Minnesota · Polk County
Maple Lake Fishing guide
Maple Lake covers 1,641 acres in Polk County, Minnesota, reaching 14 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 4.7 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers10.5per gill net14"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 199 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 128 fish
2024Lengths measured · 71 fish
2021Lengths measured · 64 fish
2015Lengths measured · 89 fish
2010Northern pikeOne of the best around21.7per gill net21"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 438 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 127 fish
2024Lengths measured · 311 fish
2021Lengths measured · 148 fish
2015Lengths measured · 111 fish
2010BluegillGood numbers65.3per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1749 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 348 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1401 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1374 fish
2015Lengths measured · 466 fish
2010CrappieJust a few4.6per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 102 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 34 fish
2024Lengths measured · 68 fish
2021Lengths measured · 85 fish
2015Lengths measured · 38 fish
2010Yellow perchGood numbers5.6per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 101 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 97 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 51 fish
2015Lengths measured · 67 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 Maple 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. With 96% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 14-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- 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. With 96% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops. A 14-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28" | 36" | 15" |
| 2021 | 27" | 35" | — |
| 2015 | 28" | 34" | 17" |
| 2010 | 29" | 33" | 13" |
| 2005 | 29" | 28" | — |
| 2000 | 29" | 32" | 12" |
| 1995 | 30" | 34" | 7" |
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
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
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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 | 1,575,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,576,239 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,759,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,575,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,575,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,575,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,500,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 5,249 fingerlings · 1,955 yearlings · 499 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 15,372 fingerlings · 1,864 yearlings · 511 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Maple Lake is a 1,641-acre lake located in northern Polk County, two miles south of Mentor. The maximum depth is 15 feet and the shoreline is considered highly developed with homes and cabins. The lake receives heavy recreational use and angling pressure from the surrounding area. There are two public access points, one on the west end of the lake and another on the east end adjacent to the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge. Maple Lake's fish community provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. This survey utilized only gill nets to evaluate the Walleye population in Maple Lake in June 2024.
Anglers will find a high number of Northern Pike in Maple Lake. Most fish will be small, but there is a good opportunity to catch quality pike. The average size of the pike captured was 23 inches, but one 37-inch fish was measured. Additionally, 25% of the pike surveyed were over 26 inches. Walleye numbers were well above average for the lake and the average size was about 13 inches. About 25% of the Walleye captured in 2024 were over 15 inches and 15% were over 20 inches. There should be good numbers of Walleyes in the lake for years to come. Bluegill numbers continue to be good in the lake with plenty of fish over eight inches available for anglers to catch. Black Crappie up to 12 inches long were measured and in moderate numbers. Other fish species observed were Largemouth Bass, Freshwater Drum, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Maple Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Maple 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
- Maple Lake East (trailer launch)
- Maple Lake West (trailer launch)
- Maple Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Maple Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Crystal Lake · 118 ac · 3.6 mi
- Union Lake · 888 ac · 5.8 mi
- Cameron Lake · 225 ac · 6.8 mi
- Sarah Lake · 366 ac · 7 mi
- Badger Lake · 256 ac · 7.3 mi
- Hill River Lake · 102 ac · 16.7 mi
- Store Lake · 50 ac · 19.1 mi
- Sand Hill Lake · 479 ac · 22.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Maple Lake?
Maple Lake reaches 14 ft at its deepest point; about 96% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Maple Lake?
Maple Lake covers 1,641 acres with about 19.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Maple Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Maple Lake average 4.7 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Maple Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Maple Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Maple Lake have a public access?
Yes. Maple Lake has 3 public access sites, including Maple Lake East (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Maple 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 1995.
When was Maple Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Maple Lake in 2024, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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