Minnesota · Cass County
Roosevelt Lake Fishing guide
Roosevelt Lake sits in Cass County, Minnesota, and covers 1,511 acres, reaching 129 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 11.2 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 17 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers1.5per gill net15"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 86 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 58 fish
2024Lengths measured · 28 fish
2021Lengths measured · 81 fish
2018Lengths measured · 30 fish
2012Largemouth bassFair numbers48.9per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 126 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 112 fish
2024Lengths measured · 14 fish
2021Lengths measured · 88 fish
2018Lengths measured · 37 fish
2012Smallmouth bassFair numbers9per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 22 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 19 fish
2024Lengths measured · 3 fish
2021Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2018Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2012Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few3.4per gill net24"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 111 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 70 fish
2024Lengths measured · 41 fish
2021Lengths measured · 50 fish
2018Lengths measured · 53 fish
2012MuskellungeLast stocked 2024Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2024Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 21 fish
2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021BluegillJust a few21.3per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 356 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 336 fish
2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2021Lengths measured · 270 fish
2018Lengths measured · 313 fish
2012CrappieJust a few2.9per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 161 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 63 fish
2024Lengths measured · 98 fish
2021Lengths measured · 107 fish
2018Lengths measured · 42 fish
2012Yellow perchFair numbers1.6per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 62 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 43 fish
2024Lengths measured · 19 fish
2021Lengths measured · 15 fish
2018Lengths measured · 184 fish
2018Last recorded in the 2006 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassGood numbers1.3per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 63 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 47 fish
2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2021Lengths measured · 35 fish
2018Lengths measured · 86 fish
2012Rates 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 Roosevelt Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.2 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 129 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 11.2 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 129 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29" | 17" | 20" |
| 2021 | 30" | 15" | 16" |
| 2018 | 29" | 17" | 18" |
| 2012 | 30" | 17" | 17" |
| 2006 | 30" | 17" | 19" |
| 2000 | 28" | 17" | 14" |
| 1995 | 29" | 18" | 15" |
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 | 10,140 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 397 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 7,800 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 382 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 390 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 7,800 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 9,750 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 390 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 6,370 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Muskellunge | 390 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Roosevelt Lake is 1,511 acres located in the town of Outing in Cass County. The maximum depth is 129 feet and 25% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. On the east side of the lake is a DNR access one mile south of Outing on the west side of Minnesota Highway 6.
Muskellunge are the primary managed species on Roosevelt Lake. Regular fingerling stocking of Muskellunge started in 2012. Large frame trap nets were set on April 29th and lifted every day until May 15th to assess the Muskellunge population. A total of 13 Muskellunge were sampled, including four females and nine males ranging in length from 34.9" to 52.5". The average length of sampled Muskellunge was 41.2". All Muskellunge in the lake have a unique PIT tag that allows for individual identification.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Roosevelt Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Roosevelt 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
- Roosevelt Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Roosevelt Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Smokey Hollow Lake · 126 ac · 1 mi
- Lawrence Lake · 225 ac · 1.6 mi
- Allen Lake · 45 ac · 2.1 mi
- Little Andrus Lake · 27 ac · 2.6 mi
- Marion Lake · 12 ac · 2.8 mi
- Pavelgrit Lake · 18 ac · 2.8 mi
- Leavitt Lake · 122 ac · 2.8 mi
- Margaret Lake · 18 ac · 3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Roosevelt Lake?
Roosevelt Lake reaches 129 ft at its deepest point; about 26% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Roosevelt Lake?
Roosevelt Lake covers 1,511 acres with about 18.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Roosevelt Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Roosevelt Lake average 11.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Roosevelt Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Roosevelt Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Roosevelt Lake have a public access?
Yes. Roosevelt Lake has one public access site: Roosevelt Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Roosevelt Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 30"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Roosevelt Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Roosevelt Lake in 2024, the most recent of 17 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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