Minnesota · Hennepin County
Whaletail Lake Fishing guide
Whaletail Lake sits in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and covers 510 acres, reaching 22 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 3.1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2021, with largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and crappie in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassPresent2per gill net16"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 21 fish
2021Lengths measured · 7 fish
2016Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2011Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 11 fish
2005Northern pikeFair numbers9per gill net23"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 66 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 66 fish
2021Lengths measured · 56 fish
2016Lengths measured · 8 fish
2011Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2005BluegillFair numbers39.4per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 408 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 408 fish
2021Lengths measured · 196 fish
2016Lengths measured · 208 fish
2011Lengths measured · 162 fish
2005CrappieJust a few5.9per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 159 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 159 fish
2021Lengths measured · 132 fish
2016Lengths measured · 154 fish
2011Lengths measured · 226 fish
2005Yellow perchExcellent numbers13.3per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 80 fish
2021Lengths measured · 2 fish
2016Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 45 fish
2011Lengths measured · 16 fish
2005Rates 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 Whaletail Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 3.1 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 92% 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. In 3.1 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 92% 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 | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34" | 19" | 7" |
| 2016 | 35" | 20" | 6" |
| 2011 | 32" | 15" | 8" |
| 2005 | 33" | 20" | 6" |
| 1999 | 34" | 17" | 6" |
| 1993 | 32" | 13" | 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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Whaletail Lake is 510-acres (469 littoral acres) with a maximum depth of 22 feet. Whaletail is located northeast of St. Bonifacious in southwestern Hennepin County. Public water access is provided by DNR Parks and Trails on the northwest side of the lake off of County road 92 and West Highland road (up to 16 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). Whaletail is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Black Crappie, but also supports catchable populations of Bluegill and Largemouth Bass.
A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was conducted on Whaletail Lake during the week of 7/26/2021 to assess the fishery. During the 2021 survey, Whaletail was productive (brown-green stained water), with low water clarity, measured at 3 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) below 11 feet during the survey period. Eurasian Watermilfoil has been found in Whaletail Lake and remains present.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (9.0/net), at a comparable rate to similar lakes in the metro. The 2021 survey marked the highest Northern Pike catch rate in the previous 25 years. Although record catches were recorded, this did not negatively impact Northern Pike size structure. There were 54 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 24.9 inches and the largest measured at 34.3 inches. Northern Pike size indices describe a balanced population (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Northern Pike growth was fast compared to similar lakes across the metro, with an average length of 22.7 inches by age 4. Northern Pike had an annual mortality estimate of 37%, and consistent recruitment, with 6 consecutive year classes present during sampling and age analysis. Northern Pike in Whaletail Lake appear to be thriving with high numbers, fast growth, consistent recruitment, and low mortality. As a reminder, anglers can keep 10 northern pike on Whaletail Lake, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released.
Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (17.5/net) and trap nets (5.8/net). There were 153 Black Crappie sampled during the 2021 survey, with an average length of 6.5 inches and the largest measured at 9.5 inches. Black Crappie in Whaletail Lake were mainly composed of small individuals with only 12% of fish sampled greater than 8 inches. Black Crappie growth was typical of the metro area, with an average length of 6.6 inches by age 3. Black Crappie mortality was high with an estimated annual mortality rate of 47%. While Whaletail Lake had been known as a crappie fishing destination, much of this was attributed to the White Crappie population. White Crappie were virtually non-existent from the 2021 survey with 3 fish sampled, and an average length of 6.5 inches.
Moderate numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (39.4/net). Although not an extremely high catch rate based on similar lakes, the 2021 catch rate was the highest Bluegill catch on Whaletail Lake in the previous 25 years. There were 355 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2021 survey, with an average length of 5.0 inches and the largest measured at 8.1 inches. Bluegill densities are currently high, leading to competition among individuals, in turn reducing growth potential, and keeping sizes low.
Largemouth Bass are present in Whaletail Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2021 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 21 Largemouth Bass, which averaged 15.4 inches, with the largest measured at 19.5 inches. Targeted boat-electrofishing is intended for the next survey (scheduled for 2026 + 1 yr).
Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, White Crappie, and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Whaletail Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Whaletail 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
- Whaletail Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Whaletail Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Long Lake · 70 ac · 1.2 mi
- Dutch Lake · 175 ac · 2.1 mi
- Parley Lake · 258 ac · 3.8 mi
- Oak Lake · 333 ac · 4 mi
- Stone Lake · 101 ac · 4 mi
- Zumbra-Sunny Lake · 271 ac · 4.7 mi
- Swede Lake · 433 ac · 4.7 mi
- Auburn Lake · 291 ac · 5.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Whaletail Lake?
Whaletail Lake reaches 22 ft at its deepest point; about 92% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Whaletail Lake?
Whaletail Lake covers 510 acres with about 6.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Whaletail Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Whaletail Lake average 3.1 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Whaletail Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Whaletail Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Whaletail Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Whaletail Lake have a public access?
Yes. Whaletail Lake has one public access site: Whaletail Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier).
How big do northern pike get in Whaletail 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 1993.
When was Whaletail Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Whaletail Lake in 2021, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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