Minnesota · Nobles County
West Graham Lake Fishing guide
West Graham Lake sits in Nobles County, Minnesota, and covers 519 acres, reaching 8 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 1.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, northern pike, bluegill and crappie in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers3per gill net19"Typical22"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 56 fish
2018Lengths measured · 206 fish
2017BluegillJust a few1.1per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2022Lengths measured · 155 fish
2018Lengths measured · 4 fish
1995Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappieGood numbers20.2per trap net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 208 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 208 fish
2022Lengths measured · 189 fish
2018Lengths measured · 3 fish
2014Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2010Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchLast stocked 2025Good numbers7per gill net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 26 fish
2022Lengths measured · 31 fish
2018Lengths measured · 9 fish
2014Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2010Channel catfishOne of the best around51.3per gill net8"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 162 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 162 fish
2022Lengths measured · 21 fish
2018Lengths measured · 18 fish
2014Lengths measured · 29 fish
2010Rates 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 West Graham Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 1.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 8-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 1.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 100% 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. A 8-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Northern pike | Channel catfish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8" | — | — |
| 2022 | 22" | 32" | 25" |
| 2018 | 24" | 37" | 31" |
| 2017 | 7" | — | — |
| 2014 | 26" | 34" | 22" |
| 2010 | 24" | 20" | 22" |
| 2006 | 20" | 31" | 16" |
| 2002 | 19" | 20" | 8" |
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
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Channel catfish · Live bait
Bullhead Bottom Rig
nightcrawler chunk or whole worm
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 | Yellow Perch | 2,000 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 259,500 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 259,500 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 259,500 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 259,500 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 265,162 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
West Graham is a 515-acre lake located approximately 8 miles southeast of the city of Fulda in Murray County. West Graham Lake is a class 43 lake that has a maximum depth of 8.0 feet. The substrate is characterized as having a sand and gravel border with muck and detritus in the deeper water areas. The watershed-to-lake ratio (watershed acres-to-lake acres) is 21-to-1 indicating medium to large watershed draining into the lake. The lake is connected to several lakes including Fulda and East Graham and fish movement can take place among the lakes. West Graham is managed primarily for Walleye while Black Crappie and Yellow Perch are managed secondarily. West Graham Lake was stocked with Lower Mississippi strain Walleye (LMS) fry in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 to expand this strain of Walleye locally. Prior to 2015, the Lower Mississippi strain was last stocked decades ago, but has persisted in several area lakes despite extensive stocking of Mississippi strain Walleye. A daytime electrofishing survey was conducted on September 12, 2025 to determine if natural reproduction occurred.
Age-0 Walleye were captured at a rate of 2.7 per hour in 2025, indicating that natural reproduction did occur but it was limited. Age-0 Walleye ranged in length from 5.5 to 6.0 inches and averaged 5.7 inches. Age-1 Walleye were captured at a rate 4.0 per hour. Age-1 Walleye ranged in length from 8.1 to 9.2 inches and averaged 8.1 inches. It is unlikely that a year class was produced in 2025.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
West Graham Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on West Graham 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
- West Graham Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- West Graham Lake (N) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
West Graham Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- East Graham Lake · 511 ac · 1.3 mi
- Kinbrae Lake · 98 ac · 2.5 mi
- First Fulda Lake · 123 ac · 5.6 mi
- Talcot Lake · 873 ac · 6.3 mi
- Lime Lake · 326 ac · 12.6 mi
- Louisa Lake · 230 ac · 13.8 mi
- Okabena Lake · 776 ac · 14.2 mi
- Timber Lake · 191 ac · 15.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is West Graham Lake?
West Graham Lake reaches 8 ft at its deepest point; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is West Graham Lake?
West Graham Lake covers 519 acres with about 3.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in West Graham Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on West Graham Lake average 1.8 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in West Graham Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is West Graham Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked yellow perch in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does West Graham Lake have a public access?
Yes. West Graham Lake has 2 public access sites, including West Graham Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in West Graham Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 22"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2002.
When was West Graham Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed West Graham Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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