Minnesota · Cass County
Birch Lake Fishing guide
Birch Lake covers 1,267 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 45 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers1.8per gill net19"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 26 fish
2023Lengths measured · 39 fish
2018Lengths measured · 43 fish
2013Lengths measured · 50 fish
2008Largemouth bassPresent1per gill net12"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 19 fish
2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2018Lengths measured · 20 fish
2013Lengths measured · 23 fish
2008Northern pikeGood numbers13.8per gill net16"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 177 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 177 fish
2023Lengths measured · 204 fish
2018Lengths measured · 165 fish
2013Lengths measured · 161 fish
2008BluegillJust a few12.3per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 230 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 230 fish
2023Lengths measured · 213 fish
2018Lengths measured · 278 fish
2013Lengths measured · 323 fish
2008CrappieJust a few0.8per trap net6"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 59 fish
2023Lengths measured · 41 fish
2018Lengths measured · 18 fish
2013Lengths measured · 47 fish
2008Rock bassExcellent numbers1.5per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 20 fish
2023Lengths measured · 16 fish
2018Lengths measured · 13 fish
2013Lengths measured · 15 fish
2008Rates 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 Birch Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 12.9 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 45 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 12.9 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 45 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30" | 23" | 15" |
| 2018 | 33" | 27" | 16" |
| 2013 | 30" | 29" | 19" |
| 2008 | 31" | 28" | 15" |
| 2003 | 31" | 29" | 17" |
| 1997 | 27" | 28" | 17" |
| 1994 | 29" | 29" | 13" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 168 fingerlings · 1,857 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 15,165 fingerlings · 850 yearlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 15,033 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 6,875 fingerlings · 96 yearlings · 4 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 21,986 fingerlings · 19 yearlings · 583 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Birch Lake is a 1,267-acre lake with 15 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 45 feet located in Hackensack, MN. A City of Hackensack) owned public access is located on the east shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Birch Lake is in Lake Class 25. Other area lakes in this class include Boy, Girl, Hand, Inguadona, Long, and Swift Lakes. Birch Lake possesses a highly developed shoreline. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye and secondarily for Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch.
Walleye abundance did not meet the long-range management for the first time since 2003. Walleye lengths ranged from 11 to 23 inches with a mean length of 19 inches. Northern Pike are abundant, exceeding the maximum management goal in every survey since 2003. Sampled pike ranged in length from 9 to 31 inches with a mean length of 17 inches. Black Crappie were abundant, and lengths ranged from 4 to 13 inches with a mean length of 7 inches. Bluegill abundance was similar to recent surveys but below management goals. Bluegill size exceeded management goals and fish up to 9 inches were sampled. Largemouth ranged in length from 9 to 16 inches with a mean length of 13 inches. Yellow Perch abundance fell to a historic low, well below management goals.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other fish sampled in Birch Lake included, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Birch Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Birch Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Birch 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
- Birch Lake (trailer launch)
- Birch Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Birch Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Ten Mile Lake · 5,080 ac · 2.8 mi
- Stony Lake · 563 ac · 3.3 mi
- Pleasant Lake · 1,099 ac · 3.8 mi
- Variety Lake · 160 ac · 4.4 mi
- Beuber Lake · 132 ac · 4.9 mi
- Portage Lake · 277 ac · 4.9 mi
- Crystal Lake · 190 ac · 5.1 mi
- Little Bass Lake · 114 ac · 5.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Birch Lake?
Birch Lake reaches 45 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 10 ft; about 60% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Birch Lake?
Birch Lake covers 1,267 acres with about 15.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Birch Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Birch Lake average 12.9 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Birch Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Birch Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Birch Lake have a public access?
Yes. Birch Lake has 2 public access sites, including Birch Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Birch Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 30"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Birch Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Birch Lake in 2023, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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