Minnesota · St. Louis County
Loon Lake Fishing guide
Loon Lake is a 2,498-acre lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, reaching 76 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 6 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeExcellent numbers9.7per gill net12"Typical22"Biggest
Lengths measured · 120 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 120 fish
2022Lengths measured · 67 fish
2015Lengths measured · 64 fish
2008Lengths measured · 81 fish
2001Smallmouth bassPresent2.6per gill net15"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 33 fish
2022Lengths measured · 6 fish
2015Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 39 fish
2008Lengths measured · 12 fish
2001Northern pikeJust a few3.4per gill net22"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 45 fish
2022Lengths measured · 53 fish
2015Lengths measured · 48 fish
2008Lengths measured · 43 fish
2001Yellow perchFair numbers1.7per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 21 fish
2022Lengths measured · 29 fish
2015Lengths measured · 105 fish
2008Lengths measured · 15 fish
2001Last recorded in the 2008 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassGood numbers1.3per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 31 fish
2022Lengths measured · 8 fish
2015Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2008Lengths measured · 7 fish
2001Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates 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 Loon Lake 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. On a lake that drops to 76 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.
- 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 76 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 22" | 20" | 31" |
| 2015 | 21" | 17" | 25" |
| 2008 | 21" | 17" | 38" |
| 2001 | 25" | 20" | 37" |
| 1996 | 27" | 16" | 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
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
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 2022 survey
Loon Lake is located on the border between Minnesota and the Province of Ontario. There is no road access, thus, anglers typically gain access by traveling by boat from road access points located on Crane Lake. Loon Lake is a 2,498 acre lake with a maximum depth of 76 feet; 2,017 acres are in Minnesota. Located 8 miles southeast of the Town of Crane Lake, the lake has a rocky irregular shoreline, many islands, and contains tannin stained water with low fertility, typical of Canadian Shield lakes. The U.S. portion of the lake lies entirely within the Superior National Forest Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, so human development is limited. The Forest Service maintains several campsites on the lake and portage trails to surrounding lakes.
Loon Lake has no special regulations. Fishing regulations follow the Canada-Minnesota border waters regulations. Previous management plans identify several long range goals, including maintaining a native fish community with Walleye as the top predator.
Read the full DNR narrative
A total of 13 species were caught during the 2022 fisheries assessment. Walleye and Northern Pike were the most common species captured. Other commonly sampled species included Cisco, White Sucker, Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch.
Walleye abundance was 9.7 fish per net, which was above the management goal and above average for similar lakes. This is greater than the historical mean of 5.8 fish per net and was the highest catch rate ever recorded on Loon Lake. Length ranged from 7.4 to 22.3 inches, with an average of 13.1 inches. Average weight was 0.8 pounds, which was below average for similar lakes. A total of 11 year-classes were present and ranged from 1-12 years. Even though the average weight was less than average for similar lakes, there are still good quality Walleye in Loon Lake. There are good numbers of 14" - 20" Walleyes present providing good fishing opportunities.
Smallmouth Bass abundance was 2.6 fish per net, which was well above average for similar lakes. This is four times greater than the historic mean of 0.6 fish per net and was the highest catch rate ever recorded on Loon Lake. Length ranged from 10.0 to 20.1 inches, with an average of 15.4 inches. Average weight was 2.1 pounds, which was well above average for similar lakes. A total of 11 year-classes were present and ranged from 2-16 years. Overall, the Smallmouth Bass population in Loon Lake looks healthy. There are good numbers of 12" - 20" Smallmouth Bass present providing good fishing opportunities.
Black Crappie abundance was 0.4 fish per net, which was below average for similar lakes. This is less than the historic mean of 1.4 fish per net and was the lowest catch rate recorded on Loon Lake. Length ranged from 6.3 to 11.1 inches, with an average of 8.5 inches. Average weight was 0.4 pounds, which was slightly above average for similar lakes. A total of four year-classes were present and ranged from 2-11 years. Fishing opportunities for Black Crappie are likely limited due to low abundance.
Northern Pike abundance was 3.4 fish per net, which was above average for similar lakes. This is slightly less than the Loon Lake historical average of 3.6 fish per net. Length ranged from 17.3 to 31.1 inches, with an average of 23.3 inches. Average weight was 2.6 pounds, which was slightly below average for similar lakes. A total of seven year-classes were present and ranged from 2-8 years. There are good numbers of Northern Pike under 30" providing good fishing opportunities with the potential of catching a Northern Pike over 30".
Sauger abundance was 0.3 fish per net, which was below average for similar lakes. This is slightly above the Loon Lake historical average of 0.2 fish per net. Length ranged from 7.9 to 14.1 inches, with an average of 10.5 inches. Average weight was 0.4 pounds, which was below average for similar lakes. A total of three year-classes were present and ranged from 2-9 years. Fishing opportunities for Sauger are likely limited due to low abundance, and are likely incidental catches while Walleye fishing.
Yellow Perch abundance was 1.7 fish per net, which was below average for similar lakes. This is above the historic average of 0.9 fish per net and was the second highest catch rate recorded on Loon Lake. Length ranged from 5.5 to 7.3 inches, with an average of 6.3 inches. Average weight was 0.1 pounds, which was below the average for similar lakes.
Yellow perch, Cisco, Lake Whitefish, and White Sucker provide quality forage for top predators within Loon Lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Loon Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Loon 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
- DNR access: Mechanical or carry-in portage at Loon Falls.
- US Forest Service access: It is approx. 6.3 mi. from the Echo Tr. through the Pauness Lakes to Loon Lake. There are 3 sets of rapids to portage around.
- DNR access: A mechanical portage operates between Lac La Croix and Loon Lake. A carry-in portage trail is also available.
- US Forest Service access: The trail from Heritage Creek is approx. 0.8 miles long.
- US Forest Service access: The portage trail from Slim Lake is approx. 0.5 miles long.
DNR bathymetry
Loon Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Loon Lake · 167 ac · 2.3 mi
- Heritage Lake · 207 ac · 2.6 mi
- Lower Pauness Lake · 171 ac · 3.5 mi
- Upper Pauness Lake · 192 ac · 3.5 mi
- Shell Lake · 493 ac · 3.8 mi
- Fat Lake · 108 ac · 3.9 mi
- Lynx Lake · 291 ac · 3.9 mi
- Little Hustler Lake · 69 ac · 4.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Loon Lake?
Loon Lake reaches 76 ft at its deepest point.
How big is Loon Lake?
Loon Lake covers 2,498 acres with about 48.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Loon Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Loon Lake average 8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Loon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass, sauger.
Is Loon Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Loon Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Loon Lake have a public access?
Yes. Loon Lake has 5 public access sites, including a DNR access (Mechanical or carry-in portage at Loon Falls.).
How big do walleye get in Loon Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 22"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Loon Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Loon Lake in 2022, the most recent of 6 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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