Minnesota · Morrison County
Shamineau Lake Fishing guide
Shamineau Lake is a 1,434-acre lake in Morrison County, Minnesota, reaching 52 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 15.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 24 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 numbers4.8per gill net19"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1343 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 312 fish
2025Lengths measured · 104 fish
2024Lengths measured · 28 fish
2023Lengths measured · 124 fish
2022Largemouth bassJust a few3.3per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 748 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 349 fish
2025Lengths measured · 65 fish
2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2022Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 327 fish
2021Smallmouth bassJust a few0.8per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2024Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2022Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2021Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few4per gill net20"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 951 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 292 fish
2025Lengths measured · 68 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2022Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 585 fish
2021MuskellungeLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 99 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 66 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2022Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 32 fish
2021BluegillJust a few15.4per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 4238 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 1361 fish
2025Lengths measured · 334 fish
2024Lengths measured · 219 fish
2022Lengths measured · 2324 fish
2021CrappieJust a few1per trap net9"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1477 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 408 fish
2025Lengths measured · 31 fish
2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1028 fish
2021Yellow perchExcellent numbers17.3per gill net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1512 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2025Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 170 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2022Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1331 fish
2021Rock bassOne of the best around50.8per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 27 fish
2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2022Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 33 fish
2021Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates 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 Shamineau Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 15.6 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 52 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 15.6 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 52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30" | 19" | 17" |
| 2024 | 29" | 15" | 18" |
| 2023 | 12" | — | — |
| 2022 | 25" | 17" | 12" |
| 2021 | 29" | 20" | 14" |
| 2020 | 25" | — | 13" |
| 2019 | 26" | 13" | 10" |
| 2018 | 24" | — | 7" |
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 | Muskellunge | 72 yearlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 253 fingerlings · 5 yearlings · 3 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 360 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,500,000 fry |
| 2020 | Muskellunge | 87 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 95 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Shamineau Lake (DOW # 49-0127-00; Lake Class 27) is a 1,434-acre lake located near Motley, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the west shore and a township owned gravel boat ramp is located on the east shore. Shamineau Lake has 10.34 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 52 feet. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike, and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Muskellunge. The lake was initially surveyed in 1957, and 47 surveys/investigations have occurred since then with the most recent sampling occurring in 2025. In 2025, an assessment consisted of spring large frame trap nets, spring electrofishing for Muskellunge, and fall nighttime electrofishing for juvenile Walleye.
Walleye abundances were not assessed in 2025, but larger Walleye size structure were determined. There was a good representation of larger Walleye ranging in size from 12 to 30 inches in length. The average sized Walleye found in the ice out survey was 20.78 inches and the larger Walleye present should present a good number of spawning individuals for future years to come. The current management plan is to stock Walleye fry on an annual basis and evaluate their survival and growth every fall. The 2024 and 2025 fall electrofishing survey for young-of-year Walleye catch rates were 6.52/hour and 5.92/hour. Both are consistent, but still unsure of what the following years gill nets will show for results. The large frame trap nets can indicate the presence of larger Walleye, that anglers could catch in the immediate years.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike were found ranged in size from 12.20 to 33.31 inches averaged 21.45 inches in total length. There was about 29% of the pike sampled that measured over 24 inches and 5% of the pike sampled over 30 inches. What would be ideal for Shamineau Lake is to have a few larger fish over 24 and 30 inches and removing just a few larger pike could be a set back from producing a quality pike fishery. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small pike and release large ones as outlined in the 2022 fishing regulations for central Minnesota and Shamineau Lake.
There were 1,362 Bluegill captured in the spring large frame trap nets, with a subsample that was measured. Sizes ranged from 3.9 to 8.82 inches and averaged 7.25 inches. There was 408 Black Crappie also captured in the 2025 spring large frame trap nets ranged in size from 4.8 to 14.45 inches, averaged 10.47 inches. Both indicate that there are good recreational angling opportunities for the immediate future.
Largemouth Bass is a secondarily managed species on Shamineau Lake and in the large frame trap nets there was a respectable length distribution sampled. Largemouth Bass ranged in size from 8.58 inches to 19.84 inches and averaged 14.11 inches. Quality bass habitat is present and angling opportunities abound for Largemouth Bass and the occasional Smallmouth Bass. There were 5 Smallmouth Bass captured in the trap nets in the ice out survey in 2025.
Using large frame trap nets and electrofishing along with mark and recapture techniques, a population estimate to determine the number of Muskellunge in Shamineau Lake was conducted. Muskellunge was sampled from April 14th through May 2nd, 2025. The Muskie population was estimated to be approximately 108 adult individuals over 30 inches present throughout Shamineau Lake in 2025. Individuals ranged from 12.71 to 51.85 inches and averaged 42.73 inches. There were 6 individual fish captured over 50 inches and 84.2% of females over 45 inches. The population is considered low density, but data shows the presence of trophy sized fish.
Other species caught in large frame trap nets were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Shamineau Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Shamineau 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
- Shamineau Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Shamineau Lake (NW) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Shamineau Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Crookneck Lake · 191 ac · 0.9 mi
- Ham Lake · 42 ac · 2.3 mi
- Stanchfield Lake · 116 ac · 3 mi
- Round Lake · 104 ac · 3.1 mi
- Fish Trap Lake · 1,164 ac · 3.1 mi
- Alexander Lake · 2,709 ac · 4.1 mi
- Placid Lake · 538 ac · 5.8 mi
- Star Lake · 69 ac · 6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Shamineau Lake?
Shamineau Lake reaches 52 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 17 ft; about 52% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Shamineau Lake?
Shamineau Lake covers 1,434 acres with about 10.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Shamineau Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Shamineau Lake average 15.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Shamineau Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Shamineau Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Shamineau Lake have a public access?
Yes. Shamineau Lake has 2 public access sites, including Shamineau Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Shamineau 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 2018.
When was Shamineau Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Shamineau Lake in 2025, the most recent of 24 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Shamineau Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Shamineau Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report