Minnesota is”The Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so it’s easy to find a place to relax on the water. Many people go to the northern part of the state – the Boundary Waters – to canoe and kayak. Those living in the state’s bigger cities, like Minneapolis and St. Paul, find plenty of rivers nearby. The great Mississippi River starts in Minnesota. Anglers find good fishing spots almost anywhere in Minnesota. But before you head out, remember to check for state and location-specific fishing regulations and get your license.
Fishing Spots in Minnesota
Here are some of the best fishing spots in Minnesota. You’ll find plenty of walleye fishing in the state, along with a variety of other fish to catch.
Red Lake
Red Lake is the largest lake in Minnesota. Note that much of this lake is under Chippewa Native American control, and you cannot fish those areas. That still leaves you over 48,000 acres where you can fish for northern pike, walleye, and crappie. The best fishing at this lake near Bemidji often occurs in May and June, although ice fishing is a popular activity on this lake as well.
Red Lake State Forest, east of Upper Red Lake, has lots of dispersed camping. Rogers Resort & Campground is on the south shore of Upper Red Lake and has full hookups, beach access, and a marina. Mort’s on Upper Red is a fishing resort with water and electric hookups, a swim beach, and showers.
Steiger Lake
Steiger Lake covers only 166 acres, but it’s a terrific place to go fishing for northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and walleye. It’s also easy to fish from the 2.3 miles of shoreline at this location. This lake lies in the middle of Carver Park Reserve in Victoria. There’s a public boat ramp on the southeast corner of the lake.
Leech Lake
Located near Walker, Leech Lake is a fantastic spot to go walleye fishing. The four piers are a great place to go perch fishing in March and again in October. Fish for walleye in shallower water in the spring before using bouncers and spinners to fish for them in deeper water during the warmer summer months. During the fall, anglers often catch 50-inch muskies at this location. You can fish from the shore at this lake, but if you want a more secluded area, then head out in a canoe to the lake’s middle.
The Leech Lake Recreation Area has wooded campsites with electric hookups, plus some sites with full hookups. The campground has showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, boat ramps, and more. Walt’s Hidden Acres RV Park has 42 RV sites with full hookups and easy access to Heartland Trail and Paul Bunyan Trail
Lake Winnibigoshish
Lake Winnibigoshish, often called Lake “Winnie,” is the fifth-largest lake in Minnesota. Fish using minnows along the shores in early spring to catch walleye. Once the mayfly larvae hatch, switch to using nightcrawlers and leeches in the Tamarack Bay area and enjoy catching various fish. Perch can easily be caught by trolling in the Tamarack Bay area during the early summer months. Walleye are easily caught from shore during the spring and from deeper water during the warmer months.
Lake Andrew
Lake Andrew, near New London, is a great place to go walleye and northern pike fishing. Consider heading to Sibley State Park at the north end of the lake. This 735-acre lake has 5.4 miles of shoreline and is an excellent place to go black crappie fishing. The Northern pike fishing is also outstanding, with anglers often catching fish longer than 30 inches. This lake is also an ideal place to go largemouth bass fishing in the spring.
Pokegama Lake
Pokegama Lake is the largest of the lakes formed by the Mississippi River in the Grand Rapids area. Especially in the Tioga Bay area, this can be a fantastic place to go early-spring walleye fishing. Fish near the main island during the summer months for walleye. Additionally, this lake’s humps and spots where there are not many weeds are ideal spots to go smallmouth bass fishing in the summer. Some of the best walleye fishing happens in the fall.
The Pokegama Dam Campground has electric back-in sites. There are also showers, a boat ramp, a playground, and more. Pokegama Lake R.V. Park & Golf Course has full hookups, plus a marina & boat launch, a heated pool, a camp store, showers and much more.
Trout Lake
Trout Lake, in the Chippewa National Forest near Marcell, offers a peaceful fishing experience in a classic northwoods setting. This 1,862-acre lake is a designated walleye and northern pike fishery, but anglers also catch perch, bluegill, crappie, and the occasional smallmouth bass. It’s one of the largest lakes in Itasca County and is surrounded by forestland, making it feel remote without being hard to access.
Be careful to note, there is another Trout Lake near Grand Marais, so don’t get them mixed up!
Lake Louise
Lake Louise near Le Roy is in Lake Louise State Park. If you love to go bluegill fishing, this lake should be near the top of your list, as anglers often catch 7-inch bluegills. Furthermore, anglers regularly catch northern pike on this lake that are about 21 inches long. Yellow perch, pumpkinseed, yellow bullhead, brown bullhead, black bullhead, green sunfish, and largemouth bass are often caught. Upper Iowa and Little Iowa rivers feed this lake, and some of the best fishing occurs near these tributaries.
You can camp right at the state park, and there are electrical hookups, a dump station, and showers available for campers.
Where to Fish in Minnesota
Minnesota can be divided into four different regions. Walleye fishing can be outstanding in the northwest area, but this area shines when it comes to northern pike fishing. From the Lake of the Woods to the Rainy River is a popular area for walleyes to spawn. Below this area is the southern region, offering outstanding flathead catfish and walleye fishing from canoes or the shore on the Minnesota River. Especially around the Hutchinson area, walleye fishing can be great, but this is also a great area to go bass fishing. Try bass fishing on Lake Stella and Lake Washington. East of the southern region, find good walleye and panfish fishing near Sauk Rapids, Hinckley, and Little Falls. Finally, the lakes around Grand Rapids are a great option when deciding where to fish in Minnesota.
Camping and Fishing in Minnesota
Many of the best spots for fishing and camping in Minnesota are in state parks. There are great locations spread across the state, and if you are a Minnesota resident, you don’t need a license to fish in a state park as long as you’re not looking for a special trout stamp. Many state parks have lovely campgrounds, and you can make online reservations.
With an RV rental, your fishing trip will be a little more comfortable! After you’ve spent a long day fishing, grill up your catch right at your campsite. Then, retire inside to enjoy all the comforts of home on board your RV. Plan your perfect fishing getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.
