Minnesota · Hennepin County
Fish Lake Fishing guide
Fish Lake is a 238-acre lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, reaching 49 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6.1 ft of visibility. 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
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.3per gill net16"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2019Lengths measured · 4 fish
1997Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few2.2per gill net23"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 14 fish
2024Lengths measured · 60 fish
2019Lengths measured · 16 fish
2014Lengths measured · 34 fish
2009BluegillFair numbers28.1per trap net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 313 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 313 fish
2024Lengths measured · 686 fish
2019Lengths measured · 415 fish
2014Lengths measured · 481 fish
2009CrappieJust a few2.8per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 80 fish
2024Lengths measured · 31 fish
2019Lengths measured · 28 fish
2014Lengths measured · 44 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 Fish 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 49 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 49 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25" | 13" | 28" |
| 2019 | 23" | 20" | 34" |
| 2014 | — | 16" | 35" |
| 2009 | — | 18" | 33" |
| 2003 | — | 17" | 33" |
| 1997 | 25" | 16" | 30" |
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
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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
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 | 3,225 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 5,805 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 7,525 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 2,925 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Fish Lake is a 238-acre lake with a maximum depth of 49 feet. Fish is located in Maple Grove, in northern Hennepin County. Three Rivers Park District owns and maintains a public access ramp in Fish Lake Regional Park on the southern shore of the lake. Fish is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass, and also supports populations of Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Privately purchased Walleye fingerlings have been stocked by the lake association since 2013.
A Standard Survey was conducted on Fish Lake during the week of 7/15/2024 to assess the fishery. Fish Lake had moderate water clarity, measured at 9 feet during the time of this survey. Eurasian Watermilfoil was found in Fish Lake in 1995 and remains present.
Read the full DNR narrative
In 2024 Northern Pike were sampled at rates similar to other lakes in the area, and the sampled fish ranged between 20 and 29 inches long. The abundance of Northern Pike in Fish Lake has fluctuated over the years, but the fish show consistent natural reproduction, so this is a reliable species for anglers to target.
Largemouth Bass were not sampled in 2024, however when they were last sampled in 2019 the fish were abundant. Despite a lack bass larger than 20 inches, the 2019 survey showed a healthy fishery with over 45% of the sampled bass exceeding 12 inches.
Walleye were sampled in numbers that are about average for this type of lake. Fish from each of the previous 5 stockings were present in the 2024 sample, and more than half of the sampled fish exceeded 15 inches.
Bluegill were sampled in a higher than average abundance, and their size was modest. There were 253 Bluegill sampled with trap nets during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 5.7 inches and a maximum length of 7.8 inches. High numbers of Bluegill likely limit growth potential, creating a population mainly composed of small individuals. Only 4% of the sampled fish exceeded 7 inches.
Black Crappie were sampled in numbers that are about average for this type of lake. Seventy-nine Black Crappie were sampled, with an average length of 6.3 inches and a maximum length of 9.5 inches. Eleven percent of the sampled fish exceeded 8 inches.
Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Fish Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Fish 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
- Fish Lake, Regional Park (trailer launch)
- Fish Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Fish Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Rice Lake · 366 ac · 1.7 mi
- Weaver Lake · 152 ac · 2.4 mi
- Eagle Lake · 296 ac · 2.7 mi
- Bass Lake · 183 ac · 2.9 mi
- Boundary Creek Pond · 11 ac · 4.7 mi
- Medicine Lake · 924 ac · 6.1 mi
- Parkers Lake · 100 ac · 6.7 mi
- Twin Lake · 217 ac · 6.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Fish Lake?
Fish Lake reaches 49 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 20.3 ft; about 45% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Fish Lake?
Fish Lake covers 238 acres with about 5.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Fish Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Fish Lake average 6.1 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Fish Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Fish Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Fish Lake have a public access?
Yes. Fish Lake has 2 public access sites, including Fish Lake, Regional Park (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Fish Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Fish Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Fish Lake in 2024, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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