Minnesota · Becker County
Bad Medicine Lake Fishing guide
Bad Medicine Lake covers 803 acres in Becker County, Minnesota, reaching 84 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 21.1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Excellent numbers9.7per gill net14"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 90 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 88 fish
2022Lengths measured · 2 fish
2022Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 57 fish
2017Lengths measured · 34 fish
2012Smallmouth bassFair numbers14.8per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 35 fish
2022Lengths measured · 44 fish
2017Lengths measured · 39 fish
2012Lengths measured · 9 fish
2006Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few4.8per gill net22"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 45 fish
2022Lengths measured · 38 fish
2017Lengths measured · 33 fish
2012Lengths measured · 42 fish
2006BluegillJust a few0.9per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 13 fish
2017Lengths measured · 5 fish
2012Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2006Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Yellow perchFair numbers1.9per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 18 fish
2022Lengths measured · 8 fish
2017Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2012Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 23 fish
2006Rainbow troutLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 32 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 30 fish
2022Lengths measured · 2 fish
2022Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 18 fish
2017Lengths measured · 53 fish
2012Rock bassElite fishery10.6per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 125 fish
2022Lengths measured · 67 fish
2017Lengths measured · 76 fish
2012Lengths measured · 82 fish
2006Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Bad Medicine Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 21.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 84 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 21.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 84 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Smallmouth bass | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24" | 19" | — |
| 2017 | 24" | 18" | — |
| 2012 | 20" | 18" | 20" |
| 2006 | 23" | 14" | — |
| 2001 | 24" | — | 14" |
| 1996 | 22" | — | 8" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 817 fingerlings · 3,729 yearlings · 228 adults |
| 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 22,322 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 7,876 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 16,000 yearlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 11,675 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Bad Medicine is a four mile long, narrow, 800-acre, 84 foot deep, clear water lake located in northeastern Becker County and within the White Earth Indian Reservation. The lake has steep, primarily rocky, slopes near shore. Although the lake lies within the Mississippi River drainage, it has no outlet and is primarily groundwater fed. Historical water clarity records from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency indicate the average water clarity is 25 feet at Bad Medicine Lake. A state-owned public access is located on the north shore off MN 113. Approximately 16,000 Rainbow Trout are stocked annually and Walleye fingerlings are stocked biennially in even years. A standard survey was done on Bad Medicine Lake in mid-July 2022 to assess the fish community.
Walleyes sampled during the 2022 survey ranged from 8.0 to 24.5 inches, with an average size 15.5 inches. Walleye gill net catch rates were above average for this lake and also higher than lakes of similar biological conditions. Fish over 15 inches represented 51% of the fish sampled. There is some natural reproduction of Walleye, but stronger year classes are presented in years of fingerling stockings.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike abundance remains low in Bad Medicine Lake. The average length of Northern Pike sampled during the 2022 survey was 22.6 inches, while Northern Pike up to 35.5 inches were sampled. Gill nets sampled 31 Rainbow Trout during the 2022 survey, which was close to the lake's historical average. Lengths ranged from 11.7 to 15.5 inches, with an average length of 13.3 inches.
Smallmouth Bass remain abundant in Bad Medicine Lake, as the 2022 assessment documented the highest catch rate (3.7 per gill net) on record for this species. Average length of Smallmouth Bass sampled was 14.1 inches and fish up to 19.1 inches were sampled.
Rock Bass also are abundant, with an average length of 7.8 inches. Yellow Perch numbers continue to be low with their average length being 6.8 inches. Bluegill catches remain very low in surveys as Bad Medicine Lake lacks spawning habitat for Bluegill. Other species sampled in this assessment include Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco) and White Sucker. Although sampled in low numbers in previous surveys, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were not found in 2022 survey.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Bad Medicine Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Bad Medicine Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Bad Medicine Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Bad Medicine Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bass Lake · 204 ac · 1.5 mi
- Juggler Lake · 429 ac · 2.9 mi
- Pickerel Lake · 143 ac · 3.5 mi
- Long Lost Lake · 539 ac · 4.6 mi
- Cox Lake · 61 ac · 4.7 mi
- Boot Lake · 385 ac · 7.1 mi
- Elbow Lake · 995 ac · 7.1 mi
- Many Point Lake · 1,701 ac · 7.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Bad Medicine Lake?
Bad Medicine Lake reaches 84 ft at its deepest point; about 36% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Bad Medicine Lake?
Bad Medicine Lake covers 803 acres with about 12.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Bad Medicine Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Bad Medicine Lake average 21.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Bad Medicine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rainbow trout, rock bass.
Is Bad Medicine Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked rainbow trout in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Bad Medicine Lake have a public access?
Yes. Bad Medicine Lake has one public access site: Bad Medicine Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Bad Medicine Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Bad Medicine Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Bad Medicine Lake in 2022, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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