Minnesota · Cass County
Pike Bay Lake Fishing guide
Pike Bay Lake covers 4,756 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 95 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 11.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 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 numbers3.9per gill net18"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 118 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 39 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 78 fish
2022Lengths measured · 175 fish
2019Largemouth bassJust a few5.3per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 60 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 32 fish
2025Lengths measured · 27 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2022Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2019Northern pikeJust a few2.7per gill net24"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 83 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 47 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 35 fish
2022Lengths measured · 56 fish
2019Present in recent DNR surveys.
BluegillJust a few3.2per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 54 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 48 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2022Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019Yellow perchElite fishery81.6per gill net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 2493 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 1299 fish
2025Lengths measured · 46 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1148 fish
2022Lengths measured · 885 fish
2019Rock bassOne of the best around4.7per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 291 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 142 fish
2025Lengths measured · 71 fish
2024Lengths measured · 78 fish
2022Lengths measured · 288 fish
2019Rates 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 Pike Bay Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.8 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 95 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 11.8 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 95 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27" | 14" | — |
| 2024 | 23" | 19" | 7" |
| 2022 | 26" | 11" | — |
| 2019 | 26" | 17" | — |
| 2015 | 27" | 15" | — |
| 2009 | 26" | 17" | — |
| 2004 | 24" | 15" | — |
| 1999 | 23" | 13" | — |
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 | Walleye | 2,131,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,852,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 2,548,669 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 3,222,600 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,263,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,252,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,880,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 2,353,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,243,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted gill net survey for Walleye on Pike Bay was conducted during the week of 8/25/2025. This survey was the second conducted on an expedited 3-year rotation since Pike Bay was selected for inclusion in a statewide study of zebra mussel effects on Walleye populations (2021). Pike Bay was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2014 and with the exception of 2020, Pike Bay has been stocked annually with Walleye fry.
A total of 39 Walleye were captured resulting in a catch rate of 2.3 fish/net which was down considerably from 5.2 fish/net in the previous survey (2022). Walleye captured ranged from 16 to 27 inches in length with a mean length of just over 20 inches and a mean weight of 3 lbs/fish. The two most abundant year classes were age-6 (2019) and age-8 (2017). The 2019 year class was the most abundant cohort identified, comprising 36% of the catch.
Read the full DNR narrative
The 2025 targeted gill net survey also provided an opportunity to evaluate the Northern Pike population. A total of 47 pike were captured resulting in a catch rate of 3.1 fish/net which was a slight increase from 2.3 fish/net in 2022. Pike captured ranged from 16 to 33 inches in length with a mean length of 25 inches and mean weight of nearly 4 pounds. Approximately 38% of pike were 26 inches in length or larger.
Yellow Perch are also a popular species for anglers on Pike Bay. Perch catch rates increased from 76.6 fish/net in 2022 to 86.6 fish/net in this survey. Some perch captured during the 2025 survey exceeded 12 inches and they averaged just over 7 inches.
Other species of fish captured in this survey were Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Lake Whitefish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Pike Bay Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Pike Bay 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
- Pike Bay (N) (trailer launch)
- Pike Bay (S) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pike Bay Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Windigo Lake · 195 ac · 4 mi
- Cass Lake · 15,958 ac · 4.4 mi
- Little Wolf Lake · 525 ac · 4.9 mi
- Thirteen Lake · 555 ac · 4.9 mi
- Portage Lake · 361 ac · 5.6 mi
- Wolf Lake · 1,076 ac · 6.8 mi
- Midge Lake · 546 ac · 7 mi
- Middle Sucker Lake · 286 ac · 7.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pike Bay Lake?
Pike Bay Lake reaches 95 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 25 ft; about 47% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pike Bay Lake?
Pike Bay Lake covers 4,756 acres with about 11 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pike Bay Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pike Bay Lake average 11.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pike Bay Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Pike Bay Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Pike Bay Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pike Bay Lake has 2 public access sites, including Pike Bay (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pike Bay 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 1999.
When was Pike Bay Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pike Bay Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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