Minnesota · Itasca County
Cut Foot Sioux Lake Fishing guide
Cut Foot Sioux Lake sits in Itasca County, Minnesota, and covers 2,771 acres, reaching 78 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 12.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 30 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.1per gill net14"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 67 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2024Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 63 fish
2023Lengths measured · 70 fish
2017Lengths measured · 69 fish
2012Northern pikeFair numbers8.2per gill net20"Typical40"Biggest
Lengths measured · 145 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2024Lengths measured · 134 fish
2023Lengths measured · 152 fish
2017Lengths measured · 100 fish
2012Last recorded in the 2012 survey and not seen since.
BluegillJust a few6per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 455 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 277 fish
2025Lengths measured · 113 fish
2024Lengths measured · 65 fish
2023Lengths measured · 80 fish
2017CrappieJust a few1.3per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 108 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 66 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2024Lengths measured · 12 fish
2023Lengths measured · 66 fish
2017Yellow perchExcellent numbers22.1per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 413 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 63 fish
2024Lengths measured · 350 fish
2023Lengths measured · 628 fish
2017Lengths measured · 507 fish
2012Rock bassExcellent numbers2per seine haul7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 114 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2024Lengths measured · 94 fish
2023Lengths measured · 98 fish
2017Lengths measured · 55 fish
2012Rates 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 Cut Foot Sioux Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 12.2 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 78 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 12.2 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 78 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.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24" | 24" | 4" |
| 2023 | 24" | 40" | — |
| 2017 | 25" | 38" | 10" |
| 2012 | 24" | 35" | 5" |
| 2011 | 24" | 38" | 5" |
| 2010 | 23" | 35" | 5" |
| 2009 | 23" | 34" | — |
| 2008 | 27" | 34" | — |
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
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
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 | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 993,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 993,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 993,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 993,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 993,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 993,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 6,534,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Black Crappie were collected as part of a broad research project investigating populations across Minnesota. Springtime trap net surveys collected a sample of 66 fish. Individuals averaged 10.3 inches with the largest being 13.1 inches. Growth was rapid and Black Crappie averaged 8.4 and 11.6 inches at age 3 and 6, respectively. Maximum age was 13.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Cut Foot Sioux Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Cut Foot Sioux 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
- Cut Foot Sioux Lake, #2 (trailer launch)
- Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Deer Lake (trailer launch)
- Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Mosomo (trailer launch)
- Cut Foot Sioux Lake, S. McAvity Bay (trailer launch)
- Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Williams Narrows (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Cut Foot Sioux Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake · 619 ac · 1.8 mi
- Sunken Lake · 45 ac · 2.8 mi
- Little Winnibigoshish Lake · 1,002 ac · 6.5 mi
- Little Ball Club Lake · 185 ac · 6.8 mi
- Portage Lake · 715 ac · 6.9 mi
- Winnibigoshish Lake · 56,471 ac · 7.5 mi
- Sand Lake · 3,579 ac · 7.9 mi
- Bowstring Lake · 9,528 ac · 7.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Cut Foot Sioux Lake?
Cut Foot Sioux Lake reaches 78 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 24 ft; about 48% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Cut Foot Sioux Lake?
Cut Foot Sioux Lake covers 2,771 acres with about 27.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Cut Foot Sioux Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Cut Foot Sioux Lake average 12.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Cut Foot Sioux Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Cut Foot Sioux Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Cut Foot Sioux Lake have a public access?
Yes. Cut Foot Sioux Lake has 5 public access sites, including Cut Foot Sioux Lake, #2 (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Cut Foot Sioux Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2008.
When was Cut Foot Sioux Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Cut Foot Sioux Lake in 2025, the most recent of 30 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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