Minnesota · Itasca County
Bluewater Lake Fishing guide
Bluewater Lake sits in Itasca County, Minnesota, and covers 364 acres, reaching 120 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 17.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
BluegillJust a few17.4per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 157 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 157 fish
2024Lengths measured · 95 fish
2015Lengths measured · 77 fish
2007Yellow perchPresent4.9per seine haul7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2024Lengths measured · 3 fish
2017Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2015Lengths measured · 1 fish
2009Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lake troutLast stocked 2017Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 20 fish
2022Lengths measured · 21 fish
2017Lengths measured · 17 fish
2015Lengths measured · 33 fish
2009Rock bassExcellent numbers2.2per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2015Lengths measured · 4 fish
2009Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 49 fish
2007Rates 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 Bluewater Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 17.5 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 120 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 17.5 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 120 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" | 11" | — |
| 2022 | — | 18" | 20" |
| 2017 | — | 19" | — |
| 2015 | 27" | 13" | 18" |
| 2009 | — | 11" | 18" |
| 2007 | 22" | 14" | 19" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Lake Trout | 1,990 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Bluewater Lake was conducted beginning on July 16th, 2024 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used at two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Mimic Shiner, Northern Sunfish, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted beginning on July 16th, 2024 by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill and Hybrid Sunfish comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and biomass. The number of Bluegill and Black Crappie sampled per net was below the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 23 lakes. Conversely, the mean weight of Black Crappie sampled per net was above the 50% quartile for Lake Class 23 lakes.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from an August 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Mimic Shiner, Northern Sunfish, and Pugnose Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. An additional survey was completed on Bluewater Lake in July 2015 resulting in a high, but similar FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Fisheries IBI program staff also conducted a survey of lakeshore habitat on Bluewater Lake on July 18th 2024, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The survey consisted of 37 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 78.4 (±3.4) out of 100 possible, which indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Moderate (70-79.9). Approximately 59 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 64.9 (±3.3) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 98.2 (±1.0) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.
Data from this survey indicates Bluewater Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Bluewater Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Bluewater Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Bluewater 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
- Public access: Access through outlet from Wabana Lake.
- US Forest Service access: Portage from Trout Lake to northwest corner of lake west of Bible Camp.
DNR bathymetry
Bluewater Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Trout Lake · 86 ac · 1.3 mi
- Wabana Lake · 2,221 ac · 1.4 mi
- Pughole Lake · 158 ac · 1.7 mi
- Johnson Lake · 434 ac · 2.2 mi
- Trout Lake · 1,743 ac · 2.7 mi
- Long Lake · 46 ac · 2.8 mi
- Lucky Lake · 14 ac · 2.9 mi
- Island Lake · 67 ac · 3.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Bluewater Lake?
Bluewater Lake reaches 120 ft at its deepest point; about 20% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Bluewater Lake?
Bluewater Lake covers 364 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Bluewater Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Bluewater Lake average 17.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Bluewater Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Bluewater Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked lake trout in 2017.
Does Bluewater Lake have a public access?
Yes. Bluewater Lake has 2 public access sites, including a Public access (Access through outlet from Wabana Lake.).
How big do walleye get in Bluewater 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 2007.
When was Bluewater Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Bluewater Lake in 2024, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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