Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Edward Lake Fishing guide
Edward Lake covers 2,628 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 75 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 13.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 16 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 numbers8.7per gill net12"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 131 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 33 fish
2025Lengths measured · 36 fish
2024Lengths measured · 61 fish
2023Lengths measured · 131 fish
2023Largemouth bassPresent2.1per gill net12"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 32 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 32 fish
2023Lengths measured · 70 fish
2020Lengths measured · 366 fish
2014Lengths measured · 131 fish
2008No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeGood numbers11.8per gill net20"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 177 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 177 fish
2023Lengths measured · 84 fish
2020Lengths measured · 97 fish
2014Lengths measured · 235 fish
2008BluegillPresent5.1per gill net4"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 77 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 77 fish
2023Lengths measured · 461 fish
2020Lengths measured · 318 fish
2014Lengths measured · 205 fish
2008Yellow perchGood numbers11.1per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 166 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 166 fish
2023Lengths measured · 355 fish
2020Lengths measured · 18 fish
2014Lengths measured · 29 fish
2008Rock bassGood numbers2.3per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 35 fish
2023Lengths measured · 43 fish
2020Lengths measured · 90 fish
2014Lengths measured · 159 fish
2008Rates 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 Edward Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13.6 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 75 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 13.6 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 75 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15" | — | — |
| 2024 | 26" | — | — |
| 2023 | 27" | 34" | 14" |
| 2022 | 19" | — | — |
| 2021 | 24" | — | — |
| 2020 | 25" | 34" | 15" |
| 2014 | 30" | 28" | 18" |
| 2010 | 20" | — | — |
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 | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,000,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Edward is stocked annually with 2 million Walleye fry. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 22nd, 2025, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours, resulting in a YOY Walleye catch rate of 4.5 per hour. These fish ranged in size from 5.3 to 6.5 inches, with a mean length of 5.8 inches. Age 1 and older Walleyes were captured at a rate of 12.0 per hour. They ranged in size from 8.7 to 15.7 inches, with a mean length of 11.0 inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Edward Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Edward 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
- Edwards Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Edward Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bass Lake · 399 ac · 1.5 mi
- Silver Lake · 208 ac · 1.5 mi
- Fawn Lake · 121 ac · 2.6 mi
- Lougee Lake · 212 ac · 2.7 mi
- Lower Mission Lake · 732 ac · 3.4 mi
- Bonnie Lake · 76 ac · 3.5 mi
- Gladstone Lake · 437 ac · 4.2 mi
- Bass Lake · 285 ac · 4.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Edward Lake?
Edward Lake reaches 75 ft at its deepest point; about 46% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Edward Lake?
Edward Lake covers 2,628 acres with about 8.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Edward Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Edward Lake average 13.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Edward Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Edward Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Edward Lake have a public access?
Yes. Edward Lake has one public access site: Edwards Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Edward Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2010.
When was Edward Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Edward Lake in 2025, the most recent of 16 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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