Minnesota · Douglas County
Lake Latoka Fishing guide
Lake Latoka is a 767-acre lake in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 108 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.3per gill net19"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 50 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 6 fish
2022Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 44 fish
2021Lengths measured · 82 fish
2015Lengths measured · 29 fish
2009Largemouth bassJust a few6.5per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 4 fish
2022Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 31 fish
2021Lengths measured · 25 fish
2015Lengths measured · 65 fish
2009Northern pikeGood numbers14.9per gill net17"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 200 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 7 fish
2022Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 193 fish
2021Lengths measured · 231 fish
2015Lengths measured · 225 fish
2009BluegillFair numbers40.7per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1022 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 535 fish
2022Lengths measured · 487 fish
2021Lengths measured · 842 fish
2015Lengths measured · 252 fish
2009CrappieJust a few0.7per trap net10"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 27 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 5 fish
2022Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 22 fish
2021Lengths measured · 26 fish
2015Lengths measured · 17 fish
2009Yellow perchJust a few0.1per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 6 fish
2022Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2015Lengths measured · 5 fish
2009Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rock bassGood numbers2.4per gill net5"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 43 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 7 fish
2022Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 36 fish
2021Lengths measured · 85 fish
2015Lengths measured · 56 fish
2009Rates 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 Latoka through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 14 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 108 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14 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 108 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.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19" | 27" | 9" |
| 2021 | 30" | 29" | 18" |
| 2015 | 32" | 26" | 18" |
| 2009 | 28" | 28" | 18" |
| 2005 | 29" | 29" | 25" |
| 2001 | 33" | 30" | 18" |
| 1997 | 28" | 28" | 17" |
| 1993 | 29" | 26" | 19" |
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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse 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 | Walleye | 538,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 6,456 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 538,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 269,000 fry · 2,690 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 269,000 fry · 4,842 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 8,070 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 269,000 fry · 9,415 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 244 fingerlings · 2,059 yearlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 246 yearlings · 787 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Latoka Lake was conducted on July 18-20, 2022, by DNR 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 all 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations and a 15-foot seine was used at six stations. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).
A summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff on July 18-20, 2022. Twelve trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 12 species of fish, including two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Common Carp and Green Sunfish).
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net were combined with h gill net data from a 2021 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., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Blackchin Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Fathead Minnow, 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.
Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Latoka Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that is above the general use threshold determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Long Prairie River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lake Latoka fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake Latoka 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
- Lakota Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Lakota Lake (S) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lake Latoka depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Mud Lake · 86 ac · 1.7 mi
- Lottie Lake · 46 ac · 1.9 mi
- Lake Winona · 213 ac · 1.9 mi
- Lake Cowdrey · 243 ac · 2 mi
- Lake Brophy · 297 ac · 2.2 mi
- Lake Mina · 411 ac · 2.3 mi
- Lake Stony · 87 ac · 2.4 mi
- Cork Lake · 101 ac · 2.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Latoka?
Lake Latoka reaches 108 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 42 ft; about 35% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lake Latoka?
Lake Latoka covers 767 acres with about 8.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lake Latoka?
DNR Secchi readings on Lake Latoka average 14 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lake Latoka?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lake Latoka stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lake Latoka have a public access?
Yes. Lake Latoka has 2 public access sites, including Lakota Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Lake Latoka?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 30"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Lake Latoka last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Latoka in 2022, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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