Minnesota · Hennepin County
Nokomis Lake Fishing guide
Nokomis Lake is a 201-acre lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, reaching 33 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 4.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025One of the best around12.2per gill net18"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 76 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 76 fish
2023Lengths measured · 31 fish
2018Lengths measured · 43 fish
2010Lengths measured · 33 fish
2007No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few1.8per gill net26"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 11 fish
2023Lengths measured · 8 fish
2018Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2010Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
1996Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillOne of the best around110.1per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1314 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 1314 fish
2023Lengths measured · 520 fish
2018Lengths measured · 2183 fish
2010Lengths measured · 1697 fish
2007CrappieGood numbers21per trap net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 380 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 380 fish
2023Lengths measured · 153 fish
2018Lengths measured · 196 fish
2010Lengths measured · 111 fish
2007Yellow perchOne of the best around42.2per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 257 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 257 fish
2023Lengths measured · 221 fish
2018Lengths measured · 53 fish
2010Lengths measured · 282 fish
2007Present and managed by the DNR.
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 Nokomis 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- 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.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24" | 3" | 35" |
| 2018 | 26" | 13" | 31" |
| 2010 | 27" | 5" | 23" |
| 2007 | 27" | — | — |
| 2005 | 27" | 7" | — |
| 2001 | 26" | 17" | — |
| 1996 | 28" | 9" | 30" |
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
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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
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 | Tiger Muskellunge | 200 fingerlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 2,703 yearlings |
| 2024 | Tiger Muskellunge | 200 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 2,850 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Tiger Muskellunge | 260 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 3,400 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Tiger Muskellunge | 140 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,054 fingerlings · 509 yearlings |
| 2018 | Tiger Muskellunge | 200 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 123 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Tiger Muskellunge | 250 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Lake Nokomis is a 201-acre lake with a maximum depth of 33 feet. All land surrounding Lake Nokomis is owned by the city of Minneapolis, and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board maintains the property. There is a boat access on the northern shore of the lake, as well as two fishing piers and two swimming beaches on the lake. Gas motors are prohibited on Nokomis, and the lake is popular among canoers and kayakers. Nokomis is primarily managed for Walleye and Tiger Muskellunge; each is stocked on an every-other-year basis. Lake Nokomis is infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels.
In 2023, Walleye were abundant, and of good-quality size. Fish ranged in length from 12.8 - 24.6 inches, with an average size of 18.2 inches and 2.16 pounds. There aren't many Northern Pike in Nokomis, but they tend to be large. The average pike was 27.4 inches and 4.86 pounds, and the largest was 35.2 inches long. Consistently low Northern Pike abundances have allowed for establishment and continuation of Tiger Muskellunge management.
Read the full DNR narrative
Tiger Muskellunge and Largemouth Bass are both present in Lake Nokomis. However, targeted sampling was not attempted in 2023. One bass was sampled in the gill net, and it was 3.4 inches. Three Tiger Muskies were captured in the gill nets and trap nets, measuring 24.4, 36.3, and 31.8 inches. Gill nets and trap nets do not effectively sample bass or muskies, so these samples do not accurately reflect the size structure of these populations, and only document their presence.
Good numbers of panfish were sampled in 2023, and plenty of harvestable-size fish were observed. Forty-two percent of the Bluegill sample exceeded 6 inches, and the average size was 6.0 inches and 0.17 pounds. The largest Bluegill was 8.1 inches. Black Crappie were abundant, and good sized fish were sampled. Eleven percent of the catch exceeded 9 inches, and the largest crappie was 10.4 inches. Yellow Perch were highly abundant, and 13% of the catch exceeded 8 inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Nokomis Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Nokomis 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
- Lake Nokomis (trailer launch)
- Nokomis Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Nokomis Lake North Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Nokomis Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Hiawatha Lake · 53 ac · 0.9 mi
- Taft Lake · 14 ac · 1.1 mi
- Powderhorn Lake · 11 ac · 2.4 mi
- Harriet Lake · 341 ac · 3.2 mi
- Snelling Lake · 103 ac · 3.3 mi
- Smith Pond · 7 ac · 3.7 mi
- Bde Maka Ska Lake · 424 ac · 4.1 mi
- Lake of the Isles · 114 ac · 4.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Nokomis Lake?
Nokomis Lake reaches 33 ft at its deepest point; about 50% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Nokomis Lake?
Nokomis Lake covers 201 acres with about 2.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Nokomis Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Nokomis Lake average 4.5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Nokomis Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge.
Is Nokomis Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked tiger muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Nokomis Lake have a public access?
Yes. Nokomis Lake has 3 public access sites, including Lake Nokomis (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Nokomis Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Nokomis Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Nokomis Lake in 2023, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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