Minnesota · Stearns County
Eden Lake Fishing guide
Eden Lake covers 278 acres in Stearns County, Minnesota, reaching 77 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 6.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers8.5per gill net17"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 50 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 50 fish
2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2018Lengths measured · 3 fish
2017Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2015Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeGood numbers11.5per gill net22"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 69 fish
2024Lengths measured · 56 fish
2018Lengths measured · 53 fish
2013Lengths measured · 45 fish
2003BluegillPresent3.2per gill net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 19 fish
2024Lengths measured · 372 fish
2018Lengths measured · 317 fish
2013Lengths measured · 275 fish
2003CrappiePresent50.3per gill net4"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 302 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 302 fish
2024Lengths measured · 62 fish
2018Lengths measured · 38 fish
2013Lengths measured · 335 fish
2003Yellow perchExcellent numbers18.5per gill net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 111 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 111 fish
2024Lengths measured · 206 fish
2018Lengths measured · 185 fish
2013Lengths measured · 1527 fish
2003Channel catfishGood numbers1.8per gill net29"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2018Lengths measured · 11 fish
2018Lengths measured · 1 fish
2013Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2003Only 1 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 Eden 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 77 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 77 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 | 26" | 29" | 19" |
| 2018 | 26" | 38" | 19" |
| 2017 | 13" | — | — |
| 2015 | 10" | — | — |
| 2013 | 25" | 34" | 18" |
| 2003 | 23" | 37" | 17" |
| 1995 | 26" | 33" | — |
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 · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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 | 6,590 fingerlings · 50 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,630 fingerlings · 364 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,400 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 124,000 fry · 4,000 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 4,000 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 124,000 fry · 5,000 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,125 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 124,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,660 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Eden Lake is located in south-central Stearns County, north of Eden Valley. It is the second in a series of lakes that outlet north to join the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. A large, mostly agricultural watershed (over 24,000 acres) drains into Eden Lake. The resulting nutrient load has resulted in impaired water quality, nuisance algal blooms, and occasional winterkills.
Eden Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. The catch of Northern Pike in 2024 was similar to 2018 and exceeded the range of expected values for lakes similar to Eden Lake. Northern Pike ranged in length from 17.9 to 29.9 inches with an average length and weight of 23.5 inches and 3.0 pounds. Twenty-nine percent of Northern Pike sampled were longer than 26 inches.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Walleye population has been supported by fry stocking since 2001, as well as annual fingerling stocking by the Eden Valley Sportsmen's Club (2013 -present). The Walleye catch in 2024 increased from 2018 and was over two times the management goal. Walleye ranged in length from 9.5 to 26.1 inches with an average length and weight of 17.4 inches and 2.0 pounds. Seventy-six percent of the walleye sampled in the 2024 survey came from the 2019, 2020, or 2021 year classes.
Eden Lake has historically supported a high population of Yellow Perch. Yellow Perch catch rates in 2024 were lower than previous surveys and the lowest on record but remain within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Eden. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 4.9 to 8.4 inches with an average length of 6.0 inches. Yellow Perch do not appear to reach a size favored by most anglers, but they provide an abundant source of forage for large predators.
The Black Crappie catch increased significantly from 2018 and was above the range of what is expected for lakes like Eden. Black Crappie sampled ranged in length from 3.9 to 11.3 inches with an average length of 5.2 inches. Most Black Crappie captured were under 5.0 inches in length, indicating a strong year class that will be seen in harvestable sizes in coming years.
Other fish species sampled included: Black Bullhead, Bluegill, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed. No Channel Catfish were sampled in 2024.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Eden Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Eden 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
- Eden Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Eden Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Vails Lake · 161 ac · 1 mi
- North Brown's Lake · 312 ac · 2.4 mi
- Long Lake · 487 ac · 3.3 mi
- Rice Lake · 1,513 ac · 4.9 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 629 ac · 5.2 mi
- Cedar Island Lake · 986 ac · 5.5 mi
- Big Lake · 458 ac · 5.7 mi
- Zumwalde Lake · 128 ac · 6.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Eden Lake?
Eden Lake reaches 77 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 18.6 ft; about 45% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Eden Lake?
Eden Lake covers 278 acres with about 2.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Eden Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Eden Lake average 6.3 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Eden Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Eden Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Eden Lake have a public access?
Yes. Eden Lake has one public access site: Eden Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Eden Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Eden Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Eden Lake in 2024, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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