Minnesota · St. Louis County
Little Trout Lake Fishing guide
Little Trout Lake sits in St. Louis County, Minnesota, and covers 272 acres, reaching 95 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 21.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 7 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeFair numbers1.8per gill net23"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 22 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 22 fish
2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2014Lengths measured · 23 fish
2009Lengths measured · 15 fish
2004Smallmouth bassPresent2.9per gill net14"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 35 fish
2023Lengths measured · 25 fish
2014Lengths measured · 26 fish
2009Lengths measured · 12 fish
2004Present in recent DNR surveys.
Rock bassOne of the best around10.3per gill net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 41 fish
2023Lengths measured · 37 fish
2014Lengths measured · 24 fish
2009Lengths measured · 51 fish
1999Rates 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 Little Trout Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 21.5 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. On a lake that drops to 95 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.
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 21.5 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 95 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
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 | Smallmouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 28" | 18" | 39" |
| 2014 | 24" | 17" | 32" |
| 2009 | 29" | 18" | 34" |
| 2004 | 28" | 18" | — |
| 1999 | 28" | 18" | 31" |
| 1994 | 26" | 15" | 34" |
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
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Little Trout Lake is a 272 acre lake located in Voyageurs National Park. Little Trout Lake has a maximum depth of 95 feet, and good water clarity. The Lake is accessed via a short but fairly steep portage between Grassy Bay of Sand Point Lake and the south end of Little Trout Lake. This diverse fishery supports populations of several species of gamefish that may be of interest to anglers. The deep, cold water supports Lake Trout and Cisco, while the warmer waters hold quality populations of Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike. To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and exotic viruses, anglers are only allowed to use artificial baits. In addition, no privately-owned watercraft (boats, canoes, kayaks, etc.) or float planes are allowed on interior lakes such as Little Trout. A standard survey was completed in Little Trout Lake in Late August of 2023.
Special regulations protecting Lake Trout were enacted in 2015. The regulation prohibits harvest of Lake Trout, while still allowing catch and release angling during the inland summer and winter seasons. All other species follow statewide regulations for inland waters. Previous management plans have identified several long-range goals, including providing a healthy, self-sustaining fish community with an emphasis on Lake Trout as the top predator and other native species. Lake Trout abundance should be at least 1.0 fish per deep gill net set.
Read the full DNR narrative
Lake Trout gill net catch rate was 0.6 fish per net, which was above average for recent surveys. Total length ranged from 18.3 to 21.1 inches and the mean length was 19.7 inches. Average weight was 2.9 pounds which was below average compared to previous surveys. A total of three year-classes were present and ranged from 3-5 years. All Lake Trout sampled during the survey had a clipped adipose fin identifying them as stocked fish. Annual yearling Lake Trout stocking was resumed in 2020 after previous surveys failed to sample Lake Trout after stocking was ceased in 2006. Although present in low numbers, Lake Trout in Little Trout Lake provide a unique fishing opportunity.
Walleye gill net catch rates were 2.5 fish per net in shallow gill nets and 1.5 fish per net in deep gill nets. Catch rate in shallow gill nets were below average and catch rate in deep gill nets were slightly above average compared to previous surveys. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 13.2 to 24.0 inches, with a mean of 19.5 inches. Total length in deep gill nets ranged from 20.8 to 28.3 inches, with a mean of 24.7 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 2.6 pounds, which was slightly below average. Average weight in deep gill net was 5.0 pounds, which was above average. A total of eight year-classes were present and ranged from 2-22 years. Walleye growth was above average, and there are good numbers of large Walleye providing anglers with a shot at a trophy.
Smallmouth Bass gill net catch rates were 5.8 fish per net in shallow gill nets and 1.5 fish per net in deep gill nets. Catch rate in shallow gill nets was average compared to previous surveys. Catch rate in deep gill nets was above average compared to previous surveys. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 5.7 to 18.1 inches, with a mean of 12.5 inches. Total length in deep gill nets ranged from 12.8 to 18.0 inches, with a mean of 16.0 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 1.1 pounds which was similar to previous surveys. Mean weight in deep gill nets was 2.0 pounds which was similar to previous surveys. A total of 14 year-classes were present and ranged 1-22 years. Smallmouth Bass growth was average, but there are good numbers of larger fish present to provide a good fishing opportunity.
Northern Pike abundance is low in Little Trout Lake but the Northern Pike present are large. One Northern Pike was sampled during the survey and had a total length of 39.3 inches and weighed 15.2 pounds. Northern Pike numbers have been declining in recent surveys, but the Northern Pike present provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a trophy.
Cisco, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass are also present and provide quality forage for top predators in Little Trout Lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Little Trout Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Little Trout 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
- National Park Service access: The lake is in Voyageurs National Park. A portage trail extends to Little Trout Lake from Grassy Bay on Sand Point Lake
DNR bathymetry
Little Trout Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Sand Point Lake · 8,527 ac · 1.5 mi
- O'Leary Lake · 202 ac · 1.6 mi
- Mukooda Lake · 774 ac · 4.2 mi
- Spring Lake · 219 ac · 5.2 mi
- Johnson Lake · 1,737 ac · 5.4 mi
- Tooth Lake · 59 ac · 5.5 mi
- Net Lake · 70 ac · 6.3 mi
- Namakan Lake · 24,066 ac · 7.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake reaches 95 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 42.8 ft; about 29% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake covers 272 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Little Trout Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Little Trout Lake average 21.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Little Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Little Trout Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Little Trout Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Little Trout Lake have a public access?
Yes. Little Trout Lake has one public access site: National Park Service access (The lake is in Voyageurs National Park. A portage trail extends to Little Trout Lake from Grassy Bay on Sand Point Lake).
How big do walleye get in Little Trout Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Little Trout Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Little Trout Lake in 2023, the most recent of 7 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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