Minnesota · Carlton County
Tamarack Lake Fishing guide
Tamarack Lake is a 235-acre lake in Carlton County, Minnesota, reaching 48 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 7.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 6 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers3per gill net19"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 19 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1 fish
2016Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2008Lengths measured · 11 fish
2000Northern pikeJust a few4.3per gill net17"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 33 fish
2021Lengths measured · 42 fish
2016Lengths measured · 38 fish
2008Lengths measured · 49 fish
2000BluegillJust a few4.7per trap net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 43 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 43 fish
2021Lengths measured · 64 fish
2016Lengths measured · 162 fish
2008Lengths measured · 42 fish
2000CrappieJust a few1.7per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 42 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 42 fish
2021Lengths measured · 96 fish
2016Lengths measured · 138 fish
2008Lengths measured · 50 fish
2000Yellow perchFair numbers2.3per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 18 fish
2021Lengths measured · 25 fish
2016Lengths measured · 59 fish
2008Lengths measured · 19 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 Tamarack 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 48 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 48 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24" | 14" | 28" |
| 2016 | 11" | 19" | 33" |
| 2008 | 22" | 14" | 36" |
| 2000 | 19" | — | 23" |
| 1995 | 20" | — | 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
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 | 3,168 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,099 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 3,951 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,024 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 3,520 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
A standard survey was conducted on Tamarack Lake during the summer of 2021 to evaluate and update information about fish populations and to evaluate the Walleye stocking program. Walleye is the primary management species for Tamarack Lake. The current management plan for Tamarack directs Walleye fingerling stocking at a rate of one pound per littoral acre every even year.
Walleye abundance of 3.0 per gillnet lift was average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Mean length was 17.9 inches. The proportion of adult Walleye that exceeded quality size (greater than 15 inches) was 72%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 20 inches) was 39%. All stocked year-classes from 2012 through 2018 were present and 100% of the Walleyes aged corresponded to stocked year-classes. In addition, one large fish captured that was nearly 25 inches long was assigned to the 2002 year-class.
Read the full DNR narrative
Black Crappie abundance of 1.7 per trapnet lift was below average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Average length was 8.2 inches and fish up to 10.9 inches in length were sampled. The proportion of adult Black Crappie that exceeded quality size (greater than 8 inches) was 71%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 10 inches) was 14%. Anglers may expect improving catch rates of Black Crappie in the next couple years with moderate abundances of fish present from the 2018 and 2019 year-classes.
Bluegill abundance was average at 4.7 per trapnet lift. Average length was 7.2 inches. The proportion of adult Bluegill that exceeded quality size (greater than 6 inches) was 71%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 8 inches) was 0%.
Northern Pike abundance of 4.3 per gillnet lift was average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Average size was small at 18.7 inches and 1.4 pounds.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Tamarack Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Tamarack 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
- Tamarack Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Tamarack Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Cole Lake · 142 ac · 2.4 mi
- Eagle Lake · 389 ac · 3.7 mi
- Lower (South) Island Lake · 320 ac · 5.5 mi
- Upper (North) Island Lake · 114 ac · 5.8 mi
- Cross Lake · 107 ac · 6.5 mi
- Springer Lake · 8 ac · 7.2 mi
- Blackwood Lake · 34 ac · 9.6 mi
- Round Lake · 554 ac · 9.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Tamarack Lake?
Tamarack Lake reaches 48 ft at its deepest point; about 75% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Tamarack Lake?
Tamarack Lake covers 235 acres with about 4.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Tamarack Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Tamarack Lake average 7.3 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Tamarack Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Tamarack Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Tamarack Lake have a public access?
Yes. Tamarack Lake has one public access site: Tamarack Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Tamarack Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Tamarack Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Tamarack Lake in 2021, the most recent of 6 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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