Namakan Lake Fishing guide

Walleye gill net catch rate was 8.0 fish per net, which was above average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 3.4 to 24.1 inches and the average length was 13.0 inches. Average weight was 0.8 pounds, which was below average compared to similar lakes. A total of 14 year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 0 to 15 years. Age-3 and age-4 Walleye were the most common ages in the 2025 gill nets. Average length at age-4 was 12.7 inches, which was below average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Overall, there are good numbers of Walleye in Namakan Lake, with the chance to catch Walleye over 26 inches. Namakan Lake offers a good Walleye fishing opportunity

Northern Pike gill net catch rate was 2.0 fish per net, which was above average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 15.3 to 34.0 inches and the average length was 22.3 inches. Average weight was 2.5 pounds, which was below average compared to similar lakes. A total of 7 year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 2 to 9 years. Northern Pike from the 2022 (age-3) and 2020 (age-5) year-classes accounted for 55 percent of the total catch. Average length at age-4 was 20.3 inches, which was below average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Namakan Lake offers a low-density, high-quality Northern Pike fishery with an excellent opportunity to catch a trophy fish.

Sauger gill net catch rate was 2.6 fish per net, which was below average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 7.8 to 13.6 inches and the average length was 10.0 inches. Average weight was 0.3 pounds, which was below average compared to similar lakes. A total of 8 year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 3 to 13 years. Age-5 Sauger made up 19 percent of the gill net catch and age-3 Sauger accounted for another 13 percent of the total sample. Average length at age-4 was 10.9 inches, which was above average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Although Sauger in Namakan Lake do not reach larger overall sizes, they do provide an additional harvest opportunity for anglers.

Yellow Perch gill net catch rate was 2.5 fish per net, which was below average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 5.5 to 11.1 inches and the average length was 7.8 inches. Average weight was 0.22 pounds, which was above average compared to similar lakes. A total of five year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 2 to 6 years. Age-4 Yellow Perch made up 31 percent of the total catch and age-5 Yellow Perch accounted for an additional 34 percent of the total sample. Average length at age-4 was 7.7 inches, which was above average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. Yellow Perch offer an additional fishing opportunity and forage for Walleye and Northern Pike.

Smallmouth Bass gill net catch rate was 0.9 fish per net, which was well above average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 7.8 to 19.8 inches and the average length was 14.1 inches. Average weight was 1.8 pounds, which was well above average compared to similar lakes. A total of eight year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 2 to 20 years. Age-4 Smallmouth Bass made up 35 percent of the total catch and age-5 Smallmouth Bass made up 24 percent of the total catch. Average length at age-4 was 12.2 inches, which was above average compared to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. There are decent numbers of 12 to 14-inch Smallmouth Bass in Namakan Lake, with the opportunity to catch quality fish.

Bluegill are typically sampled in low numbers in Namakan Lake but recently there has been an increasing number of anglers reporting targetable numbers in nearby Lake Kabetogama. Bluegill gill net catch rate was 0.4 fish per net and was the second highest catch rate in survey history. Total length ranged from 8.3 to 9.1 inches and the average length was 8.7 inches. Average weight was 0.61 pounds. A total of two year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 4 to 5 years. The 2020 year-class represented 71 percent of the total catch. Bluegill offer an additional fishing opportunity in Namakan Lake.

Black Crappie are typically sampled in low numbers in Namakan Lake. Black Crappie gill net catch rate was 0.3 fish per net, which was average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 7.0 to 12.7 inches and the average length was 10.7 inches. Average weight was 0.85 pounds, which was well above average compared to similar lakes. A total of three year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 3 to 7 years. The 2022 year-class and the 2020 year-class represented 80 percent of the total catch. Black Crappie offer an additional fishing opportunity in Namakan Lake.

Cisco and Lake Whitefish are also present and provide quality forage for top predators in Namakan Lake. Other species sampled during the 2025 survey included Burbot (eelpout), Lake Sturgeon, Pumpkinseed, Redhorse Suckers, Rock Bass, and White Sucker.