Minnesota · Stevens County
Pomme de Terre Lakes Fishing guide
Pomme de Terre Lakes sits in Stevens County, Minnesota, and covers 518 acres, reaching 13 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 2.4 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers10.2per gill net16"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 61 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 61 fish
2023Lengths measured · 51 fish
2017Lengths measured · 18 fish
2012Lengths measured · 100 fish
2007Northern pikeJust a few3.7per gill net23"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 23 fish
2023Lengths measured · 64 fish
2017Lengths measured · 22 fish
2012Lengths measured · 15 fish
2007BluegillJust a few5.1per trap net9"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 47 fish
2023Lengths measured · 85 fish
2017Lengths measured · 13 fish
2012Lengths measured · 24 fish
2007CrappieJust a few4.4per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 48 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 48 fish
2023Lengths measured · 209 fish
2017Lengths measured · 126 fish
2012Lengths measured · 66 fish
2007Rates 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 Pomme de Terre Lakes through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.4 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 13-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 2.4 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze. A 13-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | 26" | 15" | 28" |
| 2017 | 22" | 19" | 33" |
| 2012 | 19" | 18" | 32" |
| 2007 | 23" | 13" | 30" |
| 2003 | 27" | 15" | 24" |
| 1998 | 27" | — | 23" |
| 1994 | 28" | 4" | 35" |
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 · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Skirted Casting Jig + Craw Trailer
3.5–4" craw-style trailer on a skirted casting/flipping jig
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 517,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 517,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 517,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 517,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 517,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2023 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 14 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Perkins Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Pomme de Terre River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Twenty species were collected during this survey. Two species (Iowa Darter and Logperch) were considered "intolerant" and five species (Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, Green Sunfish, and Orangespotted Sunfish) were considered "tolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes.
Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Perkins Lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Pomme de Terre Lakes fishing reports
Recent reports on Pomme de Terre Lakes 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
- Perkins Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pomme de Terre Lakes depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lake Charlotte · 468 ac · 7.4 mi
- Cottonwood Lake · 255 ac · 8.4 mi
- Long Lake · 620 ac · 8.5 mi
- Lower Elk Lake · 131 ac · 11.2 mi
- Elk Lake · 207 ac · 11.5 mi
- Red Rock Lake · 904 ac · 12.5 mi
- Page Lake · 375 ac · 13.1 mi
- Freeborn Lake · 248 ac · 13.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pomme de Terre Lakes?
Pomme de Terre Lakes reaches 13 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 8 ft; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pomme de Terre Lakes?
Pomme de Terre Lakes covers 518 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pomme de Terre Lakes?
DNR Secchi readings on Pomme de Terre Lakes average 2.4 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pomme de Terre Lakes?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Pomme de Terre Lakes stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Pomme de Terre Lakes have a public access?
Yes. Pomme de Terre Lakes has one public access site: Perkins Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pomme de Terre Lakes?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Pomme de Terre Lakes last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pomme de Terre Lakes in 2023, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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