Minnesota · Hubbard County
Blue Lake Fishing guide
Blue Lake covers 336 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 84 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 15.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024One of the best around13.8per gill net13"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 125 fish
2024Lengths measured · 114 fish
2019Lengths measured · 99 fish
2014Lengths measured · 137 fish
2009Largemouth bassPresent4.1per gill net12"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 44 fish
2024Lengths measured · 17 fish
2019Lengths measured · 10 fish
2014Lengths measured · 14 fish
2009No recent survey rating.
BluegillJust a few24.9per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 253 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 253 fish
2024Lengths measured · 179 fish
2019Lengths measured · 321 fish
2014Lengths measured · 158 fish
2009CrappieJust a few1.3per trap net9"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2019Lengths measured · 6 fish
2014Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2009Yellow perchFair numbers1.4per gill net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2019Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 51 fish
2014Lengths measured · 58 fish
2009Present and managed by the DNR. Standard survey gear does not count this species reliably.
Rock bassOne of the best around19.2per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 204 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 204 fish
2024Lengths measured · 96 fish
2019Lengths measured · 228 fish
2014Lengths measured · 158 fish
2009Rates 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 Blue Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 15.6 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 15.6 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 84 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
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 | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30" | 17" | 15" |
| 2019 | 31" | 16" | 14" |
| 2014 | 30" | 12" | 10" |
| 2009 | 32" | 15" | 16" |
| 2004 | 31" | 15" | 14" |
| 1999 | 30" | 11" | — |
| 1994 | 30" | 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:
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
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
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 | Rainbow Trout | 4,865 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,098 fingerlings · 12 yearlings |
| 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,864 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,360 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,934 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,379 yearlings |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,863 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,734 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,862 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 32 fingerlings · 395 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Blue Lake on August 7th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 80.0 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 22.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 36.9 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 14.9 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 8.2 degrees C (46.8 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 6 years, between 2009-2024, also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2016 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 9.9 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Blue Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Blue 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
- Blue Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Blue Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Pickerel Lake · 310 ac · 1.5 mi
- Big Sand Lake · 1,639 ac · 2.3 mi
- Potato Lake · 2,096 ac · 2.5 mi
- Emma Lake · 78 ac · 2.7 mi
- Lower Bottle Lake · 641 ac · 2.7 mi
- Loon Lake · 82 ac · 2.9 mi
- Stocking Lake · 102 ac · 3.1 mi
- Ida Lake · 75 ac · 3.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Blue Lake?
Blue Lake reaches 84 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 44 ft; about 24% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Blue Lake?
Blue Lake covers 336 acres with about 3.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Blue Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Blue Lake average 15.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Blue Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rainbow trout, rock bass.
Is Blue Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked rainbow trout and walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Blue Lake have a public access?
Yes. Blue Lake has one public access site: Blue Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Blue Lake?
The biggest walleye 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 Blue Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Blue Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 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 Blue Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Blue Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report