The Brainerd Lakes area offers anglers so many walleye fishing opportunities. The area lakes are loaded with eater-sized walleye and trophy walleye up to 30 inches are possible on some of the better lakes in this area. Some of the popular walleye lakes in this area are Gull Lake, Round Lake, Pelican Lake, Farm Island Lake and Mille Lacs Lake, but these are just some of the lakes that you can fish for walleye. There are so many lakes in this area where you can target walleye and expect to catch some.
Bay Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Bay Lake is a 2,392 acre lake located about 4 miles south of Deerwood in Crow Wing County. Public accesses are located on the east and west sides of the lake. This lake is heavily developed and it is very popular among boaters and anglers. Northern pike are available in good numbers in Bay Lake. Other fish include walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. Perch are also available, but in very low numbers.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Black Hoof Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Black Hoof Lake is a 183 acre lake located a mile west of Ironton. There is a public access located on the south shore. The maximum depth is 29 feet with 44% of the lake being less than 15 feet deep. This lake is managed primarily for walleye. There are catchable numbers of walleye in the lake, but not an abundant amount of walleye according to the Minnesota DNR’s most recent gill netting numbers. There are good numbers of northern pike in the lake and some bigger pike are in the lake. Other fish include, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Cedar Lake (Aitkin County, MN)
Cedar Lake is a large, complex lake located in western Aitkin County approximately 3 miles west of Aitkin. There is a state owned public access with a concrete ramp located on the South side of the lake off of County Road 28. This Lake is comprised of seven basins that vary in size from several hundred acres to less than 40 acres. Anglers target walleye on this lake even though, walleye aren’t very abundant in this lake. Northern pike are here in good numbers and this lake has a muskie population with some big fish approaching 50 inches. Other fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Clearwater Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Clearwater Lake is 880 acres and is located about four miles south of Deerwood in Crow Wing County. Maximum depth is 54 feet and 29 % of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. There are good numbers of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in Clearwater Lake. Most of the lakes in the Brainerd area do not offer smallmouth bass fishing, so the smallmouth fishery is definitely unique to this area. There are catchable numbers of walleye and northern pike in this lake with some big pike in here too. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Crooked Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Crooked Lake has good numbers of northern pike and largemouth bass with some bigger fish available. Walleye, perch, bluegill and crappie are also available in the lake. The boat ramp is located on the southeast shore off of Co. road 124.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Farm Island Lake (Aitkin County, MN)
Farm Island Lake is a 2,054 acre lake located about 7 miles south of Aitkin. There are two state owned public access with concrete ramps on the lake – one each on the north and south side of the lake. The lake is heavily developed with many homes and cabins on here. The maximum depth is 56 feet. Northern pike and walleye are here in good numbers. Other fish include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, perch and rock bass.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Gladstone Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Gladstone Lake is a 437 acre lake located in west-central Crow Wing County that is managed primarily for largemouth bass. If you are looking for some action, this lake has very good numbers of largemouth bass and northern pike, so you should be able to catch some fish on Gladstone Lake. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, walleye, rock bass and perch, although, these species of fish are here in much smaller numbers.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Gull Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Gull Lake totals 9,418 acres. It is one of the largest and most popular lakes in the Brainerd area and the lake is heavily developed with many homes/cabins as well as numerous fishing resorts. The maximum depth is 80 feet and about 30% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. Gull Lake offers very good fishing for walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass. Anglers have a chance to catch quality sized northern pike, largemouth bass and walleye in this lake. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Horseshoe Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Horseshoe (Sandbar) Lake is an 888 acre lake located in Crow Wing County 7 miles south of Crosslake. A public access is located on the south side of the east basin. Northern pike are available in good numbers with some big fish here too. Largemouth bass and sunfish are targeted here by many anglers. Walleye are here in limited numbers. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, perch, rock bass and smallmouth bass.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Lake Edward (Crow Wing County, MN)
Edward Lake is a 2,032 acre lake located just north of Merrifield in Crow Wing County. A public access is located on the west side of the lake. The lake is heavily developed, with around 200 homes/cabins on the lake. The lake’s maximum depth is 75 feet and about 59% of the lake is 15 feed deep or less. The Minnesota DNR last reported a status of the fishery on this lake in 2008, but back then, this lake was definitely more of a largemouth bass and northern pike lake with low numbers of walleye and average numbers of crappie. There were some quality sized bass and pike in this lake. Other fish include bluegill, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Lake Hubert (Crow Wing County, MN)
Hubert Lake is 1,294 acres in size and is located one mile southeast of Nisswa in Crow Wing County. A public access is located on the west side of the lake. This lake has a maximum depth of 83 feet and 36% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. The lake is heavily developed with lots of homes and several resorts. This lake has been known as a quality bass lake with pretty good fishing for walleye and northern pike too. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are available in good numbers in this lake with many quality-sized fish available. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Lower Mission Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Lower Mission Lake is a 698-acre lake located 7 miles northeast of Merrifield in Crow Wing County. This lake is connected to Upper Mission Lake via a navigable channel. A public access exists on both lakes. The maximum depth is 27 feet and 65% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Northern pike and largemouth bass are available in good numbers in this lake. Some big bass and northern pike are available in this lake. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass, perch and walleye.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
North Long Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
North Long Lake is one of the larger lakes near Brainerd, Minnesota. It has been a popular lake for boaters and anglers. The fishing is good here for a variety of fish. Walleye, largemouth bass and northern pike get the most attention on this lake. There are some quality sized fish in this lake too. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Pelican Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Pelican Lake covers 8,253 acres. This lake is deep with very clear water. The maximum depth is over 100 feet deep and about 47% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. Pelican Lake is one of the most popular lakes among boaters and anglers in the Brainerd area. You can experience some very good fishing on Pelican Lake, but you may have to fish deeper water than you are used to on other lakes because the water is so clear here. Most anglers come here to target walleye, but the fishing is also very good for northern pike and largemouth bass. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Rabbit Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Rabbit Lake is really more like 2 separate lakes that are connected through a channel. The east part of Rabbit Lake is a 638 acre lake with public access located in a channel between the two lakes. This lake was once drained in the 1950’s and 60’s to mine iron ore, so part of the lake is very deep and it has the characteristic of a mine pit lake with sharp drop-offs and a depth of over 330 feet. Part of this lake resembles a natural lake with 242 acres of it being less than 15 feet deep. There are good numbers of largemouth bass in this lake. Other fish include northern pike, walleye, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch. There are some big bass, walleye and pike in this lake.
The west part of Rabbit Lake is heavily developed with numerous houses around the lake. In this part of the lake, anglers can target the same species of fish that were listed above. There are some good-sized northern pike and walleye in this part of the lake.
MN DNR Lake Information Report (West Rabbit Lake)
MN DNR Lake Information Report (East Rabbit Lake)
Rice Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Rice Lake is a 434-acre reservoir located on the northeast side of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. The dam is 0.5 miles downstream from the state highway 25 (Mill Avenue) bridge. A public access is located on the south side of Rice Lake, in Lum Park. Rice lake has a maximum depth of 25 feet and 47% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. This lake has a variety of fish that you can target and catch. Northern pike, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are consistently caught in Rice Lake. Walleye get plenty of attention on this lake as well, although, there aren’t huge numbers of walleye here. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Round Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Round Lake totals 1,644 acres. It is one of the larger and more popular lakes in the Brainerd area. This lake is heavily developed with many homes/cabins along the lake. A public access is located on the south side of the lake. The maximum depth is 51 feet and about 38% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. Round Lake has been a solid lake for a variety of different fish. Anglers primarily target walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass. A variety of panfish are also available in the lake. You can target bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Serpent Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Serpent lake is a 1,057 acre lake located between the towns of Crosby and Deerwood. There are two public accesses, one on the east shore and one on the northwest. The lake is heavily developed and it has a maximum depth is 65 feet. This lake offers anglers a variety of species to target. You will find catchable numbers of walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass. There are good numbers of largemouth bass in the lake. Other fish include bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
South Long Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
South Long Lake is a 1,313 acre lake located about 7 miles southeast of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. A public access is located on the southwest shore. The lake is heavily developed with homes and cabins. The maximum depth is 47′ and about 35% of the lake is 15′ deep or less. The Minnesota DNR last did a status of the fishery in 2007. According to their numbers, this lake has good numbers of northern pike and largemouth bass to go along with catchable numbers of walleye and other fish such as bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Upper Mission Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Upper Mission Lake is an 817-acre lake located 8.6 miles from Merrifield in Crow Wing County. Upper Mission Lake is connected to 698-acre Lower Mission Lake via a navigable channel. A public access is located on the north side of the lake. This lake’s maximum depth is 36 feet and 31% of the lake is less than 15 feet. The Minnesota DNR last studied the fishery in 2007 and they reported good numbers of northern pike, largemouth bass and crappie. This lake had a lot of good-sized northern pike back in 2007 and angler reports verify that this lake still produces plenty of quality pike in the mid to upper 30 inch range. Other fish include walleye, bluegill, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Upper South Long Lake (Crow Wing County, MN)
Upper South Long Lake is an 802 acre lake located about 8 miles southeast of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. A public access is located on the southwest shore. The lake is heavily developed with more than 30 homes/cabins on the lake. The maximum depth is 47′ and about 35% of the lake is 15′ deep or less. The Minnesota DNR did a status of the fishery back in 2007 and according to their numbers, this lake has good numbers of largemouth bass available to go along with average numbers of walleye and northern pike. Other fish include bluegill, crappie and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Whitefish Chain of Lakes
The Whitefish Area of Minnesota features the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, which is a very popular chain of lakes for boating and fishing. There are many resorts here and plenty of places to find a bite to eat. This region is located just north of Brainerd, Minnesota.
This area is known for its fast action largemouth bass fishing and some solid fishing for pike and walleye. You will find some good-sized fish in the Whitefish Chain, but don’t expect to have all the good fishing spots to yourself. This chain of lakes has a lot of people that fish these waters every summer. It’s a very good fishing destination if you’re looking to catch some fish and have some fun around the water.
We have an entire section dedicated towards the Whitefish Chain, so take a look at our Whitefish Chain Fishing page for more information.
Best Baits for Walleye
Walleye eat a variety of different baits, however, when push comes to shove, it is much easier to catch them with live baits. Minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches are definitely the best live baits for walleye.
While most anglers will just use live baits, many anglers will also target walleye with lures as well. Crankbaits and soft plastics are the best lures for walleye, however, you can catch walleye with a variety of different lures.
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Best Rigs for Walleye
When targeting walleye, there are many different rigs that you can use to catch them. While most anglers will keep it super simple and just use a simple jighead, many anglers will use a variety of rigs such as spinner rigs, 3 way rigs, bottom bouncers, drop shot rigs and many others.
To learn more, take a look at our best rigs for walleye page.
Best Techniques for Walleye
Jigging is by far the most popular technique for walleye fishing, however, you can catch them a variety of different ways. Casting, trolling and drifting are some of the other awesome techniques that anglers use.
To learn more, take a look at our best techniques for walleye page.
Learn More About Walleye
Our walleye fishing section has tons of tips on the best lures, live baits, where to catch them and how to catch them.
Visit our walleye fishing website to learn more.
