Minnesota · Lake County
Windy Lake Fishing guide
Windy Lake sits in Lake County, Minnesota, and covers 456 acres, reaching 39 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 8.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, northern pike, crappie and yellow perch in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeOne of the best around12.5per gill net12"Typical21"Biggest
Lengths measured · 100 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 100 fish
2020Lengths measured · 126 fish
2012Lengths measured · 106 fish
2009Lengths measured · 118 fish
1995Northern pikeJust a few2.3per gill net23"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 18 fish
2020Lengths measured · 12 fish
2016Lengths measured · 12 fish
2012Lengths measured · 24 fish
2009No recent survey rating.
Yellow perchFair numbers2.1per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 17 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 17 fish
2020Lengths measured · 281 fish
2012Lengths measured · 471 fish
2009Lengths measured · 28 fish
1995Rock bassExcellent numbers4.8per gill net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 38 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 38 fish
2020Lengths measured · 10 fish
2016Lengths measured · 24 fish
2012Lengths measured · 39 fish
2009Rates 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 Windy Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- 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.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21" | 36" | 8" |
| 2016 | — | 35" | — |
| 2012 | 22" | 36" | 8" |
| 2009 | 28" | 35" | 9" |
| 1995 | 23" | 31" | 9" |
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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Yellow perch · Live bait
Slip Bobber + Leech
jumbo or large leech
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 2024 survey
A targeted survey consisting of a temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was conducted in August of 2024 to assess the habitat available to Lake Whitefish in Windy Lake. Data collected during this survey will be used by the MPCA as part of an assessment of surface waters in the Lake Superior North Watershed. At the time of this survey, the TDO3 value was 18.2 degrees Celsius. This indicates that oxythermal habitat was poor for Lake Whitefish and failed to meet the water quality standard of a TDO3 of 17.2 degrees Celsius or less for lakes that support Lake Whitefish currently proposed by the MPCA. Lake Whitefish have been sampled in every standard survey of Windy Lake dating back to 1975 including the most recent survey in 2020.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Windy Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Windy 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
- Windy Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Windy Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- T Lake · 295 ac · 1.5 mi
- Organ Lake · 42 ac · 2 mi
- Lost Lake · 82 ac · 2.2 mi
- Whitefish Lake · 346 ac · 2.4 mi
- Bone Lake · 43 ac · 2.5 mi
- Frear Lake · 317 ac · 2.8 mi
- Silver Island Lake · 1,239 ac · 2.9 mi
- Coffee Lake · 130 ac · 2.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Windy Lake?
Windy Lake reaches 39 ft at its deepest point; about 44% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Windy Lake?
Windy Lake covers 456 acres with about 6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Windy Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Windy Lake average 8.1 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Windy Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, northern pike, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Windy Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Windy Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Windy Lake have a public access?
Yes. Windy Lake has one public access site: Windy Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Windy Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 21"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Windy Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Windy Lake in 2024, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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