Minnesota · Pope County
Lake Reno Fishing guide
Lake Reno sits in Pope County, Minnesota, and covers 3,809 acres, reaching 23 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 6.5 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 16 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Elite fishery13.7per gill net19"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 346 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 221 fish
2024Lengths measured · 125 fish
2022Lengths measured · 234 fish
2018Lengths measured · 241 fish
2014Largemouth bassFair numbers29per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 89 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2024Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 80 fish
2022Lengths measured · 91 fish
2018Lengths measured · 76 fish
2014Smallmouth bassJust a few2.5per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 79 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 54 fish
2022Lengths measured · 2 fish
2014Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few4.5per gill net22"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 111 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 66 fish
2024Lengths measured · 45 fish
2022Lengths measured · 62 fish
2018Lengths measured · 59 fish
2014BluegillJust a few18.7per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 954 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 92 fish
2024Lengths measured · 268 fish
2023Lengths measured · 594 fish
2022Lengths measured · 881 fish
2018CrappieJust a few0.2per trap net11"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 86 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2024Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 24 fish
2023Lengths measured · 54 fish
2022Lengths measured · 194 fish
2018Yellow perchExcellent numbers21.2per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 517 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 290 fish
2024Lengths measured · 227 fish
2022Lengths measured · 451 fish
2018Lengths measured · 463 fish
2014Rock bassGood numbers3per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 79 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2024Lengths measured · 53 fish
2022Lengths measured · 31 fish
2018Lengths measured · 27 fish
2014Rates 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 Reno 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.
- 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.
- 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 | 26" | 17" | 18" |
| 2022 | 26" | 18" | 17" |
| 2018 | 25" | 17" | — |
| 2014 | 28" | 18" | 10" |
| 2010 | 27" | 17" | — |
| 2006 | 27" | 18" | — |
| 2002 | 28" | 18" | — |
| 1998 | 28" | 18" | — |
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile 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 | 2,029,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 2,029,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,317,757 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,029,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,029,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 2,029,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted gill net survey was conducted during summer 2024 to assess the Walleye population. Data from this survey will contribute to a statewide study examining the impacts of zebra mussels on Walleye populations.
Gill net catches averaged 18.4 fish/net, a substantial increase from the record-low level documented in the 2022 survey. Increased abundance is due to strong 2022 and 2023 year classes, which accounted for over 50% of the gill net sample. The length range of Walleyes sampled was 7.5 to 26.6 inches. Mean size was 17.3 inches and 2.1 pounds. Fourteen year classes were represented with maximum age extending to age 17.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lake Reno fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake Reno 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
- Reno Lake (NE) (trailer launch)
- Reno Lake (S) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lake Reno depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Ann Lake · 370 ac · 2.6 mi
- Turtle Lake · 218 ac · 2.7 mi
- Maple Lake · 831 ac · 3.5 mi
- Lake Andrew · 923 ac · 5.8 mi
- Pocket Lake · 263 ac · 5.9 mi
- Villard Lake · 544 ac · 6.6 mi
- Pelican Lake · 518 ac · 6.7 mi
- Union Lake · 107 ac · 6.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Reno?
Lake Reno reaches 23 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 17 ft; about 53% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lake Reno?
Lake Reno covers 3,809 acres with about 11.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lake Reno?
DNR Secchi readings on Lake Reno average 6.5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lake Reno?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lake Reno stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Lake Reno have a public access?
Yes. Lake Reno has 2 public access sites, including Reno Lake (NE) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lake Reno?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Lake Reno last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Reno in 2024, the most recent of 16 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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