Minnesota · Cass County
Steamboat Lake Fishing guide
Steamboat Lake sits in Cass County, Minnesota, and covers 1,756 acres, reaching 93 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 9.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.6per gill net13"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 147 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 78 fish
2024Lengths measured · 69 fish
2021Lengths measured · 49 fish
2018Lengths measured · 80 fish
2014Largemouth bassJust a few8.8per hr (electrofishing)5"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2024Lengths measured · 22 fish
2021Lengths measured · 16 fish
2018Lengths measured · 13 fish
2014Northern pikeFair numbers8.6per gill net19"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 267 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 163 fish
2024Lengths measured · 104 fish
2021Lengths measured · 124 fish
2018Lengths measured · 154 fish
2014BluegillJust a few3.4per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 133 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 91 fish
2024Lengths measured · 42 fish
2021Lengths measured · 217 fish
2018Lengths measured · 116 fish
2014CrappieJust a few0.2per trap net11"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2018Lengths measured · 15 fish
2014Yellow perchGood numbers11.7per gill net5"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 408 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 206 fish
2024Lengths measured · 202 fish
2021Lengths measured · 208 fish
2018Lengths measured · 440 fish
2014Rock bassOne of the best around6.9per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 268 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 125 fish
2024Lengths measured · 143 fish
2021Lengths measured · 60 fish
2018Lengths measured · 85 fish
2014Rates 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 Steamboat Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- 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 93 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.
- 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 93 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 | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25" | 32" | 18" |
| 2021 | 28" | 33" | 12" |
| 2018 | 26" | 31" | 17" |
| 2014 | 30" | 35" | 18" |
| 2006 | 25" | 33" | 15" |
| 2003 | 28" | 37" | 9" |
| 2000 | 30" | 38" | 19" |
| 1997 | 27" | 35" | 17" |
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
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Hover Shot
3–4" soft jerkbait minnow nose-rigged on a 90°-eye hover head so it hangs dead level
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 | 534,060 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 270,135 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 533,250 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 267,525 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 533,875 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 17,400 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 533,965 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 4,480 yearlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 532,575 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Steamboat Lake (DOW# 11-0504; Lake Class 22) with 8.24 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 93 feet located northwest of Walker, MN. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access is located on the east shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Steamboat Lake is in Lake Class 22; lakes in this class are generally clear, large, deep lakes with a low percentage of shallow water area and have very irregularly shaped shorelines with many bays or points. Other area lakes in this class include Little Boy (DOW# 11-0167; Lake Class 22), Ten Mile (DOW# 11-0413; Lake Class 22), and Wabedo (DOW# 11-0171; Lake Class 22). The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Tullibee (Cisco) and Yellow Perch. Steamboat Lake is designated infested with Zebra Mussels.
Northern Pike abundance was the highest observed in this lake and exceeded the maximum management goals in 2024. Lengths ranged from 14 to 33 inches with an average length and weight of 21 inches and 2.1 pounds. Length based goals were not met for Northern Pike. Walleye abundance has increased from the previous survey in 2021 and met the management goals. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 9 to 25 inches, with an average length and weight of 16 inches and 1.6 pounds. A targeted fall electrofishing survey was conducted to sample young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye and evaluate the 2024 fry stocking, resulting in the highest observed in this lake. Mean length of YOY Walleye was 7 inches. Yellow Perch abundance was below management goals however numbers have been increasing, Yellow Perch measuring up to 11 inches were sampled. Bluegill and Black Crappie can also provide additional quality fishing opportunities to anglers. Bluegills up to 9 inches and Black Crappie over 14 inches were sampled.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other fish species sampled include, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. To date, Zebra Mussels and Rusty Crayfish have been identified in Steamboat Lake. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Steamboat Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Steamboat 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
- Steamboat Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Steamboat Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Portage Lake · 361 ac · 3.2 mi
- Crooked Lake · 582 ac · 4.5 mi
- Hart Lake · 226 ac · 4.7 mi
- Welch Lake · 196 ac · 4.8 mi
- Garfield Lake · 972 ac · 4.9 mi
- Thirteen Lake · 555 ac · 5.5 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 264 ac · 6.1 mi
- Pike Bay Lake · 4,756 ac · 7.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Steamboat Lake?
Steamboat Lake reaches 93 ft at its deepest point; about 30% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Steamboat Lake?
Steamboat Lake covers 1,756 acres with about 8.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Steamboat Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Steamboat Lake average 9.3 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Steamboat Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Steamboat Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Steamboat Lake have a public access?
Yes. Steamboat Lake has one public access site: Steamboat Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Steamboat 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 1997.
When was Steamboat Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Steamboat Lake in 2024, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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