Minnesota · Hubbard County
Evergreen Lake Fishing guide
Evergreen Lake covers 213 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 38 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 16.3 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
Northern pikeOne of the best around26.8per gill net19"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 196 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2024Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 188 fish
2023Lengths measured · 116 fish
2018Lengths measured · 181 fish
2013BluegillJust a few3.4per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 63 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2024Lengths measured · 47 fish
2023Lengths measured · 221 fish
2018Lengths measured · 190 fish
2013CrappieJust a few1.9per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 36 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 35 fish
2023Lengths measured · 14 fish
2018Lengths measured · 47 fish
2013Yellow perchExcellent numbers21.7per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 296 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 17 fish
2024Lengths measured · 279 fish
2023Lengths measured · 188 fish
2018Lengths measured · 127 fish
2013Rock bassOne of the best around3per seine haul7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 3 fish
2024Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2023Lengths measured · 9 fish
2018Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 37 fish
2013Rates 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 Evergreen Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 16.3 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.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 16.3 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.
- 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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23" | — | 5" |
| 2023 | 35" | 21" | — |
| 2018 | 34" | 19" | 19" |
| 2013 | 31" | 21" | 18" |
| 2008 | 30" | 23" | 16" |
| 2003 | 30" | 26" | 4" |
| 1998 | 38" | 24" | — |
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:
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
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 442 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,110 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 45 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 307 fingerlings · 159 yearlings · 68 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 163 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 239 fingerlings · 148 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Evergreen Lake was conducted on July 22nd-23rd, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due soft sediments and thick vegetation. Similarly, a boat assisted 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations, a 15-foot seine was used at six stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-one species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured nine species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Yellow Perch comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Northern Pike comprised a majority by biomass; however, catches were light.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a May 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Evergreen Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Evergreen Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River- Headwaters Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Evergreen Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Evergreen Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Evergreen 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
- Evergreen Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Evergreen Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Twenty Lake · 41 ac · 1.9 mi
- Hattie Lake · 359 ac · 2.9 mi
- Hennepin Lake · 418 ac · 3.2 mi
- Frontenac Lake · 210 ac · 3.2 mi
- Minnie Lake · 75 ac · 3.9 mi
- Spearhead Lake · 194 ac · 5.5 mi
- Alice Lake · 127 ac · 6.3 mi
- Newman Lake · 45 ac · 6.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Evergreen Lake?
Evergreen Lake reaches 38 ft at its deepest point; about 41% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Evergreen Lake?
Evergreen Lake covers 213 acres with about 3.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Evergreen Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Evergreen Lake average 16.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Evergreen Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Evergreen Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Evergreen Lake have a public access?
Yes. Evergreen Lake has one public access site: Evergreen Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Evergreen Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 35"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Evergreen Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Evergreen Lake in 2024, the most recent of 11 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 Evergreen Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Evergreen Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report