Minnesota · Chisago County
North Center Lake Fishing guide
North Center Lake sits in Chisago County, Minnesota, and covers 749 acres, reaching 46 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 5.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Good numbers5per gill net21"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 65 fish
2021Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 53 fish
2017Lengths measured · 38 fish
2010Largemouth bassFair numbers35.4per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 53 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 53 fish
2021Lengths measured · 162 fish
2017Lengths measured · 123 fish
2010Lengths measured · 58 fish
2005Northern pikeFair numbers6.1per gill net26"Typical39"Biggest
Lengths measured · 147 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 72 fish
2022Lengths measured · 75 fish
2021Lengths measured · 4 fish
2019Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 186 fish
2017BluegillOne of the best around144.2per trap net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 2131 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 2131 fish
2021Lengths measured · 416 fish
2019Lengths measured · 907 fish
2017Lengths measured · 504 fish
2010CrappieOne of the best around32.6per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 550 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 550 fish
2021Lengths measured · 103 fish
2019Lengths measured · 127 fish
2017Lengths measured · 241 fish
2010Yellow perchGood numbers12.2per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 152 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 152 fish
2021Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 99 fish
2017Lengths measured · 12 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 North Center 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. On a lake that drops to 46 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.
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. On a lake that drops to 46 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | — | 39" |
| 2021 | 27" | 18" | 34" |
| 2019 | 23" | — | 23" |
| 2017 | 26" | 17" | 37" |
| 2010 | 26" | 19" | 34" |
| 2005 | 23" | 19" | 34" |
| 2000 | 28" | 18" | 37" |
| 1995 | 24" | 16" | 33" |
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
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 608,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 608,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 608,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 600,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 8,044 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Hinckley fisheries staff on North Center Lake on July 21, 2025. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Spotfin Shiner, Spottail Shiner, and Yellow Perch.
The nearshore survey data is combined with standard gill and trap netting survey data from previous North Center Lake surveys to calculate a Fish IBI (FIBI) score and helps assess aquatic life in North Center Lake. The FIBI score for North Center Lake based on this survey is below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes.
This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
North Center Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on North Center 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
- North Center Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
North Center Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- North Lindstrom Lake · 142 ac · 1.4 mi
- Little Lake · 168 ac · 1.8 mi
- Sunrise Lake · 796 ac · 2.1 mi
- South Center Lake · 910 ac · 2.1 mi
- South Lindstrom Lake · 455 ac · 2.3 mi
- Kroon Lake · 193 ac · 3.8 mi
- Chisago Lake · 944 ac · 4.1 mi
- Spider Lake · 131 ac · 6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is North Center Lake?
North Center Lake reaches 46 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 7 ft; about 81% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is North Center Lake?
North Center Lake covers 749 acres with about 12.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in North Center Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on North Center Lake average 5.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in North Center Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is North Center Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does North Center Lake have a public access?
Yes. North Center Lake has one public access site: North Center Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in North Center Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was North Center Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed North Center Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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