Minnesota · Cass County
Girl Lake Fishing guide
Girl Lake covers 428 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 81 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2per gill net20"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2021Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2020Lengths measured · 14 fish
2012Largemouth bassJust a few1.6per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 22 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 24 fish
2020Lengths measured · 62 fish
2017Northern pikeFair numbers9.9per gill net18"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 94 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 89 fish
2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2021Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 78 fish
2020Lengths measured · 169 fish
2012Last recorded in the 2020 survey and not seen since.
BluegillJust a few11.1per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 180 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 80 fish
2024Lengths measured · 100 fish
2021Lengths measured · 56 fish
2020Lengths measured · 130 fish
2012CrappieJust a few0.4per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 31 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 71 fish
2020Lengths measured · 20 fish
2012Yellow perchFair numbers1.4per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 27 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 14 fish
2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2021Lengths measured · 14 fish
2020Lengths measured · 64 fish
2012Rock bassExcellent numbers9.5per hr (electrofishing)5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2024Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2021Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2020Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 37 fish
2012Rates 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 Girl Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.8 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. On a lake that drops to 81 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 14.8 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. On a lake that drops to 81 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27" | 34" | 17" |
| 2021 | 20" | 24" | 14" |
| 2020 | 24" | 33" | 14" |
| 2017 | — | — | 18" |
| 2012 | 26" | 32" | 16" |
| 2007 | 26" | 33" | 14" |
| 2002 | 27" | 27" | 13" |
| 1997 | 26" | 31" | 15" |
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 · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 136,740 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 137,025 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 137,700 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 137,025 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 136,475 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 136,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 139,880 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 136,350 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 136,760 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Girl Lake is a 428-acre lake with 9.4 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 81 feet located in Longville, MN. A city owned public access is located on the east shore. The MNDNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Moccasin Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in this class are medium sized, moderately deep, irregularly shaped, and clear. Other Class 25 lakes in the Walker area include Birch (DOW# 11-0143), Blackwater (DOW# 11-0274), Inguadona (DOW# 11-0120), and Long (DOW# 11-0142). The lake is primarily managed for Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch and secondarily for Muskellunge and Tullibee (Cisco). A 24 to 36 inch protected slot regulation on Northern Pike was implemented in 2003 with the objective of increasing the percentage of northern pike 24 inches or longer in the Woman Lake chain (Child, Girl, Little Woman, and Woman lakes). The purpose of this survey was to evaluate Walleye stocking and the status of Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch populations.
Northern Pike are abundant in Girl Lake and near the upper management goal. Northern Pike ranged in length from 13 to 35 inches with an average length of 20 inches. Walleye abundance below the minimum management goal of four fish per gill net however, within historic ranges. Walleye ranged in length from 13 to 27 inches with an average length of 19.0 inches. Yellow Perch numbers were below the minimum management goal of five fish per gill net and have remained low since 2016. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 11 inches with and average length of 9.0 inches. Bluegill averaged 6 inches long and ranged from 4 to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 7 to 18 inches with an average length of 11 inches. Other species sampled were Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and White Sucker.
Read the full DNR narrative
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently the aquatic invasive species (AIS) identified in Girl Lake are Zebra Mussels, Rusty Crayfish, Purple Loosestrife, Curly-leaf Pondweed, and Eurasian Watermilfoil. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Girl Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Girl 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
- Girl Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Girl Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Boxell Lake · 66 ac · 1.4 mi
- Lake · 759 ac · 1.7 mi
- Woman Lake · 5,520 ac · 2.8 mi
- Hazel Lake · 15 ac · 3 mi
- Long Lake · 1,007 ac · 3.1 mi
- Silver Lake · 121 ac · 3.3 mi
- Rice Lake · 270 ac · 3.3 mi
- Little Boy Lake · 1,452 ac · 3.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Girl Lake?
Girl Lake reaches 81 ft at its deepest point; about 64% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Girl Lake?
Girl Lake covers 428 acres with about 9.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Girl Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Girl Lake average 14.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Girl Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Girl Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Girl Lake have a public access?
Yes. Girl Lake has one public access site: Girl Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Girl Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Girl Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Girl Lake in 2024, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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