Minnesota · Cass County
Washburn Lake Fishing guide
Washburn Lake covers 1,590 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 111 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 13.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 27 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers2.6per gill net19"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 86 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 13 fish
2025Lengths measured · 35 fish
2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2023Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassJust a few6.2per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 49 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2023Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 23 fish
2021Lengths measured · 7 fish
2017Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Smallmouth bassJust a few0.9per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 22 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2023Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2021Lengths measured · 14 fish
2017Northern pikeJust a few3.6per gill net18"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 126 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 64 fish
2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2023Lengths measured · 51 fish
2021Lengths measured · 49 fish
2017BluegillJust a few11.8per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 404 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 44 fish
2024Lengths measured · 180 fish
2023Lengths measured · 180 fish
2021Lengths measured · 33 fish
2017CrappieJust a few1.8per trap net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 100 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 33 fish
2024Lengths measured · 27 fish
2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2021Lengths measured · 17 fish
2017Yellow perchJust a few0.6per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 18 fish
2021Lengths measured · 2 fish
2017Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2015Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rock bassGood numbers1.4per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 94 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 38 fish
2024Lengths measured · 23 fish
2023Lengths measured · 33 fish
2021Lengths measured · 18 fish
2017Rates 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 Washburn Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13.2 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 111 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 13.2 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. On a lake that drops to 111 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15" | — | — |
| 2024 | 24" | 17" | 17" |
| 2023 | 24" | 10" | 19" |
| 2022 | 19" | — | — |
| 2021 | 27" | 15" | 18" |
| 2020 | 14" | — | — |
| 2019 | 19" | — | — |
| 2018 | 18" | — | — |
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 | 12,716 fingerlings · 11,220 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 56,000 |
| 2021 | Walleye | 3,638 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 750,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,880 fingerlings · 358 yearlings · 384 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 56,100 |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Walleye are currently stocked in Washburn as frylings (when available) or fingerlings in alternate (even-numbered) years. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 24th, 2025, to assess young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye abundance. The total sample time was 2 hours, which resulted in no YOY Walleye being captured. Previous catches ranged from 0 to 47.0 per hour. Walleye age 1 and older were captured at a rate of 6.5 per hour. These fish ranged in size from 7.4 to 15.8, with a mean length of 10.1 inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Washburn Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Washburn 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
- Washburn Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Washburn Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Margaret Lake · 18 ac · 1.2 mi
- Marion Lake · 12 ac · 1.4 mi
- George Lake · 613 ac · 2.1 mi
- Little Andrus Lake · 27 ac · 2.9 mi
- Bass Lake · 195 ac · 3 mi
- Pavelgrit Lake · 18 ac · 3.1 mi
- Roosevelt Lake · 1,511 ac · 4.1 mi
- Lawrence Lake · 225 ac · 4.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Washburn Lake?
Washburn Lake reaches 111 ft at its deepest point; about 47% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Washburn Lake?
Washburn Lake covers 1,590 acres with about 19.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Washburn Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Washburn Lake average 13.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Washburn Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Washburn Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Washburn Lake have a public access?
Yes. Washburn Lake has one public access site: Washburn Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Washburn 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 2018.
When was Washburn Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Washburn Lake in 2025, the most recent of 27 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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