Minnesota · Cass County
Ten Mile Lake Fishing guide
Ten Mile Lake covers 5,080 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 208 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 17.4 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 16 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.8per gill net18"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 150 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 74 fish
2024Lengths measured · 76 fish
2021Lengths measured · 116 fish
2018Lengths measured · 138 fish
2013Largemouth bassJust a few5.6per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 147 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 76 fish
2024Lengths measured · 71 fish
2021Lengths measured · 100 fish
2018Lengths measured · 64 fish
2013Smallmouth bassJust a few5per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2024Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 18 fish
2021Lengths measured · 36 fish
2018Lengths measured · 13 fish
2013Northern pikeFair numbers7.7per gill net17"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 236 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 122 fish
2024Lengths measured · 114 fish
2021Lengths measured · 130 fish
2018Lengths measured · 160 fish
2013BluegillJust a few8.9per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 330 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 160 fish
2024Lengths measured · 170 fish
2021Lengths measured · 249 fish
2018Lengths measured · 279 fish
2013CrappieJust a few0.4per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2021Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 20 fish
2018Lengths measured · 21 fish
2013Yellow perchGood numbers5.3per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 165 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 92 fish
2024Lengths measured · 73 fish
2021Lengths measured · 73 fish
2018Lengths measured · 78 fish
2013Rock bassOne of the best around13.1per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 501 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 212 fish
2024Lengths measured · 289 fish
2021Lengths measured · 200 fish
2018Lengths measured · 272 fish
2013Rates 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 Ten Mile Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 17.4 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 208 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. At 17.4 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 208 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 | 28" | 33" | 18" |
| 2021 | 27" | 29" | 18" |
| 2018 | 27" | 30" | 19" |
| 2013 | 29" | 32" | 19" |
| 2010 | 29" | 35" | 17" |
| 2006 | 27" | 30" | 16" |
| 2003 | 28" | 30" | 17" |
| 2000 | 23" | 35" | 15" |
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 · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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
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 | 32,378 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 28,943 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 21,112 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 28,681 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 30,060 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Ten Mile Lake is a 5,080-acre lake with 24.8 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 208 feet located north of Hackensack, MN. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access is located on the western shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Ten Mile 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, Steamboat, and Wabedo lakes. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye and secondarily for Bluegill, Black Crappie, Lake Whitefish, Tullibee (Cisco), and Yellow Perch. A standard survey was completed on Ten Mile Lake in 2024.
Northern Pike abundance was comparable to previous surveys meeting the management goal (<10 fish per net). Sampled pike ranged in length from 10 to 33 inches with an average length of 18.5 inches. Walleye abundance was comparable to the 2021 survey, though catch rates show a declining trend since 2013 and fell below the management goal (six fish per net). Walleye ranged in length from 7 to 28.5 inches with an average length of 18.5 inches. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass provide additional quality fishing opportunities to anglers. Largemouth Bass measuring up to 18 inches and Smallmouth Bass measuring 19 inches long were sampled. Additional sampling targeting these species is required to develop management goals. Yellow Perch populations persist at low abundance and generally consist of small fish. Lake Whitefish are present with fish up to 20 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was below the management goal with fish up to 8 inches sampled, and moderate numbers of Black Crappie up to 13 inches were present in catch.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other fish species sampled include Bowfin (dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, 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. Currently the aquatic invasive species (AIS) that have been identified in Ten Mile Lake include Zebra Mussels, Chinese Mystery Snail and Purple Loosestrife. 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
Ten Mile Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Ten Mile 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
- Ten Mile Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Ten Mile Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bass Lake · 278 ac · 2.5 mi
- Portage Lake · 277 ac · 2.6 mi
- Birch Lake · 1,267 ac · 2.8 mi
- Little Bass Lake · 114 ac · 2.9 mi
- Stony Lake · 563 ac · 3.9 mi
- Howard Lake · 386 ac · 4.1 mi
- Crystal Lake · 190 ac · 4.5 mi
- Island Lake · 78 ac · 5.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Ten Mile Lake?
Ten Mile Lake reaches 208 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 52.4 ft; about 26% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Ten Mile Lake?
Ten Mile Lake covers 5,080 acres with about 24.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Ten Mile Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Ten Mile Lake average 17.4 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Ten Mile Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Ten Mile Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Ten Mile Lake have a public access?
Yes. Ten Mile Lake has one public access site: Ten Mile Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Ten Mile 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 2000.
When was Ten Mile Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Ten Mile Lake in 2024, the most recent of 16 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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