Minnesota · Itasca County
Pokegama Lake Fishing guide
Pokegama Lake sits in Itasca County, Minnesota, and covers 6,721 acres, reaching 112 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 16.1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 22 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers7.5per gill net18"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 228 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2024Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 91 fish
2023Lengths measured · 3 fish
2023Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 135 fish
2021Smallmouth bassFair numbers17per hr (electrofishing)17"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2023Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 84 fish
2015Northern pikeFair numbers9.8per gill net21"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 295 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2024Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 157 fish
2023Lengths measured · 3 fish
2023Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 136 fish
2021BluegillJust a few23.5per trap net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1235 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 354 fish
2024Lengths measured · 823 fish
2024Lengths measured · 43 fish
2023Lengths measured · 15 fish
2021CrappieJust a few0.1per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 49 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 31 fish
2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2023Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2021Yellow perchGood numbers7.2per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 226 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2024Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 94 fish
2023Lengths measured · 566 fish
2023Lengths measured · 123 fish
2021Present and managed by the DNR. Standard survey gear does not count this species reliably.
Rock bassOne of the best around3.7per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 196 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 56 fish
2024Lengths measured · 83 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2023Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 57 fish
2021Rates 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 Pokegama Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 16.1 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 112 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.
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 16.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 112 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
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 | Smallmouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25" | 10" | 18" |
| 2023 | 27" | 18" | 34" |
| 2021 | 27" | 18" | 32" |
| 2015 | 28" | 18" | 38" |
| 2011 | 21" | 4" | 28" |
| 2010 | 29" | 17" | 34" |
| 2006 | 9" | — | — |
| 2005 | 27" | 18" | 29" |
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
Smallmouth bass · Hardbaits
Walk-the-Dog Topwater
4–4.5" walk-the-dog topwater
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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 | 501 fingerlings · 100 yearlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 29,477 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 42,305 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Lake Trout | 519 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 26,524 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 49,450 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 45,494 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 32,054 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Lake Trout | 180 adults |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 1,978 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 45,494 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Lake Trout | 100 adults |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Pokegama Lake is in ecological lake class 22 and is located just southwest of Grand Rapids, MN, in the Mississippi River Watershed. The lake is 6,721 acres and has a maximum depth of 112 feet. Area Fisheries staff conducted a targeted survey setting 15 trap nets on 16 June, 2024 and began nearshore fish species sampling on 23 July, 2024. The trap net and nearshore catches will be used with the data from the targeted gill-net survey conducted on 31 July, 2023, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of lake health. The surveys will assist the watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Nearshore sampling included 24 sites (100 feet long) evenly spaced around the lake, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-ft or 50-ft 1/8th inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. Shoreline seining was conducted at six sites using the 15-ft seine and 11 sites with the 50-ft seine. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 24 sites. Nearshore sampling captured 22 different species: 17 species by seining and 18 species by backpack electrofishing. The nearshore sampling captured all but two species observed in the trap nets, Black Crappie and Bowfin. The species can be found in the gear-specific catch tables in this report.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Pokegama Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Pokegama 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
- Pokegama Lake , Casper (trailer launch)
- Pokegama Lake, Golf Course Rd (trailer launch)
- Pokegama Lake, Laplant Rd (trailer launch)
- Pokegama Lake, Mishawaka Landing (trailer launch)
- Pokegama Lake, Sherry's Arm (trailer launch)
- Pokegama Lake, Tioga (trailer launch)
- Pokegama Lake, Wood Tick (trailer launch)
- Pokegama Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Pokegama Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Tioga Mine Pit · 49 ac · 3.5 mi
- Blandin Lake · 490 ac · 3.5 mi
- Forest Lake · 37 ac · 3.9 mi
- Hale Lake · 130 ac · 4.4 mi
- Little Jay Gould Lake · 150 ac · 4.4 mi
- Long Lake · 135 ac · 4.6 mi
- Ice Lake · 39 ac · 4.7 mi
- Loon Lake · 231 ac · 4.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pokegama Lake?
Pokegama Lake reaches 112 ft at its deepest point; about 29% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pokegama Lake?
Pokegama Lake covers 6,721 acres with about 57.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pokegama Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pokegama Lake average 16.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pokegama Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Pokegama Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Pokegama Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pokegama Lake has 8 public access sites, including Pokegama Lake , Casper (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pokegama 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 2005.
When was Pokegama Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pokegama Lake in 2024, the most recent of 22 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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