Minnesota · Becker County
Straight Lake Fishing guide
Straight Lake sits in Becker County, Minnesota, and covers 471 acres, reaching 63 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 7.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Good numbers5per gill net17"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 45 fish
2025Lengths measured · 49 fish
2020Lengths measured · 93 fish
2015Lengths measured · 83 fish
2010Largemouth bassFair numbers42.4per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 62 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 62 fish
2025Lengths measured · 9 fish
2020Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 48 fish
2015Lengths measured · 100 fish
2010No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers9.3per gill net23"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 85 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 85 fish
2025Lengths measured · 141 fish
2020Lengths measured · 59 fish
2015Lengths measured · 54 fish
2010Present in recent DNR surveys.
BluegillJust a few21.8per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 335 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 335 fish
2025Lengths measured · 255 fish
2020Lengths measured · 192 fish
2015Lengths measured · 418 fish
2010CrappieJust a few1.6per trap net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 124 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 124 fish
2025Lengths measured · 29 fish
2020Lengths measured · 23 fish
2015Lengths measured · 41 fish
2010Yellow perchGood numbers9.9per gill net5"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 96 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 96 fish
2025Lengths measured · 119 fish
2020Lengths measured · 199 fish
2015Lengths measured · 315 fish
2010Rock bassGood numbers1.3per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 16 fish
2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2020Lengths measured · 10 fish
2015Lengths measured · 14 fish
2010Rates 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 Straight 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 63 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.
- 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 63 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 25" | 20" | 34" |
| 2020 | 27" | 17" | 36" |
| 2015 | 28" | 17" | 36" |
| 2010 | 29" | 17" | 34" |
| 2005 | 29" | 19" | 30" |
| 2000 | 26" | 17" | 32" |
| 1995 | 26" | 12" | 30" |
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 · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 2,185 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 6,735 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 8,875 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 11,106 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 8,854 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Straight Lake (DOW # 03-0010-00) is located in Osage, in eastern Becker County. Straight lake has a surface area of 471 acres and a maximum depth of 63 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the south shore of the lake off Hwy 34. Straight Lake provides fishing opportunities for Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Straight Lake is in Lake Class 25. Lake Class 25 lakes generally have a very high percentage of littoral area (depths less than 15 feet), with very irregularly shaped shoreline. Other Lake Class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, Eagle, Island, Little Mantrap, Little Sand, Mantrap, Ojibway, Spider, Third Crow Wing, Two Inlets, and West Crooked.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye abundance remained stable from the previous survey and was abundant compared to other Lake Class 25 lakes. The average length and weight of Walleye were 17.1 inches and 1.93 pounds, with fish sampled up to 25.2 inches. Yellow Perch are an important forage for Walleye and Northern Pike. Yellow Perch abundance was down from previous surveys and the lowest on record, but comparable to other Lake Class 25 lakes. However, Yellow Perch were small with an average length of 5.8 inches, and no perch were sampled over 7 inches.
Northern Pike abundance was on the higher side compared to similar lakes. The average length and weight of Northern Pike has increased from past surveys to 24.0 inches and 3.16 pounds. The largest Northern Pike sampled was 34.2 inches. For the first time ever, a Muskellunge was sampled during the lake survey while there have been some reports of anglers catching them in the past.
Straight Lake has been a popular lake for panfish, especially during the winter. Angling opportunities include Black Crappie and Bluegill. Black Crappie abundance was high but fish were smaller in size with an average length of 7.6 inches, but anglers can find acceptable sized Black Crappies in the 9-11.5-inch range. Most Bluegill sampled were 4-7 inches with some sampled over 9 inches.
There is a Tullibee sport gill netting season in December on Straight Lake. They are an important forage species for larger Walleye and Northern Pike. Tullibee abundance was the highest ever recorded with an average length of 11.6 inches, with fish sampled up to 18.0 inches.
Other species sampled include Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Straight Lake. 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.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Straight Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Straight 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
- Straight Lake (trailer launch)
- Straight Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Straight Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Shipman Lake · 61 ac · 6.6 mi
- Two Inlets Lake · 578 ac · 6.7 mi
- Portage Lake · 429 ac · 7 mi
- Bass Lake · 130 ac · 7.6 mi
- Blueberry Lake · 88 ac · 7.7 mi
- Little Long Lake · 13 ac · 8.6 mi
- Shell Lake · 3,147 ac · 8.8 mi
- Boot Lake · 385 ac · 9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Straight Lake?
Straight Lake reaches 63 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 15 ft; about 38% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Straight Lake?
Straight Lake covers 471 acres with about 9.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Straight Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Straight Lake average 7.6 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Straight Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Straight Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Straight Lake have a public access?
Yes. Straight Lake has 2 public access sites, including Straight Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Straight Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Straight Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Straight Lake in 2025, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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