Minnesota · Cass County
Lind Lake Fishing guide
Lind Lake sits in Cass County, Minnesota, and covers 440 acres, reaching 27 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14.9 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers3per gill net18"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2019Lengths measured · 7 fish
2014Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 38 fish
2004Northern pikeOne of the best around18.5per gill net20"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 112 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 112 fish
2024Lengths measured · 150 fish
2019Lengths measured · 178 fish
2014Lengths measured · 110 fish
2004BluegillJust a few9.3per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 135 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 135 fish
2024Lengths measured · 89 fish
2019Lengths measured · 55 fish
2014Lengths measured · 257 fish
2004CrappieJust a few0.2per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 19 fish
2024Lengths measured · 14 fish
2019Lengths measured · 7 fish
2014Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2004Yellow perchExcellent numbers21.5per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 129 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 129 fish
2024Lengths measured · 101 fish
2019Lengths measured · 89 fish
2014Lengths measured · 182 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 Lind Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 14.9 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.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.9 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28" | 23" | 17" |
| 2019 | 31" | 23" | 17" |
| 2014 | 33" | 26" | 19" |
| 2004 | 29" | 27" | 20" |
| 1999 | 29" | 28" | 11" |
| 1993 | 26" | 29" | 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 · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 251,865 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 249,255 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 250,425 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 250,170 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 251,165 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Lind Lake (DOW# 11-0367-00; Lake Class 34) is a 440-acre lake with 249 littoral acres, 5.61 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 27 feet located east of Backus, MN. There is a DNR owned public access on the eastern side of the lake. Lind Lake in on the Pine River a state Water Trail Canoe Route. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Lind Lake is in Lake Class 34; lakes in this class are shallow, turbid, and regularly shaped. Other area lakes in this class include Middle Sucker (DOW# 11-0317, Lake Class 34) and Rice Lake (DOW# 11-0162, Lake Class 34). The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Walleye and secondarily for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch.
Lind Lake is primarily known for quality panfish by anglers. Black crappie abundance is moderate with fish from 5 to 13 inches sampled. Bluegill were sampled in good numbers and size quality is excellent, meeting both management goals for size and abundance. Bluegill ranged from 3 to 10 inches with an average length of 7 inches and 50 percent of the sample measured 8 inches or greater in length. A special regulation for Bluegill (daily limit of 5 Sunfish) was implemented in 2008 to maintain quality sized Bluegill and spread harvest among anglers. Largemouth Bass abundance is low and only six fish were sampled in this survey. Walleye abundance is moderate and below the management goal of four fish per gillnet despite fry stocking beginning in 2016. Lengths of sampled fish ranged from 13 to 22 inches with an average length of 18 inches. Northern Pike are very abundant exceeding the maximum management goal. Most Northern Pike are small in size averaging 20 inches long with fish from 11 to 28 inches present. Anglers are encouraged to keep Northern Pike under 22 inches in this lake. Yellow Perch are abundant meeting the management goal. Most perch are small but provide good forage for predator fish with Yellow Perch up to 10 inches long present.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other fish species sampled include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead.
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Lind Lake, however Zebra Mussels and Curly Leaf Pondweed have been found in upstream Pine Mountain Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lind Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lind 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
- Lindsey Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lind Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bowen Lake · 182 ac · 1 mi
- Sanborn Lake · 220 ac · 1.3 mi
- Johnson Lake · 90 ac · 2 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 260 ac · 2.3 mi
- Pine Mountain Lake · 1,617 ac · 2.6 mi
- Willard Lake · 8 ac · 2.7 mi
- Ox Yoke Lake · 185 ac · 3.5 mi
- Hattie Lake · 588 ac · 3.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lind Lake?
Lind Lake reaches 27 ft at its deepest point; about 57% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lind Lake?
Lind Lake covers 440 acres with about 5.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lind Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lind Lake average 14.9 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lind Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lind Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lind Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lind Lake has one public access site: Lindsey Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Lind Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Lind Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lind 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 Lind Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Lind Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report