Minnesota · Aitkin County
Minnewawa Lake Fishing guide
Minnewawa Lake is a 2,351-acre lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, reaching 21 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 4.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 22 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.2per gill net14"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 117 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 54 fish
2024Lengths measured · 63 fish
2021Lengths measured · 170 fish
2019Lengths measured · 104 fish
2018Largemouth bassJust a few13.7per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 33 fish
2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2021Lengths measured · 37 fish
2018Lengths measured · 5 fish
2015Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers7.5per gill net19"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 252 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 178 fish
2024Lengths measured · 74 fish
2021Lengths measured · 57 fish
2018Lengths measured · 83 fish
2015BluegillJust a few12.5per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 630 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 337 fish
2024Lengths measured · 293 fish
2021Lengths measured · 76 fish
2020Lengths measured · 305 fish
2018CrappieJust a few0.9per trap net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 155 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 79 fish
2024Lengths measured · 76 fish
2021Lengths measured · 45 fish
2018Lengths measured · 50 fish
2015Yellow perchGood numbers6.2per gill net5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 195 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 135 fish
2024Lengths measured · 60 fish
2021Lengths measured · 146 fish
2018Lengths measured · 193 fish
2015Rates 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 Minnewawa 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 97% 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.
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 97% 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.
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 | 26" | 32" | 18" |
| 2021 | 24" | 34" | 16" |
| 2019 | 27" | — | — |
| 2018 | 23" | 33" | 15" |
| 2015 | 27" | 32" | 16" |
| 2014 | 10" | — | — |
| 2013 | 6" | — | — |
| 2012 | 26" | 32" | 19" |
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 · 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
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 | 1,150,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,150,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,300,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,150,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,150,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,150,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lake Minnewawa was conducted 07/22/2024 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 24 sampling stations, nine of which were shocked from the boat due to soft sediment. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 13 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Ten stations were not seined due to dense vegetation and soft sediment. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 07/15/2024 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 Lake Minnewawa is healthy as indicated by a FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Lake Minnewawa is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Grand Rapids watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Lake Minnewawa by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Minnewawa Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Minnewawa 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
- Minnewawa Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Minnewawa Lake (SE) (trailer launch)
- Minnewawa Lake (W) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Minnewawa Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Horseshoe Lake · 240 ac · 2.5 mi
- Big Sandy Lake · 6,125 ac · 3.2 mi
- Round Lake · 554 ac · 3.4 mi
- Rat Lake · 431 ac · 4.1 mi
- Glacier Lake · 135 ac · 6 mi
- Aitkin Lake · 659 ac · 6.6 mi
- Round Lake · 185 ac · 6.9 mi
- Bass Lake · 57 ac · 7.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Minnewawa Lake?
Minnewawa Lake reaches 21 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 8.2 ft; about 97% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Minnewawa Lake?
Minnewawa Lake covers 2,351 acres with about 18.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Minnewawa Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Minnewawa Lake average 4.9 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Minnewawa Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Minnewawa Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Minnewawa Lake have a public access?
Yes. Minnewawa Lake has 3 public access sites, including Minnewawa Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Minnewawa Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2012.
When was Minnewawa Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Minnewawa Lake in 2024, the most recent of 22 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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