Minnesota · Beltrami County
Kitchi Lake Fishing guide
Kitchi Lake covers 1,865 acres in Beltrami County, Minnesota, reaching 50 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 7.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Present in recent DNR surveys.
BluegillJust a few5.1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 82 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 82 fish
2024Lengths measured · 133 fish
2019Lengths measured · 38 fish
2009Lengths measured · 46 fish
2004Yellow perchPresent31per seine haul5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 27 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 27 fish
2024Lengths measured · 697 fish
2019Lengths measured · 360 fish
2009Lengths measured · 284 fish
2004Rock bassOne of the best around5.6per seine haul7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 28 fish
2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2009Lengths measured · 15 fish
2004Rates 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 Kitchi 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 50 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 50 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25" | 7" | 22" |
| 2019 | 24" | 19" | 28" |
| 2009 | 23" | 18" | 25" |
| 2004 | 25" | 17" | 36" |
| 1993 | 25" | 15" | 35" |
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 · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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 | 750,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 729,551 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 801,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 828,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,120,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Kitchi Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Nation, was conducted on July 29 - August 1, 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 18 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Deep, soft sediments, dense emergent vegetation, and deep water prevented the use of seines at eight stations. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Muskellunge, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Sixteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 14 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance, Muskellunge. Bluegill (38%) and Pumpkinseed (26%) comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill (23%), Muskellunge (18%), and Bowfin (15%) comprised a majority by biomass. Overall, the numbers of fish captured per net was relatively low with only 14 fish and 7 pounds per net.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from an August 2019 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., Black Bullhead). 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.
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kitchi Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Nation, on July 29th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 42.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 16.1 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Cisco.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 22.5 degrees C (72.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Cisco at the time of the survey.
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources just outside the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2009, indicate suitable oxythermal habitat layer thickness of over 18 feet and a TDO3 of 19.2 degrees C. The least favorable conditions were recorded in this survey during a particularly hot summer season. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Kitchi Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the MNDNR FIBI general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. There is, however, concern for the Cisco population due to their absence from the most recent (2019) gill net sampling and the lack of optimal coldwater habitat observed in 2024. The FIBI results are similar to a 2019 survey regarding the biological health of the nearshore fish community of Kitchi Lake. You can help protect the fish community in Kitchi Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Kitchi Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Kitchi 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
- US Forest Service access: Knutson Dam on Cass Lake
- DNR access: Cass Lake by state hwy 2 rest area
- DNR access: Norway Beach
DNR bathymetry
Kitchi Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Rice Lake · 123 ac · 1.1 mi
- Big Rice Lake · 643 ac · 2.5 mi
- Buck Lake · 360 ac · 2.6 mi
- Moose Lake · 601 ac · 4.5 mi
- Pimushe Lake · 1,230 ac · 4.7 mi
- Big Lake · 3,598 ac · 4.9 mi
- Cass Lake · 15,958 ac · 5.3 mi
- Windigo Lake · 195 ac · 5.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Kitchi Lake?
Kitchi Lake reaches 50 ft at its deepest point; about 38% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Kitchi Lake?
Kitchi Lake covers 1,865 acres with about 14.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Kitchi Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Kitchi Lake average 7.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Kitchi Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Kitchi Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Kitchi Lake have a public access?
Yes. Kitchi Lake has 3 public access sites, including a US Forest Service access (Knutson Dam on Cass Lake).
How big do walleye get in Kitchi Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Kitchi Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Kitchi Lake in 2024, the most recent of 9 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 Kitchi Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Kitchi Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report