Minnesota · Cass County
Wabedo Lake Fishing guide
Wabedo Lake covers 1,226 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 95 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 9.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 18 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers3.4per gill net17"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 132 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 81 fish
2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2022Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 46 fish
2021Lengths measured · 29 fish
2018Largemouth bassFair numbers27.6per hr (electrofishing)9"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2024Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2022Lengths measured · 15 fish
2021Lengths measured · 71 fish
2018Smallmouth bassGood numbers20.2per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 36 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2021Lengths measured · 22 fish
2018Lengths measured · 9 fish
2015Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers9.4per gill net20"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 243 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 122 fish
2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2022Lengths measured · 111 fish
2021Lengths measured · 106 fish
2018Present in recent DNR surveys.
BluegillJust a few17.4per trap net4"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1236 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 255 fish
2024Lengths measured · 535 fish
2023Lengths measured · 254 fish
2022Lengths measured · 192 fish
2021CrappieJust a few0.6per trap net9"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 136 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2024Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 95 fish
2023Lengths measured · 9 fish
2022Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 28 fish
2021Yellow perchGood numbers8.3per gill net5"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 292 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 144 fish
2024Lengths measured · 58 fish
2022Lengths measured · 90 fish
2021Lengths measured · 115 fish
2018Rock bassElite fishery4.3per seine haul7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 124 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024Lengths measured · 45 fish
2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2022Lengths measured · 66 fish
2021Lengths measured · 31 fish
2018Rates 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 Wabedo Lake through the year
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 95 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
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 95 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 | Smallmouth bass | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18" | 28" | 16" |
| 2022 | — | 21" | 16" |
| 2021 | 18" | 27" | 14" |
| 2018 | 18" | 27" | 17" |
| 2015 | 18" | 27" | 17" |
| 2012 | 17" | 28" | 16" |
| 2009 | 16" | 28" | 15" |
| 2005 | 13" | 30" | 17" |
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:
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
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
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
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 | 297,540 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 301,455 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 296,800 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 10,759 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 17,760 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Wabedo Lake on July 31, 2024 , to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 19.0 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 2.0 feet, indicating that limited oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.1 degrees C (64.6 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco; however, the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of this survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2022 and 2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicate variability of suitable oxythermal habitat, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2022. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Wabedo Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Wabedo 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
- Wabedo Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Wabedo Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Hunter Lake · 182 ac · 1.3 mi
- Mule Lake · 525 ac · 2.1 mi
- Little Boy Lake · 1,452 ac · 2.3 mi
- Hay Lake · 364 ac · 4.1 mi
- Blackwater Lake · 772 ac · 4.2 mi
- Rice Lake · 270 ac · 4.4 mi
- Woman Lake · 5,520 ac · 4.7 mi
- Girl Lake · 428 ac · 5.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Wabedo Lake?
Wabedo Lake reaches 95 ft at its deepest point; about 24% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Wabedo Lake?
Wabedo Lake covers 1,226 acres with about 11.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Wabedo Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Wabedo Lake average 9.7 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Wabedo Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Wabedo Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Wabedo Lake have a public access?
Yes. Wabedo Lake has one public access site: Wabedo Lake (trailer launch).
How big do smallmouth bass get in Wabedo Lake?
The biggest smallmouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 18"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2005.
When was Wabedo Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Wabedo Lake in 2024, the most recent of 18 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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