Minnesota · Itasca County
North Star Lake Fishing guide
North Star Lake sits in Itasca County, Minnesota, and covers 832 acres, reaching 90 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 25 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.3per gill net19"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 382 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 355 fish
2022Lengths measured · 27 fish
2022Lengths measured · 57 fish
2019Lengths measured · 47 fish
2014Largemouth bassPresent0.3per gill net12"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 398 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 394 fish
2022Lengths measured · 4 fish
2022Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2019Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 71 fish
2014Northern pikeJust a few1.4per gill net25"Typical39"Biggest
Lengths measured · 381 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 364 fish
2022Lengths measured · 17 fish
2022Lengths measured · 26 fish
2019Lengths measured · 32 fish
2014MuskellungeLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 300 fish
Recent · 2019 + 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 18 fish
2025Lengths measured · 67 fish
2023Lengths measured · 194 fish
2022Lengths measured · 20 fish
2021BluegillPresent2.5per gill net4"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 30 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 30 fish
2022Lengths measured · 163 fish
2019Lengths measured · 312 fish
2014Lengths measured · 498 fish
2009Yellow perchFair numbers4per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 48 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 48 fish
2022Lengths measured · 44 fish
2019Lengths measured · 108 fish
2014Lengths measured · 201 fish
2009Rock bassGood numbers1.4per gill net9"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 17 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 17 fish
2022Lengths measured · 34 fish
2019Lengths measured · 43 fish
2014Lengths measured · 64 fish
2009Rates 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 Star Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.6 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 90 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. At 14.6 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 90 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 | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 31" | 20" | 19" |
| 2019 | 28" | 13" | 19" |
| 2014 | 27" | 17" | 13" |
| 2009 | 29" | 15" | 18" |
| 2005 | 27" | 18" | 14" |
| 2001 | 27" | 14" | 18" |
| 1996 | 26" | 14" | 18" |
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
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 | Muskellunge | 20 yearlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 6,908 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 9,948 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,875 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 7,500 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 3,525 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 3,760 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 104 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 7,460 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 2,660 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Muskellunge | 100 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 4,700 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2017 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
North Star Lake was stocked with Leech Lake strain Muskie fingerlings in 1989, 1991 and 1994 to establish a population. Natural reproduction was documented in spring surveys, fall electrofishing, and angler reports of small fish by the mid-2000s. Spring, night electrofishing to capture juvenile Muskie was conducted annually from 2006 to 2013, though after a couple years, all Muskies encountered were measured and PIT tagged to improve our understanding of the population. Additional spring, night electrofishing surveys occurred in 2015, 2016, 2021-2023, and 2025. The surveys documented natural reproduction was excellent and the population was self-sustaining. Recent surveys have assisted in estimating population size, age and growth, maximum ages, adult mortality, and revealed variable growth among fish of the same sex and between sexes.
Spring, night electrofishing was conducted on May 8th and 23rd of 2025. Surface water temperatures were 55 and 61 degrees F, and water clarity was good. Calm, sunny days following periods of stable weather is preferred for sampling because cold fronts are thought to push fish out of the shallows.
Read the full DNR narrative
A total of 18 fish were sampled over the two nights and 12 of the Muskie had been marked in prior years. Sampled Muskie ranged from 9.3 to 48.7 inches. All sampled fish were the result of natural reproduction since the last introductory stocking occurred in 1994 and no PIT tagged fingerlings stocked in 2014, 2015, 2017 or 2019 were observed.
For many fish species, age and growth estimates are derived from bony structures that require sacrificing the fish but due to the low-density, long-lived nature of Muskie that is not desirable. Also, because North Star has good natural reproduction, stocking tagged fish with known ages is not a viable option. As a result, age and growth information for North Star is continuously being updated. In 2025, Muskie were estimated from age 1 to 24 based on scales, anal fin rays and time since tagging. The following examples exhibit the complexity of age and growth for North Star. A 40.3-inch male tagged in 2013 was estimated to be 12 years old, yet 12 years later was only 41.2 inches; demonstrating longevity and minimal growth for this male once it achieved 40 inches. In contrast, a 29.7-inch female tagged in 2022, estimated to be 4+ years old, was resampled in 2025 at 40.7 inches. The age-7 female demonstrated good growth. Interestingly, these two fish of similar length were estimated to be 17 years apart in age. Additional tagging of known age and/or confidently aged young fish should improve understanding of the population.
Anglers can also assist in expanding our knowledge of Muskie age and growth for North Star. As of 2025, approximately 50-60% of the adult Muskie in North Star had PIT tags. The standard location for tagging Muskie in Minnesota is on the left side of the fish, just in front and slightly down from the dorsal fin (the fin on top of the fish). If an angler has a PIT tag reader, please record the tag number, length of the fish, date of capture, and send this information to the Grand Rapids Area Fisheries Office so it can be included in the database. The MN DNR will respond with the catch history of the fish, like when it was tagged and how long it was when it was tagged.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
North Star Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on North Star 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 Star Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
North Star Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Dead Horse Lake · 105 ac · 1.5 mi
- Little North Star Lake · 55 ac · 1.7 mi
- Caribou Lake · 247 ac · 2.1 mi
- Big Ole Lake · 217 ac · 2.5 mi
- East Smith Lake · 152 ac · 2.6 mi
- Dock Lake · 30 ac · 3.4 mi
- Big Island Lake · 244 ac · 3.5 mi
- Grave Lake · 525 ac · 3.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is North Star Lake?
North Star Lake reaches 90 ft at its deepest point; about 38% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is North Star Lake?
North Star Lake covers 832 acres with about 10.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in North Star Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on North Star Lake average 14.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in North Star Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is North Star Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does North Star Lake have a public access?
Yes. North Star Lake has one public access site: North Star Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in North Star Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 31"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was North Star Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed North Star Lake in 2025, the most recent of 25 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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