Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Lower Cullen Lake Fishing guide
Lower Cullen Lake covers 560 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 39 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 15.5 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeFair numbers2.1per gill net23"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 20 fish
2021Lengths measured · 20 fish
2015Lengths measured · 24 fish
2009Lengths measured · 26 fish
2003Largemouth bassGood numbers56.7per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 130 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 130 fish
2021Lengths measured · 117 fish
2015Lengths measured · 103 fish
2009Lengths measured · 201 fish
2003Smallmouth bassJust a few4.8per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 10 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1 fish
2009Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2003Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
1998Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few4.4per gill net23"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 40 fish
2021Lengths measured · 41 fish
2015Lengths measured · 22 fish
2009Lengths measured · 61 fish
2003BluegillJust a few20.9per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 230 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 230 fish
2021Lengths measured · 161 fish
2015Lengths measured · 322 fish
2009Lengths measured · 457 fish
2003CrappieJust a few0.1per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 10 fish
2021Lengths measured · 19 fish
2015Lengths measured · 5 fish
2009Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 20 fish
2003Yellow perchGood numbers5per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 48 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 48 fish
2021Lengths measured · 9 fish
2015Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 96 fish
2009Lengths measured · 74 fish
2003Rock bassExcellent numbers3.6per gill net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 41 fish
2021Lengths measured · 14 fish
2015Lengths measured · 13 fish
2009Lengths measured · 19 fish
2003Rates 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 Lower Cullen 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 15.5 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.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 15.5 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.
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 | Walleye | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17" | 28" | 15" |
| 2015 | 18" | 28" | — |
| 2009 | 19" | 28" | 13" |
| 2003 | 19" | 30" | 20" |
| 1998 | 8" | 21" | 3" |
| 1993 | 1" | 18" | — |
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
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
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 2021 survey
Walleye are not currently stocked into Lower Cullen, but some fish may enter from connected Middle Cullen which is stocked. The catch rate was low in 2021 at 2.1/gill net. Walleye were nice size with an average length of 23.1" and all of the fish measuring over 17".
Northern Pike were caught in typical numbers for this type of lake (4.4/gill net). Average length was 24.5" and 45% of the fish were within the 22-26" protected slot with another 30% over 26".
The Largemouth Bass population looked good, with a spring electrofishing catch rate of 106.1/hr. Average size was 10.9" and 40% of the fish were 12" or larger. Fish up to 16.9" were netted. Smallmouth Bass were present as well (8.1/hr), with an average length of 10.0" and fish up to 14.4".
The panfish numbers were mixed, with Black Crappie showing average numbers of decent size fish (80% were 8" or larger) and Bluegill numbers being average (20.9/trap net) but small, with an average size of 4.4" and none over 7".
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lower Cullen Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lower Cullen 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
- Lower Cullen Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lower Cullen Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Edna Lake · 156 ac · 1.2 mi
- West Twin Lake · 128 ac · 1.3 mi
- Nisswa Lake · 219 ac · 1.4 mi
- East Twin Lake · 163 ac · 1.4 mi
- Fawn Lake · 64 ac · 1.5 mi
- Middle Cullen Lake · 405 ac · 1.6 mi
- Clark Lake · 305 ac · 2.2 mi
- Roy Lake · 320 ac · 2.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lower Cullen Lake?
Lower Cullen Lake reaches 39 ft at its deepest point; about 32% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lower Cullen Lake?
Lower Cullen Lake covers 560 acres with about 3.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lower Cullen Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lower Cullen Lake average 15.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lower Cullen Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lower Cullen Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Lower Cullen Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Lower Cullen Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lower Cullen Lake has one public access site: Lower Cullen Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Lower Cullen Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 17"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Lower Cullen Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lower Cullen Lake in 2021, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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