Minnesota · Cass County
Gull Lake Fishing guide
Gull Lake sits in Cass County, Minnesota, and covers 10,010 acres, reaching 80 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 37 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers5.3per gill net16"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 292 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 137 fish
2025Lengths measured · 320 fish
2025Lengths measured · 395 fish
2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2023Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassGood numbers66.3per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 288 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 253 fish
2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2023Lengths measured · 20 fish
2021Lengths measured · 6 fish
2020Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Smallmouth bassPresent1.1per gill net14"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 49 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 6 fish
2025Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 37 fish
2023Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2020Northern pikeJust a few3per gill net23"Typical42"Biggest
Lengths measured · 2310 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 47 fish
2025Lengths measured · 2175 fish
2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2023Lengths measured · 48 fish
2021Present and managed by the DNR. Standard survey gear does not count this species reliably.
BluegillFair numbers28.7per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 615 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 532 fish
2025Lengths measured · 62 fish
2023Lengths measured · 21 fish
2021Lengths measured · 40 fish
2020CrappieJust a few1.5per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 27 fish
2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2021Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2020Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2019Yellow perchGood numbers10.4per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 481 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 215 fish
2025Lengths measured · 84 fish
2023Lengths measured · 182 fish
2021Lengths measured · 221 fish
2020Rock bassExcellent numbers2.3per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 183 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 113 fish
2025Lengths measured · 47 fish
2023Lengths measured · 23 fish
2021Lengths measured · 37 fish
2020Rates 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 Gull Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.2 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 80 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 14.2 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. On a lake that drops to 80 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27" | 19" | 16" |
| 2024 | 21" | — | — |
| 2023 | 27" | 17" | 18" |
| 2022 | 24" | — | — |
| 2021 | 27" | 16" | 17" |
| 2020 | 29" | 16" | 19" |
| 2019 | 23" | 16" | — |
| 2018 | 26" | 17" | 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 · 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
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
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 | Muskellunge | 279 yearlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,500,000 fry |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 2,000 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,412,500 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 2,825,000 fry |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 2,000 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,825,000 fry |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 2,000 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 5,325,000 fry · 4,500 yearlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 45,420 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 4,225,000 fry |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 2,000 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Gull is a 10,010 acre lake in the Crow Wing River watershed in Crow Wing County. It is located six miles north of Brainerd and has DNR administered public accesses on the east and north shores. An Army Corps of Engineers access is located on the southeastern shore near the outlet of the Gull River. It has a maximum depth of 80 feet. Gull Lake is heavily developed, and recreational traffic can be very heavy during summer months. Multiple large fishing tournaments occur throughout the year. Zebra Mussels were first discovered in Gull Lake in 2010. Water clarity measured during the July 2025 survey was good, with an average Secchi depth of 14.3 feet.
Gull Lake is one of the premier Walleye fisheries in the Brainerd area and is popular with anglers year round. Walleye fry stocking is done annually at the rate of 1,000 per littoral acre (2,825,000). Walleye fingerlings are also stocked at the rate of one pound per littoral acre (2,825 pounds), contingent on the fall electrofishing catch rate falling below 30 young of the year (YOY) Walleyes per hour for two consecutive years. This would limit fingerling stocking to no more often than every other year. A contingency fingerling stocking was last done in 2020. The 2025 catch of 5.7/gillnet was just above the lake average. Past catches have ranged from 2.8 to 8.5/gill net. .
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye ranged in length from 7.6 to 27.2 inches with an average of 13.5 inches. Fish at least 12 inches in length made up 46% of the catch with 16% being at least 20 inches in length. Ten year classes were sampled, with the 2024 age 1 class making up 53% of the catch. Growth was good with Walleye averaging 16.5 inches at age 4.
Gull Lake has always had a high quality and balanced Northern Pike population. To protect larger, mature fish, special fishing regulations enacted in 2024 require the immediate release of all Northern Pike between 30 and 40 inches, with a possession limit of two fish and only one allowed over 40 inches. The gill net catch of 3.0/gill net was below the lake average. Past catches have ranged from 0.4 to 6.4/gill net. Length ranged from 20.3 to 38.6 inches with an average of 26.2 inches. Fish in the 30-40 inch protected slot made up 20% of the catch. Growth was good with Northern Pike reaching 24.7 inches at age 4.
Anglers will have no problem finding quality Largemouth Bass in Gull. Largemouth Bass were sampled by a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 60.8/hr of run-time. Fish ranged from 3.5 to 19.2 inches with an average length of 12.5 inches. Largemouth Bass at least 12 inches in length accounted for 65% of the catch with 24% at least 15 inches in length. Largemouth Bass had a gill net catch of 1.7/gill net. Fish ranged from 4.7 to 17.3 inches with an average length of 12.5 inches with 68% at least 12 inches and 23% at least 15 inches in length. Seven year classes were sampled with fish reaching 13.2 inches at age 4.
Panfish are popular, especially Black Crappie in the spring, on Gull. The Black Crappie catch of 1.5/trap net was below the lake average. Previous catches ranged from 0.9 to 7.4/trap net. Fish ranged from 3.6 to 11.3 inches with an average length of 7.6 inches. The gill net catch of 0.3/net was right at the lake average. Past catches have ranged from 0.0 to 1.7/gill net. Fish ranged from 4.3 to 11.7 inches with an average length of 7.6 inches. For both gears combined 48% were at least 8 inches and 26% were at least 10 inches in length. Bluegills had a catch of 28.7/trap net which was below the lake average. Past catches ranged from 19.7-91.4/trap net. Average length was 5.1 inches with fish ranging from 2.8 to 8.5 inches. Only 11% were at least 7 inches in length.
Yellow Perch are an important prey species for Walleye and Northern Pike. The gill net catch was down compared to past surveys. Fish ranged from 4.2 to 11.4 inches. The majority of Yellow Perch in Gull are too small to be of interest to anglers, with only 3% at least 8 inches in length.
Other species sampled in the latest survey included Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Gull Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Gull 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
- Gull Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Gull Lake, Government Point (trailer launch)
- Gull Lake, Gull Narrows (trailer launch)
- Gull Narrows Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Gull Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Agate Lake · 157 ac · 1.4 mi
- Love Lake · 79 ac · 2 mi
- Round Lake · 1,650 ac · 4 mi
- Margaret Lake · 251 ac · 4.1 mi
- Dade Lake · 99 ac · 4.1 mi
- Green Bass Lake · 44 ac · 4.1 mi
- Beauty Lake · 19 ac · 5.3 mi
- Rock Lake · 261 ac · 5.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Gull Lake?
Gull Lake reaches 80 ft at its deepest point; about 28% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Gull Lake?
Gull Lake covers 10,010 acres with about 46.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Gull Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Gull Lake average 14.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Gull Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Gull Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Gull Lake have a public access?
Yes. Gull Lake has 4 public access sites, including Gull Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Gull 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 2018.
When was Gull Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Gull Lake in 2025, the most recent of 37 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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