Minnesota · Big Stone County
East Toqua Lake Fishing guide
East Toqua Lake covers 437 acres in Big Stone County, Minnesota, reaching 9 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 1.9 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, northern pike, bluegill and crappie in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Present, stocked9.4per trap net13"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 102 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 102 fish
2023Lengths measured · 47 fish
2020Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019Lengths measured · 138 fish
2017CrappieLast stocked 2024Just a few1.4per trap net2"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 433 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 598 fish
2020Lengths measured · 226 fish
2019Lengths measured · 433 fish
2017Lengths measured · 46 fish
2014Yellow perchLast stocked 2023Present, stocked0.9per trap net3"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 2192 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 2192 fish
2023Lengths measured · 595 fish
2020Lengths measured · 21 fish
2019Lengths measured · 139 fish
2017No recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
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 East Toqua Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 1.9 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 100% 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. A 9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 1.9 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops. A 9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Crappie |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24" | 16" | — |
| 2020 | 21" | — | 12" |
| 2019 | 16" | — | 12" |
| 2017 | 27" | 38" | 12" |
| 2014 | 22" | 26" | 12" |
| 2010 | 22" | 33" | 11" |
| 2007 | 19" | 25" | 12" |
| 2004 | 26" | 37" | 11" |
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 · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Crappie · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
Crappie · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
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 | 200,000 fry |
| 2024 | Black Crappie | 97 adults |
| 2024 | Northern Pike | 230 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 200,000 fry · 6,139 fingerlings · 174 yearlings · 3,464 adults |
| 2023 | Yellow Perch | 850 adults |
| 2022 | Northern Pike | 362 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2021 | Northern Pike | 150 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 200,000 fry · 1,023 yearlings · 29 adults |
| 2018 | Northern Pike | 360 adults |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
East Toqua Lake borders Graceville in west-central Minnesota. It is 428 acres and has a maximum depth of nine feet. The lake is highly productive and water clarity is often low. Toqua County Park is located along the south shoreline and it provides a boat launch, fishing pier, shore angling, picnicking and camping. Toqua Lake is managed primarily for walleyes, with secondary emphasis on black crappies, northern pike and yellow perch.
An extensive winterkill occurred during 2022-2023 which eliminated gamefish from the lake. Adult walleyes, walleye fry and adult yellow perch were stocked in spring of 2023. Black crappies will be stocked when they become available.
Read the full DNR narrative
This Targeted Survey used trap nets and seining to evaluate the stockings. Results indicated good survival of stocked walleye fry and adults. High numbers of naturally reproduced young-of-year yellow perch were also found. Fish typically grow fast in East Toqua Lake and a good fishery is expected to result within two years. Adequate numbers of adult walleyes were stocked to provide an immediate limited fishery. Other fish caught included bigmouth buffalo, black bullheads, common carp, fathead minnows, northern pike, quillback and white suckers.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
East Toqua Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on East Toqua 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
- East Toqua Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- East Toqua Lake, North (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
East Toqua Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lannon Lake · 197 ac · 1.1 mi
- Lone Tree Slough Lake · 90 ac · 3.2 mi
- Swenson Lake · 204 ac · 11 mi
- Big Stone Lake · 11,984 ac · 13.1 mi
- Traverse Lake · 10,849 ac · 16.9 mi
- Long Tom Lake · 147 ac · 17 mi
- Lake Hattie · 459 ac · 18 mi
- Mud Lake · 2,449 ac · 18.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is East Toqua Lake?
East Toqua Lake reaches 9 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 6 ft; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is East Toqua Lake?
East Toqua Lake covers 437 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in East Toqua Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on East Toqua Lake average 1.9 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in East Toqua Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, white bass.
Is East Toqua Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does East Toqua Lake have a public access?
Yes. East Toqua Lake has 2 public access sites, including East Toqua Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in East Toqua 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 2004.
When was East Toqua Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed East Toqua Lake in 2023, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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