Minnesota · Douglas County
Devils Lake Fishing guide
Devils Lake covers 234 acres in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 35 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 8.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.3per gill net16"Typical22"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 20 fish
2021Lengths measured · 32 fish
2015Lengths measured · 30 fish
2009Lengths measured · 22 fish
2005Largemouth bassGood numbers65.8per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 123 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 123 fish
2021Lengths measured · 113 fish
2015Lengths measured · 103 fish
2009Lengths measured · 88 fish
2005Northern pikeJust a few5.5per gill net18"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 34 fish
2021Lengths measured · 64 fish
2015Lengths measured · 49 fish
2009Lengths measured · 64 fish
2005BluegillJust a few11.9per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 131 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 131 fish
2021Lengths measured · 242 fish
2015Lengths measured · 210 fish
2009Lengths measured · 275 fish
2005CrappieJust a few1.3per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 19 fish
2021Lengths measured · 15 fish
2015Lengths measured · 24 fish
2009Lengths measured · 33 fish
2005Rates 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 Devils Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- 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. With 70% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
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. With 70% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 | Largemouth bass | Walleye | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20" | 22" | 32" |
| 2015 | 19" | 26" | 32" |
| 2009 | 17" | 27" | 29" |
| 2005 | 18" | 29" | 33" |
| 2001 | 18" | 27" | 26" |
| 1997 | 18" | 28" | 29" |
| 1993 | 19" | 28" | 35" |
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:
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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
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 | 4,920 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 82,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,920 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 82,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 82,000 fry |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,125 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 164,000 fry · 2,460 fingerlings · 2,460 yearlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 4,912 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Devils Lake is a small (234 acre), shallow basin located in northwestern Douglas County near Brandon, Minnesota. Water quality is high and aquatic vegetation is common. Water clarity was approximately 11.0 feet at the time of the July survey. One public access is located on the northern shoreline just off Devils Lake Road.
Walleye catch rates (3.3/gill net) exceed the statewide average of similar lakes (2.8/gill net). Average size was 16.8 inches and 1.7 pounds. The largest Walleye was 22.6 inches. Growth rates appear moderate, allowing younger Walleye to reach desirable lengths in three to four years. Northern Pike (5.5/gill net) remain abundant in Devils Lake. Over 70% of all surveyed pike were less than 21.0 inches in length. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the liberalized pike harvest regulation (anglers are able to keep up to 10 pike with no more than two fish longer than 26 inches; all fish from 22-26 inches must be released). Increased harvest may improve growth rates and average size of Northern Pike. Electrofishing efforts collected 91 Largemouth Bass in 2021. Average size was good (12.5 inches), with several individuals exceeding 18.0 inches. The largest bass surpassed 20.0 inches. Bluegill are common, but average length was modest (6.5 inches). Maximum length was 9.2 inches in 2021. Growth rates of Bluegill are moderate and likely approximate similar lakes in Minnesota. Seven-year-old Bluegill averaged 7.6 inches. Similar to previous surveys, Black Crappie are present, but not highly abundant (1.2/gill net). Individuals averaged 9.3 inches, with the largest exceeding 10.5 inches. Yellow Perch are not common in Devils Lake.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other species recorded in the 2021 lake survey included Common Carp, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed and Yellow bullhead. The next lake survey is scheduled for 2027.
Devils Lake is designated as infested with Zebra Mussels. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to other lakes.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Devils Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Devils 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
- Devils Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Devils Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Chippewa Lake · 271 ac · 1.1 mi
- Whiskey Lake · 160 ac · 1.2 mi
- Chippewa Lake · 1,186 ac · 2 mi
- Moon Lake · 139 ac · 2.6 mi
- Stowe Lake · 377 ac · 2.7 mi
- Lake Moses · 824 ac · 5 mi
- Indian Lake · 99 ac · 5.3 mi
- Long Lake · 202 ac · 5.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Devils Lake?
Devils Lake reaches 35 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 12 ft; about 70% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Devils Lake?
Devils Lake covers 234 acres with about 3.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Devils Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Devils Lake average 8.3 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Devils Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Devils Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Devils Lake have a public access?
Yes. Devils Lake has one public access site: Devils Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Devils Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 20"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Devils Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Devils Lake in 2021, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Devils Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Devils Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report