Minnesota · Cass County
Upper Gull Lake Fishing guide
Upper Gull Lake covers 422 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 54 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassJust a few17.1per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 9 fish
2025Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2021Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2019Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2013Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers7.6per gill net22"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 82 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 76 fish
2025Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 62 fish
2019Lengths measured · 84 fish
2013BluegillJust a few16.4per trap net4"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 315 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 215 fish
2025Lengths measured · 100 fish
2021Lengths measured · 198 fish
2019Lengths measured · 234 fish
2013CrappieJust a few1.2per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 20 fish
2019Lengths measured · 20 fish
2013Yellow perchFair numbers1.7per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 17 fish
2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 21 fish
2019Lengths measured · 49 fish
2013Present in recent DNR surveys.
Rock bassExcellent numbers1.3per seine haul6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 9 fish
2025Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 19 fish
2019Lengths measured · 10 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 Upper Gull Lake through the year
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 54 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.
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 54 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.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35" | 25" | 19" |
| 2021 | 21" | — | 15" |
| 2019 | 29" | 28" | 11" |
| 2013 | 37" | 25" | 14" |
| 2007 | 33" | 23" | 14" |
| 2001 | 40" | 25" | 18" |
| 1996 | 33" | 21" | 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:
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
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 · 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.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Upper Gull Lake is a 422-acre lake and is part of the Gull Chain of Lakes near the city of Nisswa in Cass County. Upper Gull can be accessed via navigable channels from Gull, Margaret and Ray Lakes. Largemouth Bass are the primary management species. Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are secondary management species. A special regulation requires the immediate release of all Northern Pike between 30 and 40 inches, with a possession limit of two fish and only one allowed over 40 inches. A standard survey using gill nets and trap nets was conducted in June 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information.
Largemouth Bass catches (0.6 per gill net) are up from the previous surveys and were the highest recorded catch for the lake. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 13.4 to 16.0 inches with an average length of 14.4 inches.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike numbers (7.6 per gill net) are up from the previous surveys with fish up to 35.2 inches captured. Anglers should have good opportunities to harvest fish with 91 percent of the fish below the 30 to 40 inch protected slot. Releasing larger Pike is encouraged to help create more opportunities for trophy fish.
Walleye gill net numbers (0.6 per net) are down from the previous survey with lengths ranging from 20.6 to 24.8 inches. Walleyes are not stocked into Upper Gull however they are stocked into connected Gull Lake every year. While there are not large numbers of Walleye in Upper Gull, the few available to anglers are of quality size.
Black Crappie numbers are up from previous surveys in trap nets (1.2 per net) and are down in gill nets (1.4 per net). With both gears combined 54% measured 8 inches or larger and 4% measured 10 inches or larger. Bluegill numbers (21.8 per trap net) are down from previous surveys with 17% at least 7 inches in length. Anglers targeting Panfish should expect action and an opportunity for harvest, not trophy fish.
Yellow Perch numbers (1.7 per gill net) are down from previous surveys and had a maximum length of 6.8 inches. Anglers might not have much interest in angling for Yellow Perch however, they are important prey species for gamefish.
Three Brown Trout were sampled in gill nets and ranged in length from 12.8 to 19.7 inches. These Trout came from Stoney Brook, a designated Trout stream, which flows into Upper Gull. While rare, on occasion Brown Trout have been sampled in past surveys and anglers have reported catching them in the winter.
Other species sampled in the latest survey include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Upper Gull Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Upper Gull 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
- DNR access: At channel narrows on north end of Gull lake off off Co. Rd. 77.
DNR bathymetry
Upper Gull Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Ray Lake · 143 ac · 0.6 mi
- Roy Lake · 320 ac · 1.3 mi
- Fawn Lake · 64 ac · 1.4 mi
- Edna Lake · 156 ac · 1.7 mi
- Margaret Lake · 251 ac · 2.1 mi
- Nisswa Lake · 219 ac · 2.3 mi
- West Twin Lake · 128 ac · 2.4 mi
- Lower Cullen Lake · 560 ac · 2.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Upper Gull Lake?
Upper Gull Lake reaches 54 ft at its deepest point; about 37% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Upper Gull Lake?
Upper Gull Lake covers 422 acres with about 8.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Upper Gull Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Upper Gull Lake average 9 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Upper Gull Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, brown trout, rock bass.
Is Upper Gull Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Upper Gull Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Upper Gull Lake have a public access?
Yes. Upper Gull Lake has one public access site: DNR access (At channel narrows on north end of Gull lake off off Co. Rd. 77.).
How big do northern pike get in Upper Gull Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 35"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Upper Gull Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Upper Gull Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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