Minnesota · Clay County
Fifteen Lake Fishing guide
Fifteen Lake is a 154-acre lake in Clay County, Minnesota, reaching 24 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 10 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassJust a few18.3per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 35 fish
2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2014Lengths measured · 9 fish
2004Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeExcellent numbers15per gill net19"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 98 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 98 fish
2024Lengths measured · 70 fish
2019Lengths measured · 84 fish
2014Lengths measured · 34 fish
2009BluegillJust a few18.1per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 208 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 208 fish
2024Lengths measured · 381 fish
2019Lengths measured · 479 fish
2014Lengths measured · 400 fish
2009Rates 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 Fifteen Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 10 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. With 64% 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.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10 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. With 64% 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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 37" | 25" | 20" |
| 2019 | 34" | 25" | 15" |
| 2014 | 31" | 26" | 15" |
| 2009 | 29" | 27" | — |
| 2004 | 31" | 26" | 17" |
| 1999 | 30" | 28" | 17" |
| 1994 | 32" | 20" | 10" |
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
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 | 97,948 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 98,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 98,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 98,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Lake Fifteen is a 133-acre, class 34 lake in southeastern Clay County. It is within the Buffalo River Watershed District. The lake's maximum depth is approximately 24 feet and has a history of infrequent winterkills. There is a DNR maintained public access on the north shore. In June 2024, the fish community was assessed with night electrofishing, six gill nets, and nine trap nets.
Northern Pike have been historically abundant in Lake Fifteen, and this was also the case in 2024. Pike had an average length of just over 21 inches, with the largest measuring 37 inches.
Read the full DNR narrative
Unlike Northern Pike, Walleye abundance in Lake Fifteen has been historically low, despite consistent stocking of Walleye fry. Only three Walleyes were caught during the survey in 2024. Those captured had an average length of 21 inches, and a maximum length of 25 inches.
Bluegill abundance was lower than past surveys, with fish averaging 5.5 inches long. Although fish up to 8 inches were measured, most Bluegill were less than 7.5 inches long.
This survey was the first time night electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was completed in Lake Fifteen. The average length of Largemouth Bass sampled was 13 inches. The largest Bass captured was just over 20 inches.
Crappie abundance was lower than past surveys. Crappie ranged in size from 7 to 9 inches long and had an average length of 8 inches. Yellow Perch abundance was also low, with the largest fish measuring just under 7 inches long. Bullhead abundance remained low, with both Black and Brown Bullheads being present. Other species observed included hybrid sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Fifteen Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Fifteen 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
- Lake Fifteen (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Fifteen Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Turtle Lake · 196 ac · 2.6 mi
- Upper Cormorant Lake · 974 ac · 4.5 mi
- Bijou Lake · 225 ac · 5.2 mi
- Middle Cormorant Lake · 373 ac · 5.6 mi
- Lee Lake · 158 ac · 6.5 mi
- Ida Lake · 632 ac · 6.6 mi
- Silver Lake · 115 ac · 6.7 mi
- Stakke Lake · 497 ac · 6.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Fifteen Lake?
Fifteen Lake reaches 24 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 10 ft; about 64% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Fifteen Lake?
Fifteen Lake covers 154 acres with about 3.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Fifteen Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Fifteen Lake average 10 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Fifteen Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Fifteen Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Fifteen Lake have a public access?
Yes. Fifteen Lake has one public access site: Lake Fifteen (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Fifteen Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 37"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Fifteen Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Fifteen Lake in 2024, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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