Minnesota · Hubbard County
Waboose Lake Fishing guide
Waboose Lake sits in Hubbard County, Minnesota, and covers 175 acres, reaching 32 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 16.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers7.5per gill net23"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 51 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 51 fish
2024Lengths measured · 98 fish
2014Lengths measured · 61 fish
2009Lengths measured · 66 fish
2004BluegillJust a few3.4per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 74 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 74 fish
2024Lengths measured · 113 fish
2014Lengths measured · 86 fish
2009Lengths measured · 103 fish
2004CrappieJust a few1per trap net5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 43 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 43 fish
2024Lengths measured · 37 fish
2014Lengths measured · 31 fish
2009Lengths measured · 42 fish
2004Yellow perchFair numbers1.8per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 12 fish
2024Lengths measured · 31 fish
2014Lengths measured · 125 fish
2009Lengths measured · 92 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 Waboose Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 16.2 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. With 81% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 16.2 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. With 81% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 34" | 19" | — |
| 2014 | 30" | 19" | 27" |
| 2009 | 32" | 19" | 27" |
| 2004 | 31" | 20" | 26" |
| 1999 | 25" | 19" | 25" |
| 1994 | — | 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 · 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
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Swim Jig + Paddletail Trailer
3.5–4.5" paddletail trailer on a bullet-nosed swim jig
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Walleye | 145,965 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Waboose Lake is located in southern Hubbard County, 6.5 miles north of Nevis. Waboose Lake has a surface area of 175 acres and a maximum depth of 32 feet. Waboose is a relatively shallow lake with over 80% of the lake area less than 15 feet deep. The shoreline of Waboose is undeveloped, as the lake lies entirely within the Paul Bunyan State Forest. A DNR-owned earthen public access is located on the northwest shore of the lake on a forest road that comes off Inner Forest Road.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Waboose is in Lake Class 35. Class 35 lakes are generally shallow with very high littoral area (less than 15 feet deep) and are very irregularly shaped. Other class 35 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Middle Crooked, Crystal, Frontenac, and Pickerel.
Read the full DNR narrative
Waboose Lake provides multi species opportunities to the angler for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and limited numbers of Walleye and Yellow Perch.
Black Crappie and Bluegill numbers have fluctuated in the past. Black Crappie numbers were average compared to similar lakes while Bluegill numbers were lower than comparable lakes. Black Crappies were on the smaller side with most fish under 8 inches, with fish up to 10.4 inches measured. Bluegills also on the smaller side with an average of 5.5 inches, with some fish up to 7.5 inches measured.
Northern Pike can be found in moderate numbers. The average Northern Pike length was 23 inches and 2.6 pounds, with fish measured up to 34.5 inches.
Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Waboose. 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.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Waboose Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Waboose 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
- Waboose Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Waboose Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- East Crooked Lake · 379 ac · 1.9 mi
- Middle Crooked Lake · 289 ac · 2.2 mi
- West Crooked Lake · 270 ac · 2.9 mi
- Indian Lake · 51 ac · 3.3 mi
- Crow Wing Lake · 47 ac · 3.8 mi
- Dead Lake · 131 ac · 4.2 mi
- Mantrap Lake · 1,618 ac · 4.4 mi
- Spider Lake · 570 ac · 4.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Waboose Lake?
Waboose Lake reaches 32 ft at its deepest point; about 81% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Waboose Lake?
Waboose Lake covers 175 acres with about 5.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Waboose Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Waboose Lake average 16.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Waboose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Waboose Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2016.
Does Waboose Lake have a public access?
Yes. Waboose Lake has one public access site: Waboose Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Waboose Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 34"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Waboose Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Waboose Lake in 2024, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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