Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Goodrich Lake Fishing guide
Goodrich Lake covers 382 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 35 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 16 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassGood numbers51.8per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 127 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 127 fish
2024Lengths measured · 169 fish
2018Lengths measured · 107 fish
2012Lengths measured · 177 fish
2006No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeGood numbers11.2per gill net17"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 79 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 79 fish
2024Lengths measured · 84 fish
2018Lengths measured · 72 fish
2012Lengths measured · 109 fish
2006BluegillJust a few10.8per trap net8"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 667 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 254 fish
2024Lengths measured · 211 fish
2024Lengths measured · 202 fish
2021Lengths measured · 175 fish
2018CrappieJust a few2per trap net9"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 339 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 98 fish
2024Lengths measured · 136 fish
2024Lengths measured · 105 fish
2021Lengths measured · 158 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 Goodrich 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. With 62% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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. With 62% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 | Walleye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18" | 31" | 26" |
| 2018 | 17" | 35" | 26" |
| 2012 | 16" | 36" | 26" |
| 2006 | 20" | 33" | 21" |
| 1999 | 16" | 29" | 27" |
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
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
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
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 2,160 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Yellow Perch | 660 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,080 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 650 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Goodrich Lake was netted with single frame 3/4-inch trap nets May 13-14, 2024, to monitor Black Crappie and Bluegill populations. Goodrich Lake has a special regulation limiting the daily possession to five sunfish and five crappies. The reduced daily limit began in 2005.
Black Crappies ranged in length from 7.1" to 14.6". Average length was 9.2" and 62% of the Black Crappies measured 9" or longer and 9% were at least 10" suggesting opportunities to catch quality crappies.
Bluegills ranged in length from 5.3" to 9.5". Average length was 8.2" and 95% of the Bluegills measured 7" or longer and 64% were at least 8". Fish over 9 inches were present indicating a high quality fishery.
The five crappie and five sunfish daily limits have been successful in maintaining the quality size structure of panfish in Goodrich Lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Goodrich Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Goodrich 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
- Goodrich Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Goodrich Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Command Lake · 21 ac · 0.9 mi
- O'Brien Lake · 186 ac · 1.1 mi
- Dolney Lake · 272 ac · 1.7 mi
- Pickerel Lake · 117 ac · 1.9 mi
- Little Pine Lake · 330 ac · 2.1 mi
- Velvet Lake · 167 ac · 2.1 mi
- Daggett Lake · 258 ac · 3 mi
- Trout Lake · 117 ac · 3.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Goodrich Lake?
Goodrich Lake reaches 35 ft at its deepest point; about 62% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Goodrich Lake?
Goodrich Lake covers 382 acres with about 4.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Goodrich Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Goodrich Lake average 12 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Goodrich Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Goodrich Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye and yellow perch in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Goodrich Lake have a public access?
Yes. Goodrich Lake has one public access site: Goodrich Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Goodrich 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 1999.
When was Goodrich Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Goodrich Lake in 2024, the most recent of 16 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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