Minnesota · Cook County
Tom Lake Fishing guide
Tom Lake is a 405-acre lake in Cook County, Minnesota, reaching 35 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 8.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, northern pike and yellow perch in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeGood numbers4.8per gill net12"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 43 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 43 fish
2023Lengths measured · 144 fish
2016Lengths measured · 73 fish
2013Lengths measured · 134 fish
2006No recent survey rating.
Yellow perchGood numbers8.4per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 44 fish
2023Lengths measured · 126 fish
2016Lengths measured · 47 fish
2013Lengths measured · 40 fish
2006Rates 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 Tom 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. With 83% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Yellow perch
- Spring
- Perch are draping eggs over flooded cover and weed stems on the shallow flats.
- Early summer
- Perch are spread over sand-grass flats and the first weed edges in loose packs.
- Summer
- Perch are over deeper soft-bottom flats and the basin, on the bottom and in schools. With 83% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Perch are roaming the mid-depth flats in loose schools, chasing young-of-year bait while it is still shallow.
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 | Yellow perch | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26" | 10" | — |
| 2016 | 29" | 11" | — |
| 2013 | 24" | 11" | 15" |
| 2006 | 26" | 11" | 23" |
| 2001 | 23" | 10" | 20" |
| 1996 | 21" | 9" | 26" |
| 1993 | 20" | 11" | 18" |
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
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Northern pike · Hardbaits
Weedless Spoon + Trailer (Silver Minnow)
3/8–1/2 oz weedless spoon
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Tom Lake is a 404 acre lake located approximately 7 miles northwest of Hovland. Public access is through a boat landing on the northwest side of the lake. Tom Lake part of the Lake Superior North watershed and is the headwater lake of the Swamp River. Tom Lake is primarily managed for walleye. The 2023 standard lake survey was conducted to monitor the fish community, record current limnological conditions, and evaluate walleye management goals currently in place for Tom Lake.
Walleye abundance was in the normal range for Tom Lake and met the current management goal. Catch rates are comparable to similar area lakes. Walleye ranged from 8.5 to 26.9 inches with a mean length of 14.3 inches. Aging results indicated the presence of 8 naturally reproduced year classes with the oldest individual appearing to be 23 years old. Back calculated growth rates indicated slower growth than similar area lakes with age 5 fish averaging 14.6 inches compared to an area average of 16.0 inches. Tom Lake continues to maintain a decent walleye fishery with some large fish present.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern pike catch rates are extremely low and had been declining since 1990. Only a single fish was found in the 2013, 2016, and 2023 surveys combined. Northern pike populations may not recover if they continue to be this low.
Lake whitefish and burbot represent the coldwater fish community in Tom Lake. Lake whitefish abundance was similar to recent surveys and fell within the normal range for similar Minnesota lakes (Class 6). Like past surveys, burbot were sampled in low numbers but were large in size.
Yellow perch catch rates were the highest recorded for Tom Lake and had been increasing since 2013. Catch rates were much higher than similar Minnesota lakes (Class 6). Yellow perch ranged from 5.7 to 10.5 inches with a mean length of 7.2 inches. Yellow perch not only provide excellent forage opportunity for walleye in Tom Lake but may also provide an angling opportunity for large yellow perch.
White sucker abundance was higher than previous surveys and had been increasing since 2013 but remain in the normal range when compared to similar Minnesota Lakes (Class 6).
Cook County, Minnesota lakes continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Tom Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Tom 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
- Tom Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Tom Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Moosehorn Lake · 66 ac · 3.1 mi
- Chester Lake · 52 ac · 4.5 mi
- Olga Lake · 13 ac · 4.8 mi
- Margaret Lake · 6 ac · 4.8 mi
- Esther Lake · 78 ac · 4.8 mi
- Bogus Lake · 18 ac · 5.3 mi
- Swamp River Reservoir · 165 ac · 5.5 mi
- Otter Lake · 75 ac · 5.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Tom Lake?
Tom Lake reaches 35 ft at its deepest point; about 83% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Tom Lake?
Tom Lake covers 405 acres with about 8.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Tom Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Tom Lake average 8.5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Tom Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, northern pike, yellow perch.
Is Tom Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Tom Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Tom Lake have a public access?
Yes. Tom Lake has one public access site: Tom Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Tom Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Tom Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Tom Lake in 2023, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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