Minnesota · Hennepin County
Bde Maka Ska Lake Fishing guide
Bde Maka Ska Lake is a 424-acre lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, reaching 82 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 11.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers1.6per gill net20"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2020Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2019Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 17 fish
2014Northern pikeGood numbers10.5per gill net21"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 91 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 91 fish
2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2020Lengths measured · 164 fish
2019Lengths measured · 51 fish
2014Present and managed by the DNR. Standard survey gear does not count this species reliably.
BluegillGood numbers58.1per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 634 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 634 fish
2024Lengths measured · 175 fish
2020Lengths measured · 721 fish
2019Lengths measured · 921 fish
2014CrappieLast stocked 2024Just a few8.4per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 80 fish
2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2020Lengths measured · 56 fish
2019Lengths measured · 55 fish
2014Yellow perchFair numbers2.9per gill net5"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 23 fish
2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2020Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2019Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2014Last recorded in the 2009 survey and not seen since.
No recent survey rating.
Rates 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 Bde Maka Ska Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 11.7 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 82 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.7 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 82 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.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32" | 26" | 9" |
| 2020 | 26" | 19" | — |
| 2019 | 34" | 21" | 20" |
| 2014 | 31" | 26" | 14" |
| 2009 | 30" | 23" | 18" |
| 2005 | 31" | 25" | 16" |
| 2003 | 35" | 24" | 12" |
| 2000 | 32" | 25" | 11" |
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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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
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 | Muskellunge | 123 fingerlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,663 yearlings |
| 2024 | Black Crappie | 496 adults |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 123 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,877 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 123 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,091 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Least Darter | 85 adults |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 123 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,754 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 123 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Least Darter | 86 adults |
Stocking records before 2017 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Bde Maka Ska is a 419-acre (123 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 82 feet. Bde Maka Ska is located in south Minneapolis in eastern Hennepin County. Bde Maka Ska is primarily managed for Walleye (fingerling stocked in odd-numbered years) and Muskellunge (fingerling stocked during even-numbered years) but includes catchable populations of Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Public water access is provided by the City of Minneapolis on the northeast side of the lake off West Lake Street and Bde Maka Ska Pkwy (limited vehicle/trailer parking is available).
A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/8 gill nets) was conducted on Bde Maka Ska during the week of 6/24/2024 to monitor water quality and fish populations. Water clarity was moderate with a measured Secchi reading of 8 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen fell below 2 parts per million (ppm) below 44 feet, meaning fish would be unlikely to use water depths greater than 44 feet during mid-summer. Zebra Mussels and Eurasian Watermilfoil have been documented in Bde Maka Ska and remain present.
Read the full DNR narrative
Low numbers of Walleye were sampled with gill nets (1.6/net), near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. Average length of Walleye sampled in gill nets was 18.7 inches with the largest measured at 26.3 inches. Despite no natural reproduction, stocking has maintained a balanced population (a middle ground between high numbers of small fish and low numbers of large fish). Results from the 2024 survey sampled Walleye from the previous seven stocking events, including 1- and 15-year-old fish. Walleye growth in Bde Maka Ska was fast compared to similar lakes across the metro, indicated by an average length of 17.6 inches by age 3. Although numbers are not high, these fish are surviving their initial stocking, growing fast, and living to old ages.
High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (10.5/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 84 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets in 2024, with an average size of 22.5 inches and the largest measured at 32.8 inches. Despite high numbers and small sizes, Bde Maka Ska provides excellent harvest opportunity with a possession limit of 10 and nearly 75% of sampled fish falling outside of the protected slot (22 to 26 inches). Despite an excellent opportunity for harvest, anglers should check the latest fish consumption guidelines (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/fish/index.html).
High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (58.1/net), near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 523 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 5.6 inches and the largest measured at 8.1 inches. Less than 20% of the total catch were greater than 7 inches. Although harvestable sized Bluegill (7"+) are present in Bde Maka Ska, anglers should be prepared to sort through many small fish along the way.
Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with trap nets (8.4/net) near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 76 Black Crappie sampled during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 8.0 inches and the largest measured at 11.9 inches. While the majority (90%) of Black Crappie sampled measured less than 9 inches, the presence of fish greater than 11 inches is an encouraging sign for the fishery.
Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Bde Maka Ska Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Bde Maka Ska 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
- Bde Maka Ska (trailer launch)
- Calhoun Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Calhoun Shore Fishing Site (shore fishing)
- Calhoun Shore Fishing Site (shore fishing)
DNR bathymetry
Bde Maka Ska Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lake of the Isles · 114 ac · 1 mi
- Cedar Lake · 164 ac · 1.3 mi
- Harriet Lake · 341 ac · 1.4 mi
- Wolfe Park Lake · 3 ac · 1.7 mi
- Loring Lake · 7 ac · 2.3 mi
- Powderhorn Lake · 11 ac · 2.6 mi
- Wirth Lake · 40 ac · 2.8 mi
- Hiawatha Lake · 53 ac · 4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Bde Maka Ska Lake?
Bde Maka Ska Lake reaches 82 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 30 ft; about 29% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Bde Maka Ska Lake?
Bde Maka Ska Lake covers 424 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Bde Maka Ska Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Bde Maka Ska Lake average 11.7 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Bde Maka Ska Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, channel catfish.
Is Bde Maka Ska Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Bde Maka Ska Lake have a public access?
Yes. Bde Maka Ska Lake has 4 public access sites, including Bde Maka Ska (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Bde Maka Ska Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 32"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2000.
When was Bde Maka Ska Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Bde Maka Ska Lake in 2024, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Bde Maka Ska Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Bde Maka Ska Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report