Minnesota · Cass County
Child Lake Fishing guide
Child Lake sits in Cass County, Minnesota, and covers 285 acres, reaching 29 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 10.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers8.7per gill net18"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 55 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 46 fish
2020Lengths measured · 106 fish
2013BluegillJust a few8.2per trap net4"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 201 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 144 fish
2024Lengths measured · 57 fish
2021Lengths measured · 26 fish
2020Lengths measured · 86 fish
2013CrappieJust a few0.1per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2021Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 34 fish
2020Lengths measured · 2 fish
2013Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchFair numbers3.2per gill net5"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 22 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2021Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2020Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 46 fish
2013Rates 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 Child Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 10.6 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.
- 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 10.6 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.
- 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 | 36" | 17" | 16" |
| 2021 | 27" | — | 12" |
| 2020 | 31" | 21" | 13" |
| 2017 | — | — | 17" |
| 2013 | 33" | 18" | 15" |
| 2008 | 32" | 21" | 20" |
| 2003 | 34" | 28" | 20" |
| 1998 | 35" | 23" | 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:
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
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 | Walleye | 79,980 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 80,910 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 79,650 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 79,605 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 79,500 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 80,240 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 79,355 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 79,650 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 80,215 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Child Lake (DOW # 11-0263; Lake Class 31) is a 285-acre lake with 158 littoral acres, 4.56 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 29 feet located near Hackensack, MN. There is a primitive, user-developed earthen access on state-owned land on the south shore off Cass County Highway 5. Child Lake is also accessible from Woman Lake through the Boy River. The Boy River connects Child Lake to Little Woman, Woman, and Girl lakes. There are no barriers to fish movement between Child, Little Woman, Woman, and Girl lakes. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Child Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear and productive with moderate depth. Other Class 31 lakes in the Walker area include Little Webb (DOW# 11-0387), May (DOW# 11-0482), Ox Yoke (11-0355) and Welsh (DOW# 11-0493). The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch and secondarily for Muskellunge, Tullibee (Cisco) and Walleye. A 24 to 36 inch protected slot limit was implemented in 2003 to improve the size structure of the Northern Pike population. A standard survey conducted in the summer of 2024.
Black Crappie were present in good numbers from the 2024 gill nets with fish from 5 to 12 inches present. Population goals are still being developed for Black Crappie in this lake. Bluegill were moderately abundant and ranged in length from 3 to 8 inches long. Population goals are still being developed for the Bluegill population in this lake. Low numbers of Largemouth Bass were sampled in this survey with fish from 11 to 17 inches. Management goals are based on spring electrofishing which was not conducted in 2024. Previous spring electrofishing surveys showed a moderately abundant Largemouth Bass population with fish over 16 inches long present in the lake. Northern Pike were moderately abundant. The Northern Pike gill net catch rate of eight fish per net was within the management goal of between five to 10 fish per net. Northern Pike averaged 19 inches long with fish up to 32 inches long in the sample. The proportion of Northern Pike greater than 24 inches long of 7% was below the management goal of 10% and the proportion of Northern Pike greater than 28 inches of 4% did not meet the management goal of 5%. Yellow Perch numbers have dropped from near 12 fish per gill net in 2008 to lower levels seen in recent surveys with three fish per gill net in 2024, which was below the management goal of five fish per net. Although none were sampled in 2024, Muskellunge could be encountered in Child Lake. Low numbers of Tullibee (Cisco) were sampled with fish from 15 to 19 inches present. Walleye are present in low numbers and were below management goals in 2024. Walleye gill net catch rates in Child Lake have never exceeded three fish per net and have not increased in response to Walleye fry stocking.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other species sampled were Bowfin (dogfish), Brown Bullhead, 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 the aquatic invasive species (AIS) that have been identified in Child Lake are the rusty crayfish and purple loosestrife. Zebra mussels, and Eurasian Watermilfoil are documented in downstream Woman and Girl Lake and could be spread throughout the Woman Lake chain. 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
Child Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Child 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
- Child Lake (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Child Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- McKeown Lake · 168 ac · 1.1 mi
- Baby Lake · 737 ac · 1.5 mi
- Man Lake · 491 ac · 1.6 mi
- Widow Lake · 198 ac · 2 mi
- Kid Lake · 168 ac · 2 mi
- Barnum Lake · 151 ac · 2.4 mi
- Trillium Lake · 156 ac · 2.5 mi
- Sand Lake · 41 ac · 2.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Child Lake?
Child Lake reaches 29 ft at its deepest point; about 55% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Child Lake?
Child Lake covers 285 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Child Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Child Lake average 10.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Child Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Child Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Child Lake have a public access?
Yes. Child Lake has one public access site: Child Lake (carry-in).
How big do northern pike get in Child Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 36"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Child Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Child Lake in 2024, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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