Minnesota · Aitkin County
Lone Lake Fishing guide
Lone Lake sits in Aitkin County, Minnesota, and covers 434 acres, reaching 60 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 20.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Just a few0.8per gill net19"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 17 fish
2019Lengths measured · 5 fish
2017Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2015Largemouth bassOne of the best around115per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 262 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 262 fish
2024Lengths measured · 165 fish
2019Lengths measured · 12 fish
2015Lengths measured · 33 fish
2010Northern pikeGood numbers13.2per gill net18"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 137 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 137 fish
2024Lengths measured · 94 fish
2019Lengths measured · 72 fish
2015Lengths measured · 104 fish
2010BluegillJust a few14.1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 228 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 228 fish
2024Lengths measured · 166 fish
2019Lengths measured · 131 fish
2015Lengths measured · 123 fish
2010CrappieJust a few0.9per trap net11"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 38 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 38 fish
2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2019Lengths measured · 25 fish
2015Lengths measured · 9 fish
2010Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchFair numbers1.7per gill net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2015Lengths measured · 26 fish
2010Rock bassExcellent numbers4.7per gill net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 79 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 79 fish
2024Lengths measured · 29 fish
2019Lengths measured · 30 fish
2015Lengths measured · 37 fish
2010Rates 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 Lone Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 20.6 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 60 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 20.6 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 60 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.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike | Walleye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19" | 33" | 30" |
| 2019 | 16" | 35" | 24" |
| 2017 | — | — | 10" |
| 2015 | 14" | 36" | 22" |
| 2010 | 16" | 36" | 31" |
| 2005 | 15" | 29" | 23" |
| 1995 | 16" | 31" | 23" |
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:
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
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
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 | 741 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 74,000 fry · 148 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,637 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 74,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 74,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,960 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 74,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 74,000 fry · 562 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 5,424 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lone Lake was conducted on 06/25/2024 by Aitkin Area Fisheries 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 ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. One station was not seined due to unstable footing. Nearshore sampling captured 23 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Kilifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 06/10/2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biotic integrity (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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Black Bullhead). 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.
Read the full DNR narrative
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Lone Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score exceeding the impairment threshold, and equal to the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Lone Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Lone Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lone Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lone 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
- Lone Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lone Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Ripple Lake · 631 ac · 1.5 mi
- Elm Island Lake · 520 ac · 2 mi
- Spirit Lake · 523 ac · 2.2 mi
- Diamond Lake · 82 ac · 2.3 mi
- Hanging Kettle Lake · 318 ac · 2.9 mi
- Hickory Lake · 212 ac · 3.5 mi
- Nord Lake · 418 ac · 3.5 mi
- Four Lake · 137 ac · 3.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lone Lake?
Lone Lake reaches 60 ft at its deepest point; about 34% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lone Lake?
Lone Lake covers 434 acres with about 5.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lone Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lone Lake average 20.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lone Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lone Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lone Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lone Lake has one public access site: Lone Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Lone Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 19"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Lone Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lone Lake in 2024, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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