Minnesota · Becker County
Detroit Lake Fishing guide
Detroit Lake covers 3,067 acres in Becker County, Minnesota, reaching 89 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 9.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 21 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers8.3per gill net17"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 107 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 107 fish
2023Lengths measured · 141 fish
2019Lengths measured · 102 fish
2015Lengths measured · 107 fish
2011Largemouth bassJust a few5.6per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 46 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 46 fish
2023Lengths measured · 95 fish
2019Lengths measured · 25 fish
2015Lengths measured · 14 fish
2011Northern pikeFair numbers6.5per gill net18"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 86 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 86 fish
2023Lengths measured · 141 fish
2019Lengths measured · 124 fish
2015Lengths measured · 87 fish
2011MuskellungeLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 285 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 123 fish
2025Lengths measured · 72 fish
2024Lengths measured · 89 fish
2023Lengths measured · 1 fish
2023Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillFair numbers45.4per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1200 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 1200 fish
2023Lengths measured · 1028 fish
2019Lengths measured · 733 fish
2015Lengths measured · 717 fish
2011CrappieJust a few0.8per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 26 fish
2023Lengths measured · 123 fish
2019Lengths measured · 31 fish
2015Lengths measured · 113 fish
2011Yellow perchGood numbers12.4per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 151 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 151 fish
2023Lengths measured · 46 fish
2019Lengths measured · 175 fish
2015Lengths measured · 358 fish
2011Last recorded in the 1970 survey and not seen since.
Lake sturgeonLast stocked 2019Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 113 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 9 fish
2023Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 104 fish
2021Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2019Rock bassGood numbers2.6per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2023Lengths measured · 34 fish
2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2015Lengths measured · 8 fish
2011Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates 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 Detroit Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- 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 89 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.
- 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 89 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 29" | 28" | 19" |
| 2019 | 27" | 31" | 19" |
| 2015 | 27" | 31" | 18" |
| 2011 | 27" | 33" | 16" |
| 2007 | 28" | 33" | 18" |
| 2003 | 26" | 32" | 18" |
| 1999 | 26" | 33" | 17" |
| 1994 | 28" | 32" | 15" |
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 | Muskellunge | 3,000 fingerlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 10,410 fingerlings · 1,117 yearlings · 1,918 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 8,479 fingerlings · 7,707 yearlings · 196 adults |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | 3,000 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 28,776 fingerlings · 2,054 yearlings · 24 adults |
| 2022 | Walleye | 39,565 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 3,000 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,864 fingerlings · 11,193 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 12,200 yearlings · 405 adults |
| 2019 | Lake Sturgeon | 2,384 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 3,012 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 50,224 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2019 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
This assessment was conducted using large-frame trap nets set in spring to examine the sizes of mature Muskellunge in Detroit Lake. Muskellunge were first introduced into the lake in 1989, with directed Muskellunge surveys beginning on Detroit Lake in 1993. Sixteen surveys had been conducted prior to 2025. This assessment represents the third consecutive year of muskellunge sampling on Detroit Lake. This effort consisted of marking fish in year 2 (2024) using large-frame trap nets, followed by recapturing fish in year 3 (2025) again with large-frame trap nets. All Muskellunge sampled in Detroit Lake since 2019 have been marked with PIT tags.
Large frame trap nets captured 122 individual Muskellunge, for a catch rate of 0.71 fish per net. Thirty-six female and 86 male Muskellunge were captured. Muskellunge averaged 43.0 inches and ranged 33.7 to 54.8 inches in 2025. Female Muskellunge averaged 47.0 inches. Mean weight of all Muskellunge was 19.3 pounds.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data from 2024 and 2025 were used to estimate the number of adult Muskellunge in Detroit Lake in 2024. The number of adult Muskellunge was estimated to be 402 individuals, or 0.13 fish per surface acre. The last time this kind of estimate was completed on Detroit Lake was in 2023. Remarkably, the density estimate calculated then was also 0.13 fish per surface acre. These estimates are within the range of other Minnesota waters where similar surveys have been conducted, and will be used to guide future management decisions in Detroit Lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Detroit Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Detroit 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
- Detroit Lake (NW) (trailer launch)
- Detroit Lake (S) (trailer launch)
- Detroit Lake-North (trailer launch)
- Detroit Lake (NE) (carry-in)
- Detroit Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Detroit Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Muskrat Lake · 69 ac · 1.9 mi
- Munson Lake · 134 ac · 2.8 mi
- Sallie Lake · 1,280 ac · 2.9 mi
- Meadow Lake · 71 ac · 2.9 mi
- Long Lake · 415 ac · 3.5 mi
- Johnson Lake · 183 ac · 3.8 mi
- Melissa Lake · 1,850 ac · 4.5 mi
- Pearl Lake · 280 ac · 4.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Detroit Lake?
Detroit Lake reaches 89 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 14.8 ft; about 62% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Detroit Lake?
Detroit Lake covers 3,067 acres with about 12.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Detroit Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Detroit Lake average 9.9 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Detroit Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, brown trout, lake sturgeon, rock bass.
Is Detroit Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2019.
Does Detroit Lake have a public access?
Yes. Detroit Lake has 5 public access sites, including Detroit Lake (NW) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Detroit Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Detroit Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Detroit Lake in 2025, the most recent of 21 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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