Minnesota · Wright County
Howard Lake Fishing guide
Howard Lake is a 745-acre lake in Wright County, Minnesota, reaching 39 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers5.3per gill net20"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 65 fish
2024Lengths measured · 38 fish
2019Lengths measured · 51 fish
2014Lengths measured · 39 fish
2006Largemouth bassGood numbers81.9per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 227 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 227 fish
2024Lengths measured · 226 fish
2019Lengths measured · 54 fish
2014Lengths measured · 62 fish
2006Northern pikeJust a few4.7per gill net25"Typical39"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 59 fish
2024Lengths measured · 76 fish
2019Lengths measured · 74 fish
2014Lengths measured · 29 fish
2006BluegillLast stocked 2018Just a few19.3per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 330 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 330 fish
2024Lengths measured · 138 fish
2019Lengths measured · 286 fish
2016Lengths measured · 164 fish
2014CrappieJust a few2.2per trap net7"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 77 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 77 fish
2024Lengths measured · 580 fish
2019Lengths measured · 31 fish
2014Lengths measured · 619 fish
2006Yellow perchOne of the best around38.3per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 463 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 463 fish
2024Lengths measured · 206 fish
2019Lengths measured · 73 fish
2014Lengths measured · 62 fish
2006Rates 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 Howard Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.5 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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.
- 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. In 3.5 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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.
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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28" | 20" | 39" |
| 2019 | 27" | 20" | 34" |
| 2014 | 26" | 19" | 36" |
| 2006 | 27" | 19" | 30" |
| 1996 | 27" | 20" | 28" |
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
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 · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
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 | 159,541 fry · 1,978 fingerlings · 297 yearlings · 40 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 3,000 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 305,050 fry · 6,513 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,956 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 3,000 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 3,792 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Bluegill Sunfish | 1,000 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 2,000 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 6,665 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Howard Lake, was conducted on July 29-July 31st, 2024, by Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 12 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 0 stations. Seining was not completed at IBI 5 and 8 due to dense vegetation and deep water. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including 1 species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter and 2 that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Read the full DNR narrative
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Howard Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Howard Lake is impaired for biological health. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the North Fork Crow River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Howard Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
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.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Howard Lake, Lions Park (trailer launch)
- Howard Lake, Memorial Park (trailer launch)
- Howard Lake (N) (carry-in)
- Howard Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Howard Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Dutch Lake · 162 ac · 1.4 mi
- Ann Lake · 375 ac · 3.2 mi
- Little Waverly Lake · 338 ac · 3.7 mi
- Emma Lake · 189 ac · 4 mi
- Waverly Lake · 494 ac · 4.9 mi
- Cokato Lake · 553 ac · 5.4 mi
- Mary Lake · 190 ac · 5.6 mi
- Dog Lake · 97 ac · 6.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Howard Lake?
Howard Lake reaches 39 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 16.1 ft; about 43% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Howard Lake?
Howard Lake covers 745 acres with about 4.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Howard Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Howard Lake average 3.5 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Howard Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Howard Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Howard Lake have a public access?
Yes. Howard Lake has 4 public access sites, including Howard Lake, Lions Park (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Howard Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Howard Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Howard Lake in 2024, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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