Minnesota · St. Louis County
Burntside Lake Fishing guide
Burntside Lake is a 7,314-acre lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, reaching 126 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 18.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers3.3per gill net17"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 81 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 35 fish
2024Lengths measured · 46 fish
2021Lengths measured · 66 fish
2015Lengths measured · 70 fish
2011Smallmouth bassPresent1.4per gill net14"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 43 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2024Lengths measured · 17 fish
2021Lengths measured · 45 fish
2015Lengths measured · 33 fish
2011Northern pikeJust a few2.8per gill net22"Typical40"Biggest
Lengths measured · 75 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 43 fish
2024Lengths measured · 32 fish
2021Lengths measured · 32 fish
2015Lengths measured · 19 fish
2011BluegillJust a few5.3per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 80 fish
2024Lengths measured · 171 fish
2015Lengths measured · 2 fish
2011Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2007Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappieJust a few0.5per trap net9"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2015Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2011Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2007Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchJust a few0.9per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 22 fish
2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 14 fish
2015Lengths measured · 12 fish
2011Lake troutPresentPresent in recent DNR surveys.
Present in recent DNR surveys.
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 12 fish
2021Lengths measured · 14 fish
2018Lengths measured · 22 fish
2015Rock bassExcellent numbers2.6per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 129 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 85 fish
2024Lengths measured · 44 fish
2021Lengths measured · 255 fish
2015Lengths measured · 96 fish
2011Rates 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 Burntside Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 18.1 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 126 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 18.1 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 126 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23" | 20" | 32" |
| 2021 | 26" | 19" | 40" |
| 2015 | 28" | 19" | 37" |
| 2011 | 27" | 20" | 32" |
| 2007 | 29" | 18" | 33" |
| 2005 | — | — | 30" |
| 2003 | 27" | 19" | 35" |
| 1999 | 26" | 20" | 44" |
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 · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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 | 700,000 fry · 26,588 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 41,440 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 17,012 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 22,170 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 39,948 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Burntside Lake on August 20th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (lake Whitefish and Cisco, also known as Tulibee are present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 124.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 43.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 113.0 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 69.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.7 degrees C (40.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2011 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Burntside Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Burntside 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.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Burntside Lake fishing reports → · St. Louis County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Burntside Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Burntside Lake (NE) (trailer launch)
- Burntside Lake (S) (trailer launch)
- Burntside Lake, Co Rd 404 (trailer launch)
- Burntside Lake, Co Rd 88 (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Burntside Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Chant Lake · 16 ac · 0.9 mi
- Shipman Bass Lake · 37 ac · 1.7 mi
- West Twin Lake · 80 ac · 2.4 mi
- Minister Lake · 56 ac · 3 mi
- East Twin Lake · 123 ac · 3.2 mi
- Hanson Lake · 19 ac · 3.2 mi
- Crab Lake · 420 ac · 3.6 mi
- Little Long Lake · 322 ac · 4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Burntside Lake?
Burntside Lake reaches 126 ft at its deepest point; about 20% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Burntside Lake?
Burntside Lake covers 7,314 acres with about 103.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Burntside Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Burntside Lake average 18.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Burntside Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Burntside Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Burntside Lake have a public access?
Yes. Burntside Lake has 5 public access sites, including Burntside Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Burntside Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.
When was Burntside Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Burntside Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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