Minnesota · Becker County
White Earth Lake Fishing guide
White Earth Lake covers 1,989 acres in Becker County, Minnesota, reaching 120 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 11.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeOne of the best around32.1per gill net14"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 295 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 18 fish
2025Lengths measured · 295 fish
2023Lengths measured · 165 fish
2020Lengths measured · 230 fish
2017Smallmouth bassJust a few0.6per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 67 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 67 fish
2023Lengths measured · 34 fish
2020Lengths measured · 38 fish
2017Lengths measured · 11 fish
2012Northern pikeJust a few2.6per gill net20"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2023Lengths measured · 14 fish
2020Lengths measured · 32 fish
2017Lengths measured · 37 fish
2012BluegillJust a few9per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 108 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 108 fish
2023Lengths measured · 3 fish
2020Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 390 fish
2017Lengths measured · 130 fish
2012Lake sturgeonLast stocked 2019Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2023Lengths measured · 63 fish
2020Lengths measured · 38 fish
2017Lengths measured · 90 fish
2012Rock bassOne of the best around13.3per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 168 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 168 fish
2023Lengths measured · 147 fish
2020Lengths measured · 221 fish
2017Lengths measured · 218 fish
2012No recent survey rating.
Rates 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 White Earth Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.8 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 120 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 11.8 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 120 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 | 7" | — | — |
| 2023 | 27" | 15" | 17" |
| 2020 | 25" | 16" | 16" |
| 2017 | 28" | 14" | 17" |
| 2012 | 20" | 17" | 16" |
| 2007 | 27" | 16" | 17" |
| 2002 | 25" | 12" | 11" |
| 1997 | 23" | 12" | 16" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Lake Sturgeon | 2,001 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Lake Sturgeon | 2,059 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Lake Sturgeon | 1,000 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Lake Sturgeon | 3,045 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basins in White Earth Lake, which is located wholly within the White Earth Indian Reservation, on August 7, 2025. This work was completed 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. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 70.2 degrees Fahrenheit and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperatures were adequate around 30 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration never decreased to 3.0 mg/L. TDO3 values cooler than 70.2 degrees Fahrenheit (21.2 degrees C) generally indicate that oxythermal conditions are suitable for Cisco.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
White Earth Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on White Earth 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
- White Earth Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
White Earth Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Net Lake · 231 ac · 2.1 mi
- McCraney Lake · 270 ac · 3.7 mi
- Strawberry Lake · 1,498 ac · 4.9 mi
- Big Sugar Bush Lake · 522 ac · 5.9 mi
- Snider Lake · 634 ac · 6.2 mi
- Tulaby Lake · 832 ac · 7.1 mi
- Little Sugar Bush Lake · 221 ac · 8.7 mi
- South Twin Lake · 1,127 ac · 8.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is White Earth Lake?
White Earth Lake reaches 120 ft at its deepest point; about 30% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is White Earth Lake?
White Earth Lake covers 1,989 acres with about 13.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in White Earth Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on White Earth Lake average 11.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in White Earth Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake sturgeon, rock bass, channel catfish.
Is White Earth Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked lake sturgeon in 2019; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does White Earth Lake have a public access?
Yes. White Earth Lake has one public access site: White Earth Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in White Earth 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 1997.
When was White Earth Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed White Earth Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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