Minnesota · Lake County
Snowbank Lake Fishing guide
Snowbank Lake sits in Lake County, Minnesota, and covers 4,655 acres, reaching 150 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 17.2 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Smallmouth bassPresent (last recorded 2017)2.5per gill net11"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 27 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 27 fish
2017Lengths measured · 106 fish
2010Lengths measured · 49 fish
2000Northern pikeJust a few2.9per gill net24"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 32 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 32 fish
2017Lengths measured · 59 fish
2010Lengths measured · 1 fish
2005Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 55 fish
2000Yellow perchJust a few1.1per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 12 fish
2017Lengths measured · 39 fish
2010Lengths measured · 2 fish
2005Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 43 fish
2000Lake troutPresentPresent in recent DNR surveys.
Present in recent DNR surveys.
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 35 fish
2022Lengths measured · 20 fish
2017Lengths measured · 61 fish
2013Lengths measured · 16 fish
2010Rock bassOne of the best around7per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 77 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 77 fish
2017Lengths measured · 370 fish
2010Lengths measured · 254 fish
2000Rates 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 Snowbank Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 17.2 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 150 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.
Lake trout
- Spring
- Lake trout are spread over the deep breaks and humps, still using the whole water column. At 17.2 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Lake trout are dropping fast down the humps toward the cold layer as the lake stratifies.
- Summer
- Lake trout are deep on the humps and sharp breaks, below the thermocline in the coldest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 150 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Lake trout are back up onto shallow rock, the humps and reefs where they spawn.
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 | Lake trout | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 28" | 35" | — |
| 2017 | 28" | 27" | 17" |
| 2013 | — | 30" | — |
| 2010 | 27" | 27" | 17" |
| 2005 | 21" | 29" | — |
| 2000 | 25" | 31" | 18" |
| 1996 | 23" | 32" | — |
| 1994 | — | 28" | — |
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
Lake trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Lake trout · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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 | 879,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Snowbank Lake on July 29th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 105.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 62.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 95.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 32.8 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 7.3 degrees C (45.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2010 and 2017 indicated coldwater habitat conditions were suitable in 2017 and unsuitable in 2010, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2010. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Snowbank Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Snowbank 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
- Snowbank Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Snowbank Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Parent Lake · 451 ac · 1.9 mi
- Flash Lake · 83 ac · 2.7 mi
- Disappointment Lake · 894 ac · 2.9 mi
- Skull Lake · 29 ac · 3 mi
- Newfound Lake · 643 ac · 3.2 mi
- Discovery Lake · 34 ac · 3.3 mi
- Boot Lake · 197 ac · 3.3 mi
- Splash Lake · 92 ac · 3.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Snowbank Lake?
Snowbank Lake reaches 150 ft at its deepest point; about 19% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Snowbank Lake?
Snowbank Lake covers 4,655 acres with about 43.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Snowbank Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Snowbank Lake average 17.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Snowbank Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Snowbank Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025.
Does Snowbank Lake have a public access?
Yes. Snowbank Lake has one public access site: Snowbank Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Snowbank Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Snowbank Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Snowbank Lake in 2024, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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