Minnesota · Cass County
Upper Trelipe Lake Fishing guide
Upper Trelipe Lake sits in Cass County, Minnesota, and covers 421 acres, reaching 69 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 13.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers2.9per gill net19"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 30 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 30 fish
2023Lengths measured · 22 fish
2019Lengths measured · 57 fish
2014Lengths measured · 116 fish
2011Largemouth bassPresent1.9per gill net14"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 20 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 20 fish
2023Lengths measured · 55 fish
2019Lengths measured · 41 fish
2014Lengths measured · 33 fish
2011Northern pikeJust a few4.7per gill net20"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 44 fish
2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2019Lengths measured · 42 fish
2014Lengths measured · 18 fish
2011BluegillJust a few3.4per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 65 fish
2023Lengths measured · 236 fish
2019Lengths measured · 176 fish
2014Lengths measured · 79 fish
2011CrappieJust a few0.3per trap net10"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2023Lengths measured · 136 fish
2019Lengths measured · 25 fish
2014Lengths measured · 9 fish
2011Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchJust a few0.9per gill net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 16 fish
2023Lengths measured · 35 fish
2019Lengths measured · 9 fish
2014Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 68 fish
2011Rock bassGood numbers1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 19 fish
2023Lengths measured · 21 fish
2019Lengths measured · 37 fish
2014Lengths measured · 86 fish
2011Rates 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 Trelipe Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13.3 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 69 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. At 13.3 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. On a lake that drops to 69 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 | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27" | 15" | 16" |
| 2019 | 20" | 18" | 18" |
| 2014 | 26" | 16" | 13" |
| 2011 | 24" | 19" | — |
| 2005 | 24" | 17" | — |
| 1998 | 24" | 20" | — |
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 · 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
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 | 1,101 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 3,846 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 798 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 2,416 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 3,418 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Upper Trelipe Lake is a 421-acre lake with 4.16 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 69 feet located southwest of Remer, MN. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access is located on the west shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Upper Trelipe Lake is in Lake Class 23; lakes in this class are generally deep and clear. Other Lake class 23 lakes in the Walker Area include Baby, Mule, Man, and Stony. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie and secondarily for Northern Pike, Bluegill, Tullibee (Cisco), and Yellow Perch. A daily limit of five Sunfish was implemented in 2022 on Upper Trelipe.
Walleye abundance did not meet the long-range management goal of at least six fish per net. Walleye lengths ranged from 12 to 25 inches with an average length of 18 inches. Northern Pike numbers are moderate and have remained within management goals since 1960. Sampled pike ranged in length from 16 to 36 inches with an average length of 21 inches. Black Crappie abundance was high, and lengths ranged from 4 to 12 inches with an average length of 9 inches. Bluegill abundance was similar to recent surveys but below management goals. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3 to 8 inches and fish averaged 5 inches long. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 6 to 16 inches. Yellow Perch abundance remained low, well below management goals. A total of six Smallmouth Bass were sampled ranging in length from 13 to 16 inches. The first year Smallmouth Bass were captured in any MNDNR gear was 2019.
Read the full DNR narrative
Other fish sampled in Upper Trelipe Lake included Bowfin, Green Sunfish, 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, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Upper Trelipe Lake. 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
Upper Trelipe Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Upper Trelipe 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 Trelipe Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Upper Trelipe Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lower Trelipe Lake · 618 ac · 1.7 mi
- Little Bass Lake · 136 ac · 1.8 mi
- Island Lake · 358 ac · 3.3 mi
- Mitten Lake · 113 ac · 3.4 mi
- Thunder Lake · 1,347 ac · 3.5 mi
- Inguadona Lake · 1,133 ac · 4.3 mi
- Mabel Lake · 184 ac · 5.3 mi
- Bass Lake · 195 ac · 6.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Upper Trelipe Lake?
Upper Trelipe Lake reaches 69 ft at its deepest point; about 34% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Upper Trelipe Lake?
Upper Trelipe Lake covers 421 acres with about 4.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Upper Trelipe Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Upper Trelipe Lake average 13.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Upper Trelipe Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Upper Trelipe Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Upper Trelipe Lake have a public access?
Yes. Upper Trelipe Lake has one public access site: Upper Trelipe Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Upper Trelipe Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Upper Trelipe Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Upper Trelipe Lake in 2023, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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