Minnesota · St. Louis County
Fish Lake Flowage Fishing guide
Fish Lake Flowage is a 3,259-acre lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, reaching 36 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 7.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 21 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeExcellent numbers8per gill net18"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 132 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 132 fish
2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2024Lengths measured · 53 fish
2023Largemouth bassFair numbers21.9per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 70 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 70 fish
2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2020Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 71 fish
2015Lengths measured · 4 fish
2015Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers7.4per gill net20"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 115 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 115 fish
2025Lengths measured · 87 fish
2020Lengths measured · 20 fish
2015Lengths measured · 58 fish
2015BluegillJust a few10.4per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 432 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 270 fish
2025Lengths measured · 162 fish
2021Lengths measured · 81 fish
2020Lengths measured · 107 fish
2015CrappieJust a few3.1per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 223 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 198 fish
2025Lengths measured · 25 fish
2021Lengths measured · 83 fish
2020Lengths measured · 59 fish
2015Yellow perchGood numbers12.7per gill net5"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 198 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 198 fish
2025Lengths measured · 48 fish
2020Lengths measured · 39 fish
2015Lengths measured · 81 fish
2015Rock bassGood numbers1.3per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 35 fish
2025Lengths measured · 50 fish
2020Lengths measured · 62 fish
2015Lengths measured · 6 fish
2015Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Rates 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 Flowage 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26" | 20" | 30" |
| 2024 | 10" | — | — |
| 2023 | 8" | — | — |
| 2022 | 10" | — | — |
| 2021 | 9" | — | — |
| 2020 | 26" | 14" | 28" |
| 2019 | 10" | — | — |
| 2018 | 7" | — | — |
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 · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
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.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Fish Lake is a 3258-acre lake located 10 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota, with a maximum depth of 31 feet. The lake can be publicly accessed on the north side of the lake off Fish Lake Dam Road or on the far west side off County Road 15.
The 2013 Lake Management Plan (LMP) identified Walleye and Black Crappie as the primary management species, with Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch designated as secondary species. Management goals include maintaining a naturally reproducing Walleye fishery with above-average gill net catch rates and good numbers of fish over 15 inches, as well as Black Crappie populations capable of supporting average catches of quality length fish. Anglers can help achieve this goal through selective harvest and proper catch-and-release techniques.
Read the full DNR narrative
Two special regulations have been implemented on Fish Lake. In 2012, a special harvest regulation for Walleye was enacted (13-17-inch harvest slot, one fish over 26 inches, possession limit of three) to reduce fishing mortality and protect spawning stock. In 2022, an additional regulation was implemented to improve and protect the size structure of the panfish fishery, establishing a daily bag limit of five Crappie and five Sunfish. Fish Lake was assessed in summer 2025 to update information about fish populations as part of a 5-year survey cycle, most recently completed in 2020.
The Walleye population is self-sustaining and has not been stocked since 1989, aside from a research study in the early 2010's. Walleye catches have generally been near typical values compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. The 2025 gill net catch (8.0 per net) was above average compared to similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 10.4 to 25.9 inches, with a mean length of 18.1 inches. Four memorable-length fish (greater than 25 inches) were sampled. Great Walleye fishing opportunities exist, given the abundance and quality size structure.
Black Crappie trap net abundance (3.1 per net) was within the expected range for this lake type. The mean length was 8.4 inches, and a considerable number of preferred-length individuals (greater than 10 inches) were captured. Black Crappie angling is expected to be good, with opportunities to catch numbers of preferred sized fish.
Bluegill trap net abundance (10.4 per net) exceeded the expected range for this lake type. The mean length was 4.7 inches, and several preferred-length individuals (greater than 8 inches) were captured. Bluegill angling is expected to be good, with opportunities to catch preferred sized fish.
Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch (21.9 per hour) was slightly below average when compared to other Duluth area lakes. Largemouth Bass mean length was 13.1 inches and ranged from 6.1 to 20.3 inches. Several preferred-length individuals (greater than 15 inches) were captured, showing good size structure and angling opportunities.
Northern Pike ranged from 16.1 to 30.9 inches, averaging 21.5 inches. High abundance and a decent size structure should provide quality angling opportunities.
Yellow Perch abundance (12.7 per net) exceeded the expected range for this lake type. Lengths ranged from 5.2 to 12.1 inches and averaged 6.3 inches, suggesting anglers can expect good catches dominated by smaller fish.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Fish Lake Flowage fishing reports
Recent reports on Fish Lake Flowage 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.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Fish Lake Flowage fishing reports → · St. Louis County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Fish Lake (S) (trailer launch)
- Fish Lake, High Banks (N) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Fish Lake Flowage depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Clearwater Lake · 15 ac · 3.4 mi
- Caribou Lake · 539 ac · 3.5 mi
- Cooks Lake · 97 ac · 4.6 mi
- Pike Lake · 488 ac · 5.4 mi
- Apple Lake · 31 ac · 5.4 mi
- Wild Rice Lake · 2,372 ac · 5.5 mi
- Mud Lake · 51 ac · 6.4 mi
- Island Lake Reservoir · 8,001 ac · 6.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Fish Lake Flowage?
Fish Lake Flowage reaches 36 ft at its deepest point.
How big is Fish Lake Flowage?
Fish Lake Flowage covers 3,259 acres with about 54.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Fish Lake Flowage?
DNR Secchi readings on Fish Lake Flowage average 7.6 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Fish Lake Flowage?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass, channel catfish.
Is Fish Lake Flowage stocked?
No stocking is on record for Fish Lake Flowage in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Fish Lake Flowage have a public access?
Yes. Fish Lake Flowage has 2 public access sites, including Fish Lake (S) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Fish Lake Flowage?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2018.
When was Fish Lake Flowage last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Fish Lake Flowage in 2025, the most recent of 21 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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