Minnesota · Martin County
Imogene Lake Fishing guide
Imogene Lake sits in Martin County, Minnesota, and covers 186 acres, reaching 6 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 1.2 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 4 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, northern pike, bluegill and crappie in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2023One of the best around16per gill net18"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 37 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 37 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1 fish
2015Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2009Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2003Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
CrappieFair numbers12.6per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 114 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 114 fish
2021Lengths measured · 65 fish
2009Lengths measured · 91 fish
2003Yellow perchLast stocked 2022Fair numbers1.5per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 12 fish
2021Lengths measured · 35 fish
2015Lengths measured · 8 fish
2009Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates 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 Imogene Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 1.2 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 6-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 1.2 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 100% 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. A 6-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Northern pike | Channel catfish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24" | 27" | 20" |
| 2015 | 8" | 24" | — |
| 2009 | 24" | 15" | — |
| 2003 | 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:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Northern pike · Hardbaits
Buzzbait
3/8–1/2 oz buzzbait with a clacker blade and skirted single hook
Channel catfish · Live bait
Bullhead Bottom Rig
nightcrawler chunk or whole worm
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 | Northern Pike | 328 fingerlings · 24 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,387 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Northern Pike | 556 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Yellow Perch | 1,394 adults |
| 2021 | Northern Pike | 284 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 234 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,640 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 664 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Imogene Lake is a 185-acre lake located four miles east of the City of Fairmont in Martin County. The lake has a maximum depth of 6.0 ft. and typically has turbid water (Secchi depth 0.6 ft.) and dense algae blooms. Imogene Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch and secondarily for Walleye. A standard survey was conducted the week of July 19, 2021 to monitor fish populations using gill nets and trap nets.
Since 2003, Northern Pike catch rates have varied from 0.0 to 7.5 per gill net and have averaged 2.7 per gill net. In 2021, one 27.1 inch Northern Pike was sampled in trap nets and zero were sampled in gill nets. Prior to 2021, Northern Pike have not been stocked since 2014, indicating that they are not able to sustain their population through natural reproduction. While Imogene Lake does not have your typical Northern Pike habitat, it is susceptible to winterkill which is the main driver towards Northern Pike management. We expect to stock Northern Pike in order maintain a presence in Imogene Lake as a large predator that is more tolerant of low dissolved oxygen during winter. During the fall of 2021, 284 Northern Pike fingerlings were stocked to supplement the population.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Yellow Perch catch rate decreased from 17.0 per gill net in 2015 to 1.5 per gill net in 2021 and was below the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Lengths of Yellow Perch in gill nets and trap nets ranged from 4.6 to 10.6 inches and averaged 7.2 inches. The yellow Perch population in Imogene Lake should continue to be monitored for adverse effects from the newly introduced Yellow Bass population. The low abundance of Yellow Perch may be a byproduct of a record catch of Walleye.
Prior to 2021, Walleye catch rates varied from 0.0 per gill net in 2003 to 1.5 per gill net in 2009. In 2021, Walleye were captured at a rate of 16.0 per gill net, which is near the upper end of expected catch rates for similar lakes (18.1 per gill net). Four year classes of Walleye were sampled including ages 1, 2, 5, and 7. Age-1 Walleye were likely the result of natural reproduction because fry or fingerlings were not stocked in 2020. These naturally reproduced Walleye from 2020 compose a small percentage of the catch, it is important to recognize the habitat in some year on Imogene Lake is sufficient. The other year classes correspond to fingerling and yearling stockings. Mean length at age-2 was 14.4 inches, which indicates fast growth. Walleye lengths ranged from 10.9 to 24.7 inches and averaged 17.2 inches. Fingerling, yearling, and adult stocking appears to maintain a quality Walleye population in Imogene Lake, which should provide anglers with a good fishing experience.
Within the last couple of years, anglers have submitted photos of Yellow Bass that were caught at Imogene Lake. The 2021 survey was the first time that MNDNR has sampled Yellow Bass in Imogene Lake. The 2021 Yellow Bass catch rate was 8.5 per gill net. Two year classes of Yellow Bass were present, age-1's and age-2's. Lengths of Yellow Bass ranged from 6.1 to 9.3 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. Yellow Bass appear to be growing fast, as mean length at age-1 was 6.5 inches and at age-2 was 9.1 inches. The Yellow Bass population should continue to be monitored as diet studies have suggested that they may compete with Yellow Perch and other native species of fish. Although it is physically possible for Yellow Bass to swim into Imogene Lake given the connectivity of the outlet to Center Creek (Outlet of Fairmont Chain of Lakes), there is the belief that Yellow Bass were likely illegally stocked by an angler. Anglers should not move or introduce new species to a lake, as this may have adverse effects on game fish populations.
The Black Crappie catch rate in 2021 was 10.3 per trap net, which exceeds the long term average of 5.9 per trap net at Imogene Lake. Black Crappie were large, ranging in length from 5.7 to 12.2 inches and averaging 9.2 inches. Thirty-six percent of Black Crappie were 10.0 inches or larger. Despite not being managed for Black Crappie, a quality crappie fishery exists in Imogene Lake.
Channel Catfish were sampled at a rate of 3.5 per gill net, ranging in length from 7.3 to 20.9 inches and averaging 16.8 inches. This is the first time that Channel Catfish have been sampled in Imogene Lake. Other species sampled included Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, White Crappie, and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Imogene Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Imogene 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
- Imogene Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Imogene Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Budd Lake · 228 ac · 5 mi
- Sisseton Lake · 138 ac · 5.2 mi
- George Lake · 83 ac · 5.3 mi
- Hall Lake · 548 ac · 5.4 mi
- Amber Lake · 182 ac · 5.9 mi
- East Chain Lake · 481 ac · 7.5 mi
- Willmert (main bay) Lake · 335 ac · 8.1 mi
- South Silver Lake · 252 ac · 10 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Imogene Lake?
Imogene Lake reaches 6 ft at its deepest point; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Imogene Lake?
Imogene Lake covers 186 acres with about 2.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Imogene Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Imogene Lake average 1.2 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Imogene Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Imogene Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked northern pike in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Imogene Lake have a public access?
Yes. Imogene Lake has one public access site: Imogene Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Imogene Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2003.
When was Imogene Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Imogene Lake in 2021, the most recent of 4 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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