Minnesota · Aitkin County
Round Lake Fishing guide
Round Lake sits in Aitkin County, Minnesota, and covers 737 acres, reaching 125 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 13.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 23 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 net17"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 109 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 60 fish
2023Lengths measured · 30 fish
2021Largemouth bassJust a few19.4per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 226 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 47 fish
2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 48 fish
2023Lengths measured · 91 fish
2022Smallmouth bassFair numbers9per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 76 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 38 fish
2025Lengths measured · 3 fish
2024Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2023Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 26 fish
2022Northern pikeGood numbers11.2per gill net18"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 210 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2024Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 97 fish
2023Lengths measured · 105 fish
2021Lengths measured · 101 fish
2018BluegillJust a few5.5per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 142 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 61 fish
2024Lengths measured · 73 fish
2023Lengths measured · 8 fish
2021Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 83 fish
2018CrappieJust a few1.6per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2024Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 44 fish
2023Lengths measured · 16 fish
2021Lengths measured · 24 fish
2018Rock bassExcellent numbers5.8per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 157 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 27 fish
2024Lengths measured · 75 fish
2023Lengths measured · 55 fish
2021Lengths measured · 129 fish
2018Rates 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 Round Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13.6 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 125 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. At 13.6 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 125 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 | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19" | — | 18" |
| 2024 | 26" | 24" | 7" |
| 2023 | 27" | 33" | 19" |
| 2022 | — | — | 17" |
| 2021 | 25" | 34" | 13" |
| 2018 | 26" | 33" | 19" |
| 2013 | 26" | 32" | 19" |
| 2008 | 28" | 30" | 19" |
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
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 | 8,710 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,862 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 6,191 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 5,018 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 7,112 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 11,914 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,489 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted electrofishing survey focusing on Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass was conducted on 5/27/2025, to better evaluate Bass numbers and in particular Smallmouth Bass. Smallmouth Bass have declined below the lake's management goal based on gill net catches in 2021 (0.1 per net) and 2023 (0.3 per net). Four electrofishing surveys have been done on the lake in 1998, 2018, 2022, and 2025. Smallmouth Bass catch rates in 2025 (21.7 per hour) appeared to be up from 2018 (6.7 per hour) and 2022 (14.4 per hour), but still below the catch rate in 1998 (32 per hour). In the most recent assessment, Smallmouth Bass ranged from 9.3 to 18.5 inches and averaged 14.0 inches, similar to previous electrofishing assessments. It is possible that species composition (e.g. increased Northern Pike or Largemouth Bass) or habitat variables (e.g. increased water clarity over time) may account for some of the declining numbers in gill nets.
Largemouth Bass catch rates in 2025 (26.9 per hour) were down from 2022 (50.6 per hour) and similar to 2018 (29.3 per Hour). Fish ranged from 3.5 to 18.31 inches and averaged 10.8 inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Round Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Round 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
- Round Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Round Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Turtle Lake · 108 ac · 1.3 mi
- Big Pine Lake · 638 ac · 1.9 mi
- Partridge Lake · 188 ac · 1.9 mi
- Borden Lake · 1,011 ac · 3.4 mi
- Bay Lake · 2,330 ac · 4.3 mi
- Hanks Lake · 165 ac · 4.9 mi
- Crooked Lake · 463 ac · 5.2 mi
- Portage Lake · 287 ac · 5.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Round Lake?
Round Lake reaches 125 ft at its deepest point; about 44% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Round Lake?
Round Lake covers 737 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Round Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Round Lake average 13.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Round Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Round Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Round Lake have a public access?
Yes. Round Lake has one public access site: Round Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Round 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 2008.
When was Round Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Round Lake in 2025, the most recent of 23 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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