Minnesota · Hubbard County
Kabekona Lake Fishing guide
Kabekona Lake sits in Hubbard County, Minnesota, and covers 2,433 acres, reaching 133 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 11.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers2.6per gill net21"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 85 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2024Lengths measured · 69 fish
2023Lengths measured · 90 fish
2020Lengths measured · 245 fish
2017Largemouth bassJust a few5.9per hr (electrofishing)4"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2024Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2017Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2014Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few3.1per gill net23"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 42 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 41 fish
2023Lengths measured · 78 fish
2020Lengths measured · 40 fish
2017BluegillJust a few0.4per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2023Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 45 fish
2017Lengths measured · 6 fish
2014Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Yellow perchGood numbers6.2per gill net3"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1189 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1164 fish
2023Lengths measured · 23 fish
2020Lengths measured · 358 fish
2017Present in recent DNR surveys.
Rock bassOne of the best around4.6per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 139 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 42 fish
2024Lengths measured · 97 fish
2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2020Lengths measured · 50 fish
2017Rates 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 Kabekona Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.7 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 133 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 11.7 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 133 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27" | 6" | — |
| 2023 | 29" | 19" | 20" |
| 2020 | 27" | — | 19" |
| 2017 | 28" | 18" | 17" |
| 2014 | 28" | 20" | 12" |
| 2008 | 30" | 9" | 19" |
| 2003 | 28" | 15" | 18" |
| 1998 | 30" | 14" | 15" |
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
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Hover Shot
3–4" soft jerkbait minnow nose-rigged on a 90°-eye hover head so it hangs dead level
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 | 19,134 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 11,660 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 8,163 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 10,600 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kabekona Lake was conducted on July 11-17, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program 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 24 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 22 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 28 species of fish including 11 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Northern Sunfish, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 11 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Rock Bass and Yellow Perch comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Walleye and Bowfin comprised a majority by biomass.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow and Common Carp). 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.
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Kabekona Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Kabekona Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Kabekona Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Kabekona Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Kabekona 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
- Kabekona Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Kabekona Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lester Lake · 72 ac · 1.5 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 264 ac · 2.7 mi
- Benedict Lake · 464 ac · 3.6 mi
- Garfield Lake · 972 ac · 3.9 mi
- Twenty-One Lake · 36 ac · 3.9 mi
- Nelson Lake · 40 ac · 4.1 mi
- Crappie Lake · 23 ac · 6.7 mi
- Gillett Lake · 44 ac · 6.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Kabekona Lake?
Kabekona Lake reaches 133 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 53 ft; about 22% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Kabekona Lake?
Kabekona Lake covers 2,433 acres with about 10.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Kabekona Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Kabekona Lake average 11.7 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Kabekona Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, brook trout, rock bass.
Is Kabekona Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Kabekona Lake have a public access?
Yes. Kabekona Lake has one public access site: Kabekona Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Kabekona Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Kabekona Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Kabekona Lake in 2024, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Kabekona Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Kabekona Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report