Minnesota · Stevens County
Lake Hattie Fishing guide
Lake Hattie is a 459-acre lake in Stevens County, Minnesota, reaching 9 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 2.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025One of the best around15per gill net16"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 181 fish
Recent · 2017 + 2022Lengths measured · 83 fish
2022Lengths measured · 74 fish
2019Lengths measured · 98 fish
2017Lengths measured · 10 fish
2011No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers6.5per gill net23"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 42 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 1 fish
2019Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 42 fish
2017Lengths measured · 82 fish
2011Lengths measured · 27 fish
2006No recent survey rating.
CrappieJust a few9per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 81 fish
Recent · 2017 + 2022Lengths measured · 1 fish
2022Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2019Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 80 fish
2017Lengths measured · 364 fish
2011Yellow perchLast stocked 2023Just a few0.5per gill net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 205 fish
Recent · 2017 + 2022Lengths measured · 202 fish
2022Lengths measured · 3 fish
2019Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2017Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2011Only 4 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 Lake Hattie through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.3 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 9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Crappie
- Spring
- Crappie are up in the back bays and against wood in a few feet of water, spawning shallower than most people fish for them. In 2.3 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Crappie are pulling off the bays to the first deep weed edge and brush, still reachable shallow at dusk.
- Summer
- Crappie are over the basin of a stratified lake, well off any structure, which is why summer netting barely catches them inshore. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Crappie are schooled along the deep weedline and the basin edge, pushing shallow to feed at dusk while the water still turns over slowly. A 9-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 | Crappie | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25" | 11" | 11" |
| 2019 | 22" | 11" | 4" |
| 2017 | 19" | 12" | 9" |
| 2011 | 21" | 13" | 9" |
| 2006 | 22" | 10" | 10" |
| 2001 | 23" | — | 12" |
| 1996 | 21" | — | — |
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 · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Crappie · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
Crappie · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
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 | 232,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 459,000 fry |
| 2023 | Yellow Perch | 11,520 yearlings · 300 adults |
| 2021 | Walleye | 459,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 464,000 fry |
| 2019 | Yellow Perch | 19,919 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 464,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2022-2023 winter. Despite winter operation of an aeration system, trap netting results suggested winterkill severity was high. It is worth noting that low oxygen levels were already being observed in late December, prior to the aeration system being turned on. A few large Bigmouth Buffalo and an abundant Black Bullhead population were the only fishes sampled. No gamefish species were collected. Walleye fry and adult Yellow Perch were stocked in spring 2023 to help restore this fishery.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lake Hattie fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake Hattie 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
- Hattie Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lake Hattie depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Dry Wood Lake · 404 ac · 8.2 mi
- Oliver (west portion) Lake · 218 ac · 12.4 mi
- Artichoke Lake · 1,971 ac · 12.7 mi
- Long Lake · 395 ac · 13.1 mi
- Lake Oliver · 686 ac · 13.5 mi
- Oliver (east portion) Lake · 467 ac · 13.5 mi
- Page Lake · 375 ac · 13.6 mi
- Long Lake · 620 ac · 14.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Hattie?
Lake Hattie reaches 9 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 7 ft; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lake Hattie?
Lake Hattie covers 459 acres with about 5.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lake Hattie?
DNR Secchi readings on Lake Hattie average 2.3 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lake Hattie?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Lake Hattie stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Lake Hattie have a public access?
Yes. Lake Hattie has one public access site: Hattie Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lake Hattie?
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 1996.
When was Lake Hattie last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Hattie in 2023, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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