Minnesota · Aitkin County
Ripple Lake Fishing guide
Ripple Lake sits in Aitkin County, Minnesota, and covers 631 acres, reaching 39 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 5.1 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 2025Fair numbers3per gill net13"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 27 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 27 fish
2023Lengths measured · 14 fish
2018Lengths measured · 20 fish
2013Lengths measured · 2 fish
2012Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers8.4per gill net21"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 87 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 87 fish
2023Lengths measured · 57 fish
2018Lengths measured · 31 fish
2013Lengths measured · 12 fish
2012BluegillJust a few16.2per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 169 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 169 fish
2023Lengths measured · 121 fish
2018Lengths measured · 102 fish
2013Lengths measured · 536 fish
2012CrappieJust a few3.7per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 112 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 112 fish
2023Lengths measured · 81 fish
2018Lengths measured · 162 fish
2013Lengths measured · 89 fish
2012Yellow perchFair numbers3.9per gill net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2023Lengths measured · 48 fish
2018Lengths measured · 69 fish
2013Lengths measured · 27 fish
2008Rates 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 Ripple 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.
- 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.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25" | 33" | 17" |
| 2018 | 26" | 29" | 11" |
| 2013 | 28" | 32" | 13" |
| 2012 | 31" | 31" | 16" |
| 2008 | 28" | 33" | 12" |
| 2003 | 26" | 38" | — |
| 1998 | 24" | 36" | 3" |
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 · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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 | 300,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 3,974 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,419 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,076 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 608 fingerlings · 319 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 7,600 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 11,347 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 11,118 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ripple Lake was conducted on August 15, 2023 by Aitkin Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all fourteen sampling stations, but four stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at 4 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish including 4 species that were intolerant of disturbance (ie., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass) and one that was tolerant of disturbance (ie., Black Bullhead).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data from this survey indicates Ripple Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life used determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to Mississippi River (Brainerd) Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Ripple Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Ripple 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
- Ripple Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Ripple Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Diamond Lake · 82 ac · 1.2 mi
- Lone Lake · 434 ac · 1.5 mi
- Hanging Kettle Lake · 318 ac · 1.7 mi
- Elm Island Lake · 520 ac · 2.2 mi
- Nord Lake · 418 ac · 2.2 mi
- Spirit Lake · 523 ac · 2.2 mi
- Four Lake · 137 ac · 2.9 mi
- Hickory Lake · 212 ac · 3.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Ripple Lake?
Ripple Lake reaches 39 ft at its deepest point; about 47% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Ripple Lake?
Ripple Lake covers 631 acres with about 8.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Ripple Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Ripple Lake average 5.1 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Ripple Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Ripple Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Ripple Lake have a public access?
Yes. Ripple Lake has one public access site: Ripple Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Ripple Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Ripple Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Ripple Lake in 2023, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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