Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Upper Mission Lake Fishing guide
Upper Mission Lake covers 882 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 36 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.3per gill net17"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 55 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 55 fish
2022Lengths measured · 78 fish
2014Lengths measured · 64 fish
2007Lengths measured · 72 fish
2004Largemouth bassGood numbers55.6per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 90 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 90 fish
2022Lengths measured · 101 fish
2014Lengths measured · 305 fish
2007Lengths measured · 318 fish
2004Northern pikeOne of the best around15.8per gill net21"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 192 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 192 fish
2022Lengths measured · 168 fish
2014Lengths measured · 123 fish
2007Lengths measured · 101 fish
2004BluegillFair numbers31.6per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 474 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 474 fish
2022Lengths measured · 320 fish
2014Lengths measured · 749 fish
2007Lengths measured · 468 fish
2004Yellow perchExcellent numbers18.9per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 227 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 227 fish
2022Lengths measured · 97 fish
2014Lengths measured · 230 fish
2007Lengths measured · 193 fish
2004Rock bassGood numbers1.3per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 24 fish
2022Lengths measured · 6 fish
2014Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 27 fish
2007Lengths measured · 41 fish
2004Rates 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 Mission Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 12.7 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.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 12.7 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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.
- 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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass | Walleye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33" | 18" | 26" |
| 2014 | 37" | 17" | 26" |
| 2007 | 37" | 16" | 27" |
| 2004 | 35" | 17" | 29" |
| 1999 | 35" | 18" | 31" |
| 1994 | 36" | 17" | 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:
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
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
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
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 | 285 fingerlings · 436 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,801 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 6,144 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 4,100 fingerlings · 502 yearlings · 1 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,480 fingerlings · 680 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Walleye fingerlings have been stocked on a regular basis into Upper Mission since 1999. The current plan calls for 256 pounds in odd numbered years. The 2022 gill net catch was average for this type of lake (3.3/gill net). Average length was 19.4" and 97% of the fish were 12" or larger.
The northern pike catch was the highest to date at 15.8/gill net, although our goal is to get this below 5/gill net. Average length was 22.2" and 19% of the fish were 24" or larger. A special regulation on Upper and Lower Mission requires all northern pike from 24-36" to be immediately released. One over 36" is allowed in possession.
Black crappie numbers were relatively low at 0.3/trap net and 0.5/gill net with 67% measuring 8" or larger. Bluegill numbers were good at 24.5/trap net, with an average length of 5.8" and 27% measuring 7" or larger.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Upper Mission Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Upper Mission 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
- Upper Mission Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Upper Mission Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bass Lake · 285 ac · 1.5 mi
- Lower Mission Lake · 732 ac · 1.8 mi
- Bonnie Lake · 76 ac · 2.5 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 922 ac · 2.7 mi
- Black Bear Lake · 218 ac · 3.3 mi
- Lougee Lake · 212 ac · 3.6 mi
- Silver Lake · 208 ac · 4 mi
- Island Lake · 126 ac · 4.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Upper Mission Lake?
Upper Mission Lake reaches 36 ft at its deepest point; about 29% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Upper Mission Lake?
Upper Mission Lake covers 882 acres with about 6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Upper Mission Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Upper Mission Lake average 12.7 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Upper Mission Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Upper Mission Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Upper Mission Lake have a public access?
Yes. Upper Mission Lake has one public access site: Upper Mission Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Upper Mission Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 33"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Upper Mission Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Upper Mission Lake in 2022, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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