Minnesota · Cass County
Howard Lake Fishing guide
Howard Lake covers 386 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 60 ft at its deepest point. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 5 times, most recently in 2001, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets. That survey is 25 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
The DNR last surveyed Howard Lake in 2001. Ratings need a survey from the last 20 years, so this page lists the species from that older record without numbers.
- Walleye
- Largemouth bass
- Northern pike
- Muskellunge
- Bluegill
- Crappie
- Yellow perch
- Rock bass
How to fish Howard Lake 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. On a lake that drops to 60 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.
- 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 60 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.
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 · Trolling
Muskie Trolling (big cranks)
8–10" large diving crankbait rated for the target depth
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,400 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,200 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2001 survey
Howard Lake is a 365-acre lake with a maximum depth of 60 feet. The lake is located seven miles northeast of Akeley, Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Howard Lake is in lake class 25. Waters in this class are typically deep, clear, hardwater lakes with irregular shorelines. Other area lakes in the same lake class include: Blackwater, Long (near Longville), and Inguadona. Approximately 25% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. There is no developed public access on Howard Lake. Howard Lake provides fishing for northern pike, walleye, bluegill, black crappie, and largemouth bass. The lake is managed primarily for northern pike, largemouth bass, and black crappie. The 2001 survey of Howard Lake showed an abundant population of northern pike. The average size northern pike sampled during the survey was about 19 inches, however several fish over 30 inches were captured. Many different year classes of northern pike were found, indicating good natural reproduction in Howard Lake. Few yellow perch were found during the survey, however it is likely that the northern pike are relying upon tullibee (cisco) as an important food source. Walleye were not abundant during the 2001 survey, however those captured were large, ranging from 20 to 29 inches. A limited amount of walleye natural reproduction occurs in this lake. Bluegill were abundant. Most were small, though fish up to 8 inches were found during the 2001 survey. Pumpkinseed sunfish were also found in Howard Lake, and fish up to 7 inches were sampled. Howard Lake had a good population of largemouth bass, and DNR personnel sampled bass from 5 to 15 inches long. Black crappie were present, and fish up to 11 inches were sampled. Other fish that make up the fish community of Howard Lake include bullheads, rock bass and white sucker. Shoreline areas - on the land and into the shallow water - provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines can't support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. The combined effects of all lakeshore owners "fixing up" their property can destroy a lake's valuable natural shorelines. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. Natural lake bottom materials like silt or gravel are more ecologically productive than pure sand trucked in for a swimming beach. A tidy lawn and a sandy beach make great spots for sunbathing and swimming but do little to provide habitat for fish and wildlife. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife. Lakeshore owners need to manage their shoreline in a natural condition if fish and wildlife populations on Minnesota lakes are to remain healthy and abundant. More specific information on protecting or restoring shorelines and watersheds is available through MN DNR Fisheries offices. Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-size fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Howard Lake and provide anglers with opportunities to catch more and larger fish in the future.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Howard Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Howard 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.
DNR bathymetry
Howard Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Bass Lake · 114 ac · 1.3 mi
- Shingobee Lake · 172 ac · 1.8 mi
- Bass Lake · 278 ac · 2.1 mi
- Island Lake · 78 ac · 2.7 mi
- Big Bass Lake · 133 ac · 3.3 mi
- Eleventh Crow Wing Lake · 751 ac · 3.6 mi
- Crystal Lake · 190 ac · 3.9 mi
- Ten Mile Lake · 5,080 ac · 4.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Howard Lake?
Howard Lake reaches 60 ft at its deepest point; about 26% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Howard Lake?
Howard Lake covers 386 acres with about 7 miles of shoreline.
What fish are in Howard Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2001) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Howard Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2018; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Howard Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Howard Lake in 2001, the most recent of 5 surveys on record. That is more than 20 years ago, so this page lists species without ratings.
Page updated .
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