Minnesota · Clay County
Lee Lake Fishing guide
Lee Lake covers 158 acres in Clay County, Minnesota, reaching 36 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 10.5 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 2025Fair numbers1.8per gill net19"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2019Lengths measured · 18 fish
2015Lengths measured · 23 fish
2005Northern pikeFair numbers8per gill net20"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 57 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023Lengths measured · 9 fish
2023Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 48 fish
2022Lengths measured · 6 fish
2019Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 65 fish
2015BluegillLast stocked 2024Just a few16.8per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 197 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 197 fish
2022Lengths measured · 212 fish
2019Lengths measured · 111 fish
2015Lengths measured · 292 fish
2005CrappieLast stocked 2024Just a few1.9per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 23 fish
2022Lengths measured · 18 fish
2019Lengths measured · 238 fish
2015Lengths measured · 1 fish
2005Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchOne of the best around36per gill net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 276 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023Lengths measured · 19 fish
2023Lengths measured · 257 fish
2022Lengths measured · 68 fish
2019Lengths measured · 262 fish
2015Rates 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 Lee Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10.5 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 10.5 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.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | 22" | — |
| 2022 | 24" | 27" | 19" |
| 2019 | 26" | 19" | 12" |
| 2015 | 27" | 33" | 17" |
| 2005 | 25" | 35" | 16" |
| 2000 | 25" | 33" | 16" |
| 1995 | 24" | 28" | 11" |
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
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
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 | 461 fingerlings · 22 yearlings · 508 adults |
| 2024 | Black Crappie | 7 adults |
| 2024 | Bluegill Sunfish | 206 adults |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 26 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 86,000 fry |
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 70 fingerlings · 7 adults |
| 2023 | Bluegill Sunfish | 15 fingerlings · 68 adults |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 39 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,325 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,044 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,580 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 849 fingerlings · 12 yearlings · 53 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Lee Lake is a 134-acre lake located in eastern Clay County. Some new development of lakeshore has occurred since 2011, but overall, the shoreline is the same as it was in the 1960's. Anglers reported poor fishing on Lee Lake and questioned the possibility of winterkill occurring during the winter of 2022-2023. This targeted fisheries survey was completed in August 2023 to assess the status of the fish populations.
One gill net and five special trap nets were used to sample Lee Lake. Both gears captured Black Bullhead, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. The average size of Northern Pike sampled was 16 inches while the average size of Yellow Perch was 6.5 inches. No Bluegill or Largemouth Bass were captured or observed in shallow water. As a result, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie were reintroduced during 2023. Angling opportunities for Northern Pike are still available, but it will take a few years to have quality fishing for other species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lee Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lee 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
- Lee Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lee Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Sand Lake · 311 ac · 3.6 mi
- Silver Lake · 115 ac · 4.4 mi
- Bijou Lake · 225 ac · 5.5 mi
- Fifteen Lake · 154 ac · 6.5 mi
- Turtle Lake · 196 ac · 6.6 mi
- Stakke Lake · 497 ac · 7 mi
- Upper Cormorant Lake · 974 ac · 7.7 mi
- East LaBelle Lake · 229 ac · 8.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lee Lake?
Lee Lake reaches 36 ft at its deepest point; about 54% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lee Lake?
Lee Lake covers 158 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lee Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lee Lake average 10.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lee Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Lee Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Lee Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lee Lake has one public access site: Lee Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lee Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Lee Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lee Lake in 2023, 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 Lee Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Lee Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report