Minnesota · Jackson County
Round Lake Fishing guide
Round Lake sits in Jackson County, Minnesota, and covers 930 acres, reaching 9 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 26 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025One of the best around12.9per gill net6"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 698 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2025Lengths measured · 213 fish
2025Lengths measured · 89 fish
2024Lengths measured · 93 fish
2023No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few2.3per gill net23"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 48 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 28 fish
2025Lengths measured · 14 fish
2023Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2019No recent survey rating.
CrappieGood numbers27.2per trap net4"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 794 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 54 fish
2025Lengths measured · 513 fish
2023Lengths measured · 227 fish
2021Lengths measured · 84 fish
2019Yellow perchLast stocked 2016One of the best around34.6per gill net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 352 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 26 fish
2025Lengths measured · 266 fish
2023Lengths measured · 60 fish
2021Lengths measured · 99 fish
2019Channel catfishGood numbers1.9per gill net23"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 22 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2025Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2023Lengths measured · 5 fish
2021Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2019Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
White bassExcellent numbers18.1per gill net6"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 294 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 84 fish
2025Lengths measured · 94 fish
2023Lengths measured · 116 fish
2021Lengths measured · 269 fish
2019Rates 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. In 1 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 100% 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. A 9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 1 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops. A 9-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27" | 34" | 11" |
| 2024 | 6" | — | — |
| 2023 | 25" | 36" | 11" |
| 2022 | 17" | — | — |
| 2021 | 25" | 32" | 12" |
| 2020 | 8" | — | — |
| 2019 | 27" | 30" | 10" |
| 2018 | 8" | — | — |
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
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Yellow perch · Live bait
Clip-On Bobber + Worm
half to whole garden nightcrawler
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
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 | 256,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 236,750 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 236,750 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 473,500 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 473,500 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 473,500 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 473,500 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 474,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 474,500 fry |
| 2016 | Yellow Perch | 4,266 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Round Lake is a 1,024-acre lake located in Jackson County approximately two miles to the northeast of the City of Round Lake. Round Lake has a mean depth of 8.0 feet, and a maximum of 9.0 feet in typical years with more normal precipitation. The last several years Windom Fisheries staff have observed and have received calls from lakeshore owners and anglers about increasing submergent aquatic vegetation. What is interesting is that the primarily Sago Pondweed is quite abundant until July and quickly recedes or washes up on shore. Walleye are the primary management species, along with Black Crappie and Yellow Perch secondarily managed in Round Lake. Walleye have been stocked annually since 2018 (not stocked in 2020 due to COVID work shutdown). Sporadic natural reproduction occurs in Round Lake, thus LMS Walleye have been stocked because anecdotal evidence suggests that they may have a survival advantage and natural reproduction potential in southern Minnesota lakes. Black Crappie and Yellow Perch typically sustain themselves through natural reproduction provided conditions and habitat are suitable. A standard survey was conducted during the week of August 18, 2025 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and 12 trap nets.
Since 1983, Walleye catch rates have averaged 15.4 per gill net (excluding the 2005 catch rate of 152.5 per gill net). Prior to the 2025 survey, catch rates have varied from 7.7 per gill net in 2013 to 29.2 per gill net in 1994. In 2025, the lowest Walleye gill net catch rate during a survey was observed at 4.0 per net. The catch rate of 4.0 per gill net was within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.3 to 18.1 per gill net) but did not reach the management goal of 10.0 per gill net. Total lengths of Walleye ranged from 13.5 to 27.0 inches and averaged 20.5 inches. Age-3 Walleye were the most common year classes sampled, accounting for 69 percent of aged Walleye. Growth was fast when compared to other Walleye populations as mean length of age-3 Walleye was 16.0 inches. Condition of Walleye was poor (Wr=83), suggesting that competition for prey may be occurring in Round Lake. Stocking effectiveness and natural reproduction have been limited in recent years as only three-year classes of Walleye were sampled in the standard survey; however, fall electrofishing for young-of-the-year Walleye in 2025 resulted in a catch rate of 106.2 per hour, likely the result of fry stocking and/or natural reproduction. Walleye fingerlings averaged 5.7 inches in length and should be a strong year class if they survive the winter.
Read the full DNR narrative
Black Crappie in Round Lake are a classic example of the cyclical nature that is common in crappie populations, where years of high catch rates, typically from a strong year class that is produced when conditions are right, are followed by years of lower catch rates (years where harvest or natural mortality has decimated the once strong year classes). Black Crappie catch rates had steadily increased from 1.3 per trap net in 2009, with a strong year class produced in the early 2020's resulting in catch rates of 36.8 and 53.4 per trap net in 2021 and 2023, respectively. In 2025, the catch rate decreased to 2.3 per trap net, which is near the lower end of expected catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 per trap net). Lengths of Black Crappie ranged from 2.1 to 13.5 inches and averaged 8.5 inches. The management goal was met because the 2025 Black Crappie catch rate was within the desired range of catch rates (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net).
The 2025 Yellow Perch catch rate was 7.0 per gill net, a decrease from 79.7 per gill net in 2023, but within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Two-year classes of Yellow Perch were sampled (age-1 and age-3), with age-3 Yellow Perch comprising 92 percent of aged fish. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 6.4 to 11.1 inches and averaged 10.2 inches. The management goal was met because the catch rate was within the desired range of catch rates.
The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate was 1.7 per gill net, greater than the long-term average of 1.2 per gill net and within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.1 to 8.0 per gill net). Round Lake has consistently maintained a low abundance Northern Pike population through natural reproduction, as it has not been stocked with Northern Pike since 1984. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 16.1 to 34.3 inches and averaged 23.2 inches. Thirty-one percent of sampled Northern Pike exceeded the minimum size limit for harvest of 24.0 inches in length.
The White Bass catch rate decreased from 32.3 per gill net in 2021 to 18.7 per gill net in 2023 to 3.3 per trap net in 2025 and was within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.3 to 9.9 per gill net. White Bass lengths ranged from 5.0 to 17.2 inches and averaged 15.4 inches. Common Carp catch rates were 3.0 per gill net and 2.4 per trap net. Common Carp ranged in length from 16.4 to 31.9 inches and averaged 21.3 inches. One Black Bullhead was sampled in the survey. Other species sampled included Bigmouth Buffalo, Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, White Crappie, and White Sucker.
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 (E) (trailer launch)
- Round Lake (S) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Round Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Indian Lake · 197 ac · 4.7 mi
- Ocheda Lake · 1,691 ac · 7.4 mi
- Bella Lake · 180 ac · 9.7 mi
- Okabena Lake · 776 ac · 10 mi
- Heron (South Heron) Lake · 2,641 ac · 15.2 mi
- Rush Lake · 243 ac · 15.3 mi
- Little Spirit Lake · 624 ac · 16 mi
- Pearl Lake · 117 ac · 16.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Round Lake?
Round Lake reaches 9 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 8 ft; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Round Lake?
Round Lake covers 930 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Round Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Round Lake average 1 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Round Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, white 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 2 public access sites, including Round Lake (E) (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 2018.
When was Round Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Round Lake in 2025, the most recent of 26 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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