Minnesota · Becker County
Middle Cormorant Lake Fishing guide
Middle Cormorant Lake covers 373 acres in Becker County, Minnesota, reaching 40 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 10.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2023Fair numbers3.3per gill net19"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 41 fish
2021Lengths measured · 35 fish
2014Lengths measured · 25 fish
2010Lengths measured · 34 fish
2004Largemouth bassPresent2.7per gill net13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 33 fish
2021Lengths measured · 24 fish
2014Lengths measured · 25 fish
2010Lengths measured · 17 fish
2004Northern pikeFair numbers6.3per gill net20"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 64 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 64 fish
2021Lengths measured · 118 fish
2014Lengths measured · 55 fish
2010Lengths measured · 62 fish
2004BluegillFair numbers32.3per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 525 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 525 fish
2021Lengths measured · 587 fish
2014Lengths measured · 439 fish
2010Lengths measured · 373 fish
2004CrappieJust a few0.3per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 25 fish
2021Lengths measured · 26 fish
2014Lengths measured · 14 fish
2010Lengths measured · 52 fish
2004No recent survey rating.
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 Middle Cormorant Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10.5 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 40 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 10.5 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 40 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 | Walleye | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25" | 33" | 18" |
| 2014 | 28" | 30" | 16" |
| 2010 | 27" | 33" | 15" |
| 2004 | 27" | 35" | 18" |
| 1996 | 27" | 30" | 13" |
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
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 · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,830 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 2,212 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 274 yearlings · 329 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 144,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Middle Cormorant Lake is a 373-acre lake located in southwestern Becker County 13 miles south of the city of Lake Park. The lake possesses a heavily developed shoreline and receives high recreational use and fishing pressure from the surrounding area. The lake maintains a navigable channel to Nelson and Upper Cormorant Lake and a non-navigable connection to downstream Big Cormorant Lake. Zebra mussels were discovered in the lake in 2019. Middle Cormorant Lake provides angling opportunities for Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Middle Cormorant Lake in August 2021.
Catch rates of Walleye have remained low in Middle Cormorant Lake since the 1977 survey. Spawning habitat suited for Walleye is limited in the lake, therefore the fishery is sustained through periodic fingerling stocking. Gill nets captured an average of three Walleye per net in 2021. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 9.4 to 25.6 inches, averaging 17.6 inches long.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike catch rates were below average in 2021. On average, roughly six pike per gill net were captured. Sampled pike ranged in length from 12.7 to 31.5 inches and averaged 21.3 inches long. Of the sampled pike, 34.5% were greater than or equal to 24 inches in length, revealing a fair number of quality sized fish.
Bluegill abundance in 2021 was below average with trap nets catching 32 fish per net. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from 3.4 to 8.4 inches, averaging 5.8 inches long. Approximately 1% of Bluegill sampled in trap nets were eight inches or longer. Bluegill exhibited slow growth, with fish not reaching eight inches until over a decade of growth.
In 2021, a total of 25 crappie were caught in combined gears ranging in length from 4.5 to 11.0 inches. Nine Largemouth Bass were caught in trap nets, ranging in length from 5.8 to 17.8 inches and averaging 9.4 inches long. Catch rates of Yellow Perch in Middle Cormorant Lake have always been historically low and no perch were caught during the 2021 survey.
Additional species sampled in the 2021 survey included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, and White Sucker. One Smallmouth Bass was captured, the first time this species has been found in the lake since a survey in 1966. Yellow Bullhead were extremely abundant in catch and were the most common among the three bullhead species. Common Carp have been documented in the lake but were not sampled during the 2021 survey.
Anglers can help maintain and improve Middle Cormorant Lake's fishery by harvesting small-moderately sized Northern Pike and Bluegill and releasing larger fish, as well as taking precautions to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Shoreline owners can help to improve water quality and fish habit in the lake by maintaining shoreline buffer zones, leaving native aquatic vegetation stands intact, and using wise land management practices.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Middle Cormorant Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Middle Cormorant 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
- Middle Cormorant (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Middle Cormorant Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Ida Lake · 632 ac · 2.2 mi
- Upper Cormorant Lake · 974 ac · 2.3 mi
- Big Cormorant Lake · 3,657 ac · 2.6 mi
- Turtle Lake · 196 ac · 3.6 mi
- Leif Lake · 521 ac · 4.1 mi
- Stakke Lake · 497 ac · 4.9 mi
- Bijou Lake · 225 ac · 5 mi
- Fifteen Lake · 154 ac · 5.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Middle Cormorant Lake?
Middle Cormorant Lake reaches 40 ft at its deepest point; about 39% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Middle Cormorant Lake?
Middle Cormorant Lake covers 373 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Middle Cormorant Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Middle Cormorant Lake average 10.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Middle Cormorant Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Middle Cormorant Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Middle Cormorant Lake have a public access?
Yes. Middle Cormorant Lake has one public access site: Middle Cormorant (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Middle Cormorant Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Middle Cormorant Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Middle Cormorant Lake in 2021, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
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