Minnesota · Hubbard County
Potato Lake Fishing guide
Potato Lake covers 2,096 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 87 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 8.4 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 2025Good numbers5.1per gill net7"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 325 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 114 fish
2025Lengths measured · 211 fish
2022Lengths measured · 102 fish
2019Lengths measured · 78 fish
2016Largemouth bassFair numbers22.2per hr (electrofishing)8"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 109 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 82 fish
2025Lengths measured · 27 fish
2022Lengths measured · 6 fish
2019Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 34 fish
2016Smallmouth bassFair numbers17.2per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 115 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 76 fish
2025Lengths measured · 39 fish
2022Lengths measured · 28 fish
2019Lengths measured · 46 fish
2016Northern pikeGood numbers11.1per gill net20"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 339 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 185 fish
2025Lengths measured · 154 fish
2022Lengths measured · 182 fish
2019Lengths measured · 132 fish
2016BluegillJust a few17.7per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 430 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 344 fish
2025Lengths measured · 86 fish
2022Lengths measured · 45 fish
2019Lengths measured · 150 fish
2016CrappieJust a few0.2per trap net4"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 17 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 13 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2022Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2019Lengths measured · 6 fish
2016Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchGood numbers7.5per gill net5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 570 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 144 fish
2025Lengths measured · 426 fish
2022Lengths measured · 133 fish
2019Lengths measured · 62 fish
2016Rock bassElite fishery30.2per gill net7"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 953 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 375 fish
2025Lengths measured · 578 fish
2022Lengths measured · 348 fish
2019Lengths measured · 203 fish
2016Rates 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 Potato 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 87 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 87 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26" | 35" | 19" |
| 2022 | 27" | 36" | 17" |
| 2019 | 25" | 38" | 15" |
| 2016 | 28" | 35" | 19" |
| 2010 | 27" | 34" | 18" |
| 2005 | 30" | 32" | 18" |
| 1998 | 27" | 29" | 10" |
| 1993 | 27" | 32" | 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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Trolling
Muskie Trolling (big cranks)
8–10" large diving crankbait rated for the target depth
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
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 | 432,150 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 430,650 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 473,025 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 431,120 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 430,650 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Potato Lake (DOW # 29-0243-00) is located seven miles north of Park Rapids in Hubbard County. Potato Lake has a surface area of 2,096 acres and a maximum depth of 87 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the north shore and a county-owned access located on the west "arm" of the lake. Boating access with small craft is also available from the inlet river connecting to Eagle Lake. There is a fixed crest dam at the outlet that prevents boat travel downstream but allows for fish passage. Potato Lake is a very popular fishing lake in the Park Rapids area known for its Walleye population, but also provides angling opportunities for Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Panfish.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Potato Lake is in Lake Class 22. Lake Class 22 lakes generally are deep, with hard water and small littoral zones (lake area less than 15 feet in depth). Other Lake Class 22 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Big Sand, Kabekona, Long and Lower Bottle.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye abundance was down from the previous survey and below the current management goal. Walleye abundance has been below management goal 3 of the past 4 surveys, but gill net catch rates have fluctuated within the range for similar type lakes. Sampled Walleyes had an average length of 17.1 inches, with fish measured up to 24.9 inches. Abundance of Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye, was up from recent surveys and near the current management goal. Yellow Perch are small in size and generally not a size anglers typically prefer to keep, but a few fish up to 10 inches were measured.
Northern Pike abundance captured in the most recent survey matched the highest recorded of the fifteen surveys dating back to 1950. Northern Pike numbers have been high since the 2013 survey, while abundance in earlier surveys fluctuated at moderate levels for this Lake Class. Sampled Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 21.1 inches and 2.21 pounds, with fish measured up to 35.4 inches.
Both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass were found in moderate abundance. While the average size of Largemouth was smaller, both species included fish sampled up to 19 inches.
Bluegill abundance was up from recent surveys with about half of the fish sampled in the 6-to-8-inch range, with fish measured up to 9 inches.
Currently zebra mussels are the only aquatic invasive species (AIS) that has been identified in Potato Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Potato Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Potato 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
- Potato Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Potato Lake (NW) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Potato Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Blue Lake · 336 ac · 2.5 mi
- Eagle Lake · 424 ac · 2.7 mi
- Fish Hook Lake · 1,643 ac · 3.5 mi
- Pickerel Lake · 310 ac · 3.6 mi
- Big Sand Lake · 1,639 ac · 4.2 mi
- Portage Lake · 429 ac · 4.2 mi
- Island Lake · 541 ac · 4.3 mi
- Ivan Lake · 22 ac · 4.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Potato Lake?
Potato Lake reaches 87 ft at its deepest point; about 20% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Potato Lake?
Potato Lake covers 2,096 acres with about 14.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Potato Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Potato Lake average 8.4 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Potato Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Potato Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Potato Lake have a public access?
Yes. Potato Lake has 2 public access sites, including Potato Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Potato 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 1993.
When was Potato Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Potato Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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