Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Ross Lake Fishing guide
Ross Lake covers 492 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 30 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 4 times, most recently in 2018, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets. That survey is 8 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeFair numbers1.7per gill net18"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Northern pikeJust a few5.1per gill net23"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 48 fish
Recent · 2018Lengths measured · 48 fish
2018Lengths measured · 34 fish
2006BluegillJust a few6.2per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 98 fish
Recent · 2018Lengths measured · 98 fish
2018Lengths measured · 194 fish
2006CrappieJust a few3per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 166 fish
Recent · 2018Lengths measured · 166 fish
2018Lengths measured · 229 fish
2006Yellow perchFair numbers3.7per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2018Lengths measured · 34 fish
2018Lengths measured · 24 fish
2006Rates 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 Ross Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.8 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 64% 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 3.8 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 64% 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 23" | 17" | 32" |
| 2006 | — | 16" | 32" |
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
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
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
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2018 survey
Ross Lake is a 487 acre lake located in northeast Crow Wing County. A public access is located off the northeast corner of the lake. Ross has bog stained water, with a secchi disk reading of 4.0'. Much of the lakeshore is undeveloped and provides critical areas for fish spawning as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
Black crappies are the most abundant species in Ross, although most are on the smaller size. When compared to similar lakes, gill nets sampled crappies in high numbers at 15.4/net with an average length of 7.4". Trap nets sampled crappies in average numbers at 3.0/net, with an average length of 7.2". For both gears combined 32% were over 8" in length. Bluegills were sampled in low numbers at 6.2/trap net. Average length was 6.2", with 39% at least 7" in length.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern pike numbers were average when compared to similar lakes at 5.1/gill net. Northern pike averaged 20.2" in length, with 48% at least 24" in length. Fish up to 32.3" were sampled. Catch and release of these larger fish will help keep a balanced northern pike population. Lakes in this part of the state have a new northern pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information.
Walleyes were sampled for the first time in Ross. The gillnet catch of 1.7/net was average compared to similar lakes. Walleyes ranged from 13.9" to 23.4" with an average of 18.7".
No invasive species have been discovered in Ross Lake, but they are located in the area. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers, as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Ross Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Ross 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
- Ross Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Ross Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Twin Lake · 79 ac · 0.8 mi
- Stark Lake · 217 ac · 1.7 mi
- Upper Dean Lake · 259 ac · 2.7 mi
- Rogers Lake · 240 ac · 2.9 mi
- Island Lake · 240 ac · 3.3 mi
- Blind Lake · 304 ac · 4.3 mi
- Lows Lake · 302 ac · 5.2 mi
- Moulton Lake · 258 ac · 5.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Ross Lake?
Ross Lake reaches 30 ft at its deepest point; about 64% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Ross Lake?
Ross Lake covers 492 acres with about 6.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Ross Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Ross Lake average 3.8 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Ross Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2018) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Ross Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Ross Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Ross Lake have a public access?
Yes. Ross Lake has one public access site: Ross Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Ross Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 23"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2006.
When was Ross Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Ross Lake in 2018, the most recent of 4 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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