 feet and a median depth of 12 feet. This lake is best known for its phenomenal jumbo perch. Perch are often taken in the 3/4 to 1-pound range with even larger ones not uncommon. Round Lake also has plentiful walleyes, though they're a bit tough to fish at times. There are a few crappies in the lake and quite a few northerns prowling the water. The mid-lake structure is the best place to hunt for walleye and northerns. |
Spider Lake has a long history of being an all-around good fishing lake, which keeps Spider Lake a popular destination year after year. There are good numbers and sizes of walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie and panfish. Spider is a DNR-designated muskie lake and it holds some impressive sized ones in its depths. There are also numerous northerns in the 5- to 10-pound class and even some 20-pounders to keep the action steady. Spider Lake is located southeast of Marcell. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet and a median depth of 12.1 feet. The shorelength is 16 miles. |
Big Island The underwater islands and deeper points produce better during the summer months - often walleye in the 5- to 8-pound class. Jumbo perch have also increased in numbers over the past few years and northern pike are also plentiful. Big Island Lake has a maximum depth of 35 feet with a median depth of 17 feet. The shorelength is 11.3 miles. |
Pokegama tends to be a better early morning and evening lake due to the recreational boat traffic during the day. Walleyes tend to be found just about anywhere along the entire shoreline. Look for the gradual breaklines and start out in the 18-foot depths moving toward the shallows. Big northern pike lurk in the weedlines throughout the lake, with some being found in the 30-foot depths. Lake Trout can also be found at these depths. Pokegama has a lot of nice slab crappies and an established smallmouth and largemouth bass population. Try working the cabbage beds at 17 feet with spinnerbaits in the evenings for the largemouths. |
Moose Lake and Little Moose Lake are muskie waters that also produce some nice northern pike. Moose Lake's reputation for producing 30- to 40-pound muskies is well known by the locals. The lakes' forage bases and general ecological makeup seem to provide conditions for large fish sizes. Anglers can also find plenty of walleye on Moose by working the numerous underwater islands, bars and points. There are also fair numbers of largemouth bass, crappies and panfish. Moose Lake has a maximum depth of 61 feet with a median depth of 30 feet. It has a shorelength of 6.7 miles. |
Wabana |
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Trout Lake has emerged as one of the area's finer walleye and northern lakes. With a maximum depth of 115 feet and covering 1,890 acres, Trout Lake has numerous northerns in the 10- to 20-pound range and an abundance of walleyes since the DNR stocks the lake regularly. Walleye can be found by trolling the weedlines and the mid-lake structure. Trout Lake has plentiful largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Bass are often found near the rock structure in the middle of the lake and off the multiple points. |
Blackduck Lake is located two miles west of the town of Blackduck. This 2,600-acre lake has been a good walleye producer for many years. It also has a good northern pike population and a lot of yellow perch and other forage fish. One of the reasons for the big walleye numbers is the connection to Red Lake through the Blackduck River. Blackduck Lake has a maximum depth of 28 feet with a median depth of 15 feet. It has a shorelength of 8.5 miles. |
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