Minnesota · Jackson County
Fish Lake Fishing guide
Fish Lake covers 297 acres in Jackson County, Minnesota, reaching 26 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 8.1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.3per gill net18"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 108 fish
2024Lengths measured · 33 fish
2023Lengths measured · 12 fish
2023Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019BluegillLast stocked 2016Just a few7per trap net4"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 64 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 64 fish
2023Lengths measured · 806 fish
2019Lengths measured · 59 fish
2015Lengths measured · 32 fish
2011Yellow perchExcellent numbers19.7per gill net5"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 73 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 73 fish
2023Lengths measured · 171 fish
2019Lengths measured · 43 fish
2015Lengths measured · 6 fish
2011Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Channel catfishExcellent numbers5per gill net16"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 18 fish
2023Lengths measured · 51 fish
2019Lengths measured · 103 fish
2015Lengths measured · 42 fish
2011Rates 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.
- 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.
- 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 | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12" | — | — |
| 2023 | 23" | 15" | 17" |
| 2019 | 28" | — | 16" |
| 2015 | 24" | 20" | 19" |
| 2011 | 24" | 19" | 17" |
| 2006 | 25" | 19" | 17" |
| 2002 | 27" | — | 15" |
| 1998 | 28" | 19" | 17" |
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
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 | 485 adults |
| 2023 | Northern Pike | 504 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Northern Pike | 192 adults |
| 2022 | Walleye | 337 fingerlings · 408 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 663 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 274 fingerlings · 1,771 yearlings · 112 adults |
| 2016 | Bluegill Sunfish | 268 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 3,452 fingerlings · 1,065 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Fish Lake is a 300-acre, class 24 lake, located near Windom in Jackson County. Lower Mississippi Strain (LMS) Walleye have been stocked since 2015 and are now tracked to determine their ability to naturally reproduce in Fish Lake. Night electrofishing was conducted October 6, 2025, to determine the number per hour and size of age-0 Walleye from natural reproduction and determine if stocking was needed in 2025.
The 2025 catch rate of Walleye fingerlings (age-0) was 0 per hour indicating limited or no natural reproduction in 2025. Walleye adults were stocked in 2025 to alleviate effects from two missing year classes in 2024 and 2025. Electrofishing will be done again in 2026 to determine the need for stocking.
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 (S) (trailer launch)
- Fish Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Fish Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Cottonwood Lake · 155 ac · 3.6 mi
- Bingham Lake · 270 ac · 5.1 mi
- Independence Lake · 99 ac · 5.7 mi
- Eagle Lake · 105 ac · 7.5 mi
- String Lake · 336 ac · 7.6 mi
- Timber Lake · 191 ac · 8.5 mi
- Mountain Lake · 230 ac · 8.6 mi
- Flahtery Lake · 457 ac · 10.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Fish Lake?
Fish Lake reaches 26 ft at its deepest point; about 50% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Fish Lake?
Fish Lake covers 297 acres with about 3.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Fish Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Fish Lake average 8.1 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Fish Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Fish Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Fish Lake have a public access?
Yes. Fish Lake has 2 public access sites, including Fish Lake (S) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Fish Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 23"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Fish Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Fish Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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