What is the Best Fishing Lake near Duluth, MN?
With hundreds of lakes and rivers near Duluth, identifying the best fishing spots can be challenging. There are many excellent fishing lakes in the region, and numerous opinions online offer varying suggestions. However, opinions can be highly subjective, making it difficult to determine the most reliable information.
As a design engineer for jet engines, I appreciate data-driven decisions, especially when it comes to choosing where to fish. Instead of relying on expert opinions, I analyzed data from 16 lakes and rivers around the Duluth area using the Minnesota DNR's latest lake survey data from the Lake Finder tool. After an hour or so of data analysis, I developed a method to rank the best fishing spots near Duluth.
Based on my methodology, Wild Rice Lake emerges as the best fishing lake near Duluth. While Wild Rice Lake is an excellent option, it is essential to consider the other highly ranked fishing spots in the area, which offer a diverse range of fish species, as discussed below.
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 Duluth
I focused on the key species that most anglers target: Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Crappie, Smallmouth, and Largemouth Bass. The average number of each species captured per Gill Net sample was calculated, along with the percentage of big fish (defined as Walleyes 20" or larger, Northern Pike 30" or larger, Bass 15" or larger, Muskie of any size, and Crappie 10” or larger). By multiplying the CPUE (catch per unit effort) by the percentage of big fish, I ranked the lakes based on the total amount of big game fish per Gill Net.
Most anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Crappie, Smallmouth or Largemouth Bass. These are the species I used to rank the top 16 lakes and reservoirs surrounding Duluth. 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 16 best fishing spots around Duluth.
2024 Best Fishing Lakes Near Duluth
Here are the top fishing spots near Duluth based on my analysis:
For reference, I included Game Fish per Net. This adds all of the major game fish caught regardless of size per Gill Net. It is a measure of fish abundance. Anglers can use this to help compare lakes with similar Big Game Fish numbers. For instance, Caribou is ranked 7th in terms of BIG Game Fish but there is very little separation between 2-7. When considering Game Fish per net, you could easily argue that Caribou should be ranked second.
Area: 2372 acres
Maximum Depth: 11 feet
Wild Rice Lake ranks highest due to its abundant big game fish populations, primarily due to its abundant BIG Crappie. The average Crappie size was a whopping 11 inches. The Walleye population is also healthy and self-sustaining, meaning no stocking is required. Wild Rice Lake is the stand-out lake in the Duluth area. If you enjoy angling Walleye and Crappie, then Wild Rice is the fishing spot for you!
Area: 330 acres
Maximum Depth: 16 feet
Strand Lake is due North of Duluth. Fish survey metrics drop significantly from Wild Rice to Strand. Strand only ranks high because of its solid Crappie numbers. But Wild Rice has three times better BIG Crappie numbers. Without good Crappie numbers, this lake would not be ranked very high.
Area: 3259 acres
Maximum Depth: 36 feet
Fish Lake Flowage is a solid lake for BIG Walleye fishing. In fact, fish survey data suggests that it is the best BIG Walleye lake in the Duluth area. Typically, there are special Walleye regulations, so review them before getting out on the lake.
Area: 488 acres
Maximum Depth: 60 feet
Pike Lake stands out for its BIG Northern Pike and abundant Walleye. The Walleye catch per Gill Net was over 15 fish per net, which is very strong and twice the number in Fish Flowage. It ranks lower because the Walleyes caught were mostly under 20 inches. But over half of the Walleye measured were between 15-19 inches and I consider those good eaters! Although my ranking system lists this lake 4th, it is arguably the best Walleye lake and a solid Northern Pike lake. In my mind Pike Lake is the second best fishery in the area.
Area: 1665 acres
Maximum Depth: 24 feet
Grand Lake is being managed for Walleye in recent years. The last survey conducted was in 2019. The lake has been recovering from a winter kill 2013-2014. The Walleye population has been improving. It is possible that if surveyed today, the lake would be ranked higher. But ultimately I do not have the data, so its ranked 5th.
Area: 176 acres
Maximum Depth: 58 feet
I probably should have excluded Little Grand Lake from my study since the lake does not have public access and the last survey was conducted over a decade ago. The survey suggests that Little Grand is a good Smallmouth Bass lake. So I will include the lake in my ranking, but this data is old and may not accurately reflect the lake anymore.
Area: 539 acres
Maximum Depth: 21 feet
Caribou Lake is straight North of Pike Lake and is managed for Walleye and Largemouth Bass. The lake was recently surveyed in 2023 and exhibited good BIG Walleye numbers, 1.8 Walleye per Gill Net over 20”. There are also abundant Walleye in the good eating range between 15-19”.
8. Chub Lake
Area: 313 acres
Maximum Depth: 28 feet
Chub Lake is West of Duluth and stands out for solid panfish populations and abundant small Northern Pike.
9. Park Lake
Area: 381 acres
Maximum Depth: 16 feet
Park Lake is West of Duluth and managed for Walleye and Largemouth Bass. The Walleye numbers are below average, but the Largemouth Bass numbers are above average. Park has some good panfish opportunities as well.
10. Leora Lake
Area: 263 acres
Maximum Depth: 35 feet
Leora Lake is North of Duluth and recent surveys showed some large Northern Pike in its waters. In fact, one Northern Pike measured between 40-44 inches and the average pike weight was over 5 lb.
11. Hay Lake
Area: 140 acres
Maximum Depth: 14 feet
Hay Lake is just South of Chub. It is a smaller lake with no remarkable findings.
12. Island Lake Reservoir
Area: 8001 acres
Maximum Depth: 94 feet
Island Lake Reservoir had the best survey results for Smallmouth Bass. The reservoir also showed two Muskies caught.
13. Big Lake
Area: 526 acres
Maximum Depth: 25 feet
Big Lake is West of Duluth and provides opportunities for Norther Pike, Large Mouth Bass, and Bluegill angling.
14. Boulder Lake
Area: 3260 acres
Maximum Depth: 18 feet
Boulder Lake is North of Duluth and is known for its Walleye fishing.
15. Thompson Reservoir
Area: 390 acres
Maximum Depth: 22 feet
Thompson Reservoir is notable for its Smallmouth Bass population. The reservoir did not rank high because the fish sampled were on the small side. But since Smallies are good fighters, the Thomspon Reservoir / St. Louis River may be a great place to target Smallmouth.
16. White Face Reservoir
Area: 4567 acres
Maximum Depth: 35 feet
White Face Reservoir offers decent Walleye and Crappie fishing. It is ranked last, but that is only because the fish were smaller. Survey data shows abundant Walleyes with over 9.5 sampled per Gill Net.
Best Crappie Fishing Lakes Near Duluth
1. Wild Rice Lake
BIG Crappie per Gill Net: 6.27
11” Average Size!
2. Strand Lake
BIG Crappie per Gill Net: 1.94
3. Caribou Lake
Crappie per Gill Net: 11.22
No BIG Crappie measured, but most abundant Crappie per Gill Net in the Duluth area.
Best Bass Fishing Lakes Near Duluth (Largemouth + Smallmouth)
1. Little Grand Lake
BIG Smallmouth per Gill Net: 1.33
2. Wild Rice Lake
BIG Largemouth per Gill Net: 0.80
3. Island Lake Reservoir
BIG Smallmouth per Gill Net: 0.70
4. Thomspon Reservoir
Most Smallmouth per Gill Net but smaller fish: 3.22
Best Walleye Fishing Lakes Near Duluth
I am going to rank Wild Rice and Pike Lake the top two Walleye lakes not because of their BIG Walleye metrics, but because of the combination of their Walleye abundance and BIG Walleye metric. Both of these lakes have Walleye per Gill Net just over 15. This suggests that there are abundant and healthy populations of Walleye in these waters and would be worthwhile to fish. For reference, Fish Flowage have 7.4 Walleye per Gill Net. So while Fish Flowage has a few larger Walleye by a small margin, Wild Rice and Pike have twice as many Walleye. Therefore, I think these are better Walleye lakes.
1. Wild Rice
BIG Walleye per Gill Net: 1.80
Walleye per Gill Net: 15.4
2. Pike Lake
Big Walleye per Gill Net: 1.3
Walleye per Gill Net: 15.3
3. Fish Lake Flowage
BIG Walleye per Gill Net: 2.19
4. Caribou Lake
BIG Walleye: 1.82
Best Northern Pike Fishing Lakes Near Duluth
1. Pike Lake
BIG Northern Pike: 0.94
Conclusion
These lakes near Duluth provide diverse and rewarding fishing experiences. Whether you’re targeting big Northern Pike, Walleye, or enjoying a day of Crappie fishing, these top-ranked lakes offer excellent opportunities. Always check the latest regulations and fishing reports to optimize your success.
There are some great fishing options near Duluth, but some of my favorite fishing lakes are a couple hours North in Ely, Minnesota. Check out these posts about Ely fishing!
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