Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Gladstone Lake Fishing guide
Gladstone Lake is a 437-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 36 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Largemouth bassOne of the best around101per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 112 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 112 fish
2024Lengths measured · 93 fish
2018Lengths measured · 91 fish
2012Lengths measured · 1 fish
2012Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeOne of the best around20.3per gill net17"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 189 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 189 fish
2024Lengths measured · 178 fish
2018Lengths measured · 171 fish
2012Lengths measured · 2 fish
2012Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillFair numbers38.1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1841 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 517 fish
2024Lengths measured · 273 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1051 fish
2021Lengths measured · 379 fish
2018CrappieJust a few3.3per trap net8"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 226 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 56 fish
2024Lengths measured · 29 fish
2024Lengths measured · 141 fish
2021Lengths measured · 47 fish
2018Rates 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 Gladstone Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 12 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 12 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.
- 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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike | Bluegill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18" | 37" | 9" |
| 2021 | — | — | 8" |
| 2018 | 18" | 36" | 9" |
| 2015 | — | — | 8" |
| 2012 | 17" | 35" | 8" |
| 2009 | — | — | 8" |
| 2006 | 18" | 34" | 8" |
| 1996 | 18" | 33" | 9" |
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:
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
Bluegill · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
Bluegill · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
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 2024 survey
Gladstone is a 407 acre lake located 10 miles north of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. Gladstone reaches depths of 36 feet, with 60% of the lake less than 15 feet deep. Emergent vegetation such as cattails and bulrush beds are located around the lake. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Water clarity was good with a Secchi disk reading of 11 feet.
Largemouth Bass were sampled by a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 100.0/hour run time suggesting relatively high numbers. Average length was 13.3 inches, with 43% measuring at least 14 inches with fish up to 17.8 inches sampled. Largemouth Bass were sampled in average numbers in gill nets, when compared to similar lakes, at 1.0/net. Average length was 14.5 inches.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike were sampled in high numbers at 20.3/gill net. Most were on the smaller side with an average length of 19.1 inches. Northern Pike over 26 inches made up 7% of the catch, with fish up to 37.6 inches sampled suggesting at least some angling opportunities exist for large pike. Voluntary catch and release of these larger fish will help create a balanced population. Anglers are reminded that all pike between 22 and 26 inches must be immediately released under the northcentral pike zone regulation.
In 2021, a new regulation was adopted that reduced the Black Crappie and Sunfish daily limit to 5 each to maintain or improve quality panfish sizes in Gladstone Lake. Black Crappies were sampled in average numbers in both gill nets (2.6/net) and trap nets (3.3/net). Average length was 6.5 inches for gill nets and 7.3 inches for trap nets. For both gear types combined, only 10% of Black Crappies measured at least 9 inches in length but this may improve as fish from the relatively strong 2020 and 2022 year classes grow to desirable sizes.
Bluegills were also sampled in average numbers at 38.1/trap net. Average length was 5.3 inches, with 10% measuring at least 7 inches in length. Relatively few fish over 8 inches were sampled but some fish exceeding 9 inches were present. It is likely that larger Bluegill had vacated the shallows before the standard survey or that larger males were on nests and not easily sampled. Spring sampling often better represents Bluegill size quality. A spring trap net survey found that 12% of the Bluegill were at least 8 inches and suggested a quality size structure. Bluegill in Gladstone have moderate growth rates. It appears that Gladstone may produce large Bluegill, but it takes a long time given the moderate growth rate of about one inch per year. It is hoped that the 5 fish limit will contribute to a population with more opportunities for larger Bluegill.
In 2023 Zebra Mussels were discovered in Gladstone Lake. Before and after launching lake-users should inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, live wells and bait wells.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Gladstone Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Gladstone 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
- Gladstone Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Gladstone Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Hubert Lake · 194 ac · 0.9 mi
- Hubert Lake · 1,301 ac · 1.5 mi
- Round Lake · 1,650 ac · 2.5 mi
- North Long Lake · 6,190 ac · 2.6 mi
- Clark Lake · 305 ac · 2.8 mi
- Nisswa Lake · 219 ac · 4 mi
- Edward Lake · 2,628 ac · 4.2 mi
- Love Lake · 79 ac · 4.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Gladstone Lake?
Gladstone Lake reaches 36 ft at its deepest point; about 56% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Gladstone Lake?
Gladstone Lake covers 437 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Gladstone Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Gladstone Lake average 12 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Gladstone Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Gladstone Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Gladstone Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Gladstone Lake have a public access?
Yes. Gladstone Lake has one public access site: Gladstone Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Gladstone Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 18"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Gladstone Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Gladstone Lake in 2024, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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