The lakes surrounding Brainerd and Nisswa are some of the most prestigious fishing lakes in the country. Anglers from miles away pay homage in hope that they will return with a trophy fish or at least a good story of one on the line. I sought to make my own pilgrimage, but as I began researching the area to book my fishing trip, I asked the question on every angler's mind:
"What is the Best Fishing Lake Near Brainerd and Nisswa, MN?"
With numerous lakes near Brainerd, identifying the best fishing spots is challenging. There are many excellent fishing lakes in the region and numerous "expert" opinions online offer varying suggestions. I imagine some of these suggestions are probably great advice. However, I wanted to research these lakes not based on highly subjective opinions but on real data.
As a jet engine design engineer, I appreciate data-driven decisions, especially when it comes to choosing where to fish. Instead of relying on expert opinions, I analyzed data from 18 lakes around the Brainerd area using the Minnesota DNR's latest lake survey data from the Lake Finder tool. After a thorough data analysis, I developed a method to rank the best fishing spots near Brainerd.
I was surprised because, based on my methodology, Lake Hubert emerged as the best fishing lake near Brainerd.
Looking through all the opinions online, I thought Mille Lacs was going to be ranked number one. But because the MN DNR Gill Net surveys showed solid Walleye, Largemouth, and Crappie populations in Hubert, this lake came out on top.
What is a Gill Net Survey?
Minnesota’s DNR takes fish surveys across the thousands of lakes they manage. They use Gill Nets, which are approximately 250 feet long, to capture fish. The fish are counted, weighed, measured and then thrown back. The DNR takes multiple samples across each lake which provides them data about whether the lakes are weak, healthy, or thriving fisheries. This data can also be used by anglers to determine which lake might be the perfect spot to catch the next state record!
My Methodology of Ranking the Best Fishing Spots Around Brainerd
Most anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Crappie, Smallmouth or Largemouth Bass. These are the species I used to rank the top 18 lakes and reservoirs surrounding Brainerd. The DNR takes multiple Gill Net samples when they complete a survey. For bigger lakes, they take more samples in order to accurately understand the health of the lake. For this reason, I could not merely count the number of fish the Gill Nets produced in each lake. Instead, I took the average number of Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Crappie, Smallmouth, and Largemouth Bass the Gill Net captured per sample. Different locations on different lakes may yield more or less, but the hope is that all the samples averaged together would provide an accurate picture of how healthy the lake or reservoir is. This allows me to compare small lakes to large lakes and get a sense of which ones are hot.
But if you are like me, then you do not just want to catch a ton of fish; you want to catch a ton of BIG fish. When analyzing lake and river fish surveys, it is important to find spots with big fish. I consider BIG FISH as Walleyes 20" or larger, Northern Pike 30" or larger, Bass 15" or larger, Muskie of any size, and Crappie 10” or larger. For each fish species, I calculated the percentage of BIG FISH captured. Then, I multiplied the CPUE (catch per Gill Net sample) by the percent BIG FISH. Then I added the total amount of BIG FISH per every Gill Net. This gave me the total amount of BIG game fish per Gill Net. I used this to rank the 18 best fishing spots around Brainerd.
2024 Best Fishing Lakes Ranked Near Brainerd and Nisswa
Here are the top fishing spots near Brainerd based on my analysis:
Area: 1,288 acres
Maximum Depth: 83 feet
Description: Hubert Lake in Nisswa tops the ranking due to its impressive population of big game fish. The lake offers excellent opportunities for catching large Walleyes, Crappies, and Largemouth Bass. Its clear waters and picturesque surroundings make it a favorite among local anglers. Not only does Hubert have solid BIG fish numbers, but it also has fish in abundance, with 18.8 Game Fish per Gill Net of any size. With great Walleye and diverse angling options, Hubert is a clear front-runner for me.
Area: 905 acres
Maximum Depth: 54 feet
Description: Clearwater Lake is highly regarded for its diverse fish populations, including significant numbers of big Smallmouth Bass in the latest survey and solid Walleye numbers. The lake's accessible fishing spots and beautiful scenery make it a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts.
Area: 413 acres
Maximum Depth: 27 feet
Description: White Sand Lake is known for its clear waters and excellent fishing opportunities. The lake supports a healthy population of Largemouth Bass and Crappie, making it a versatile fishing spot. While the Walleye per Gill Net was a low 2.3, the average Walleye length was 20.7 inches. These BIG Walleye may tempt you to target them instead of the Crappie and Bass.
Area: 128,250 acres
Maximum Depth: 42 feet
Description: Mille Lacs Lake is famous for its Trophy Smallmouth, Big Muskie, and solid Walleye fishing. With huge water and healthy and diverse fish populations, the lake is a top choice for anglers seeking a trophy. It is one of the 10 largest lakes in Minnesota, and of these Mille Lacs was ranked the best for Walleye production in 2024.
Area: 2,330 acres
Maximum Depth: 74 feet
Description: Bay Lake stands out for its diverse fish populations, including Northern Pike and Walleyes. The lake's variety of fishing spots and healthy fish community make it a worthwhile destination for anglers.
Area: 894 acres
Maximum Depth: 57 feet
Description: Sylvan Lake is notable for its big Northern Pike and that’s why it is ranked number 6. Pike were sampled in abundance and measured up to 37.5”. The lake's beautiful surroundings and productive fishing spots make it a great destination for anglers.
Area: 10,010 acres
Maximum Depth: 80 feet
Description: Gull Lake is a popular fishing destination known for its abundant Walleye and Northern Pike. The lake's diverse fish community and beautiful surroundings make it a favorite spot for both local and visiting anglers.
8. South Long Lake
Area: 1,309 acres
Maximum Depth: 47 feet
Description: South Long Lake is renowned for its healthy Walleye population and the presence of large game fish. Anglers can expect a rewarding fishing experience with ample opportunities to catch big Walleyes.
9. Pelican Lake
Area: 8,367 acres
Maximum Depth: 104 feet
Description: Pelican Lake stands out for its impressive numbers of big Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake is a hotspot for anglers looking to catch trophy-sized fish, with numerous opportunities for a successful day on the water.
10. Round Lake
Area: 1,650 acres
Maximum Depth: 51 feet
Description: Round Lake is a solid choice for Walleye fishing, with a good mix of big and medium-sized fish. The lake's balanced ecosystem supports various fish species, providing a well-rounded fishing experience.
11. Gladstone Lake
Area: 437 acres
Maximum Depth: 36 feet
Description: Gladstone Lake, while smaller, provides decent fishing for Walleye and Northern Pike. Its accessible location and quiet setting make it a convenient spot for local anglers.
12. Lake Edward
Area: 2,575 acres
Maximum Depth: 75 feet
Description: Lake Edward in Nisswa is notable for its abundant big Walleye population. The lake offers excellent fishing opportunities, especially for those targeting large Walleyes. Its healthy fish community and serene environment make it a favorite among local anglers.
13. Perch Lake
Area: 266 acres
Maximum Depth: 40 feet
Description: Perch Lake offers opportunities for catching Northern Pike and Crappie. The lake's serene environment and good fish population make it an enjoyable fishing spot.
14. Crow Wing Lake
Area: 379 acres
Maximum Depth: 26 feet
Description: Crow Wing Lake is a smaller lake but offers good fishing opportunities for Walleye and Crappie. Its tranquil setting and productive fishing make it a great spot for a relaxing day on the water.
15. Whitefish Lake
Area: 7,714 acres
Maximum Depth: 138 feet
Description: Whitefish Lake offers great fishing for big Walleye and Northern Pike. The lake's healthy fish population and scenic environment provide an enjoyable fishing experience.
16. North Long Lake
Area: 6,190 acres
Maximum Depth: 97 feet
Description: North Long Lake is known for its consistent Walleye fishing. The lake's good mix of fish species and accessible fishing spots make it a reliable choice for anglers.
17. Rice Lake
Area: 418 acres
Maximum Depth: 25 feet
Description: Rice Lake, though smaller, offers decent fishing for Walleye and Crappie. The lake's calm waters and scenic views make it a pleasant spot for anglers seeking a quiet fishing experience.
18. Gilbert Lake
Area: 357 acres
Maximum Depth: 45 feet
Description: Gilbert Lake is a smaller lake with limited fishing opportunities, but it still offers the chance to catch Northern Pike and Crappie. Its peaceful environment makes it a nice spot for a day of fishing.
Best Crappie Fishing Lakes Near Brainerd
1. Hubert
BIG Crappie per Gill Net: 1.55
2. White Sand
BIG Crappie per Gill Net: 0.73
Best Bass Fishing Lakes Near Brainerd (Largemouth + Smallmouth)
1. Clearwater
BIG Smallmouth per Gill Net: 3.36
BIG Largemouth per Gill Net: 0.31
2. Hubert
BIG Smallmouth per Gill Net: 0.48
BIG Largemouth per Gill Net: 1.27
3. White Sand
BIG Largemouth per Gill Net: 1.42
4. Mille Lacs
BIG Smallmouth per Gill Net: 1.15
BIG Largemouth per Gill Net: 0.03
Best Walleye Fishing Lakes Near Brainerd
I am going to rank Mille Lacs and Hubert Lake as the top two Walleye lakes, not just because of their BIG Walleye metrics, but because of the combination of their Walleye abundance and BIG Walleye metric. Both of these lakes have high numbers of Walleye per Gill Net, indicating abundant and healthy populations of Walleye in these waters, making them worthwhile to fish. For reference, Pelican Lake has 6.53 Walleye per Gill Net. While Pelican has a few larger Walleye by a small margin, Mille Lacs and Hubert have significantly more Walleye. Therefore, I believe these are the best Walleye lakes.
1. Mille Lacs Lake
BIG Walleye per Gill Net: 1.78
Walleye per Gill Net: 14.67
Description: Mille Lacs Lake ranks highest due to its exceptional Walleye population. With a high number of Walleye per Gill Net and a significant presence of large Walleyes, this lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for anglers looking to catch trophy-sized fish.
2. Hubert Lake
BIG Walleye per Gill Net: 2.25
Walleye per Gill Net: 6.92
Description: Hubert Lake is another top contender, boasting an impressive number of large Walleyes. The combination of a healthy Walleye population and the potential to catch big fish makes Hubert Lake a prime destination for Walleye fishing.
3. Pelican Lake
BIG Walleye per Gill Net: 1.24
Walleye per Gill Net: 6.53
Description: Pelican Lake stands out for its healthy Walleye population and the presence of large game fish. While it has fewer Walleyes per Gill Net compared to Mille Lacs and Hubert, it still offers excellent opportunities for catching big Walleyes.
4. Edward Lake
BIG Walleye per Gill Net: 1.25
Walleye per Gill Net: 5.4
Description: Edward Lake is notable for its solid Walleye population and the presence of large Walleyes. The lake provides a great fishing experience with ample chances to catch big game fish.
Best Northern Pike Fishing Lakes Near Brainerd
Sylvan
BIG Northern Pike: 1.29
Conclusion
As I plan my visit, I will make a point to fish Hubert and Clearwater. Of course, I will fish the iconic Mille Lacs for trophy Smallmouth. Even though Gill Net data does not guarantee fish in the boat, it does provide a good measurement of the health of the Brainerd fisheries. I am so excited to visit and target big-time Smallmouth, Walleye, and northern pike!
If you enjoyed this article, check out the Top 19 Fishing Lakes Near Ely, MN, or Top Fishing Lakes Near Duluth, MN:
Happy fishing!
References
Fisheries, M. a. (2024, January 26). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved from LakeFinder: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html