Best Places To Fish in Minnesota

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Minnesota, known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, offers an abundance of incredible fishing opportunities. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing opportunities in the state, for a variety of fish species. Among the best places to fish in Minnesota are Lake Mille Lacs, Lake Vermilion, Lake Minnetonka, Lake of the Woods, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Lake Mille Lacs, located in central Minnesota, is renowned for its excellent fishing. It is known for its trophy-sized walleye, making it a favorite destination for anglers. The best time to fish for walleye in Lake Mille Lacs is during the spring and fall when they are actively feeding and easier to catch.

Situated in northeastern Minnesota, Lake Vermilion is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts. This sprawling lake is home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, northern pike, muskie, and smallmouth bass. The best time to fish for walleye and smallmouth bass in Lake Vermilion is during the summer months, while muskie fishing is best in the fall.

Lake Minnetonka, located near the Twin Cities metro area, offers convenient access for anglers. This large lake is known for its excellent bass fishing, including largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The best time to fish for bass in Lake Minnetonka is during the warmer months, particularly late spring and early summer when bass are actively feeding and spawning.

Lake of the Woods, located in northern Minnesota, is a popular destination for anglers seeking trophy-sized walleye, northern pike, and muskie. The lake is known for its vast size and abundance of fish, making it a prime fishing spot year-round. Ice fishing on Lake of the Woods is especially popular during the winter months when the lake freezes over.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, located in northeastern Minnesota, offers a unique fishing experience in a pristine wilderness setting. This area is known for its pristine lakes and rivers teeming with fish, including walleye, smallmouth bass, and lake trout. The best time to fish in the Boundary Waters is during the summer and early fall when the weather is pleasant, and fish are active.

While the specific fishing seasons can vary depending on the species and location, spring and fall are generally considered prime fishing seasons in Minnesota. Spring brings the spawning season for many fish species, making them more active and easier to catch. Fall is another excellent time for fishing, as fish are feeding heavily to prepare for the winter months. However, each species may have its own peak season, so it's important to research specific fish and locations to plan the best time to fish.

Minnesota's vast array of lakes, rivers, and wilderness areas provides ample opportunities for anglers to pursue their favorite fish species. Whether it's chasing walleye on Lake Mille Lacs, battling muskie on Lake Vermilion, or enjoying the tranquility of the Boundary Waters while fishing for smallmouth bass, Minnesota offers something for every angler.

There are many great places to fish in The North Star State. When you have over 10,000 lakes to choose from, it can be difficult to pick the top few. This website covers fishing at major, fresh-water lakes in the state. The lists below represent the best places to fish among the lakes we cover. Although it provides excellent fishing for many species, we are omitting Lake Superior from consideration here, due to it's size and complexity.

Minnesota's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots

So many lakes, so many species, and such a big state expand the number of lakes that could make this list. However, these five lakes are definitely among the very best lakes to fish in Minnesota. Learn more...

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Most Popular Fish Species In Minnesota

Minnesota offers primarily cold-water fish species for anglers to pursue. However, there are warm water species thriving in some of the waters across the state. Fishing enthusiasts have the opportunity to fish for two species of bass, three species of catfish, four species of trout, walleye, bluegill, white bass, perch, sunfish, muskie, pike and multiple other species in Minnesota waters. Learn more...

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Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Minnesota

If you enjoy fishing for smallmouth bass, you will feel right at home in Minnesota. It may be the best smallmouth fishing state in the country. And, you can find plenty pf water to chase largemouth bass as well. The state record for both species is over 8 pounds. Learn more...

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Best Lakes To Fish For Catfish In Minnesota

Catfish don't grow big enough in Minnesota to compete for world records. That said, there is plenty of quality fishing for cats in many lakes and rivers across the state. These three are great choices for major lakes in the state. Learn more...

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Best Walleye Fishing Lakes In Minnesota

Walleye are native to many lakes in the state, and they grow to giant size in many of these lakes. The state record is over 17 pounds, and walleye populations are healthy and fun to catch. These three lakes are among the best places to fish for walleye in Minnesota. Learn more...

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Best Perch & Sunfish Fishing Lakes In Minnesota

Perch and sunfish play a major role in the food chain in lakes throughout the state. Additionally, they can be fun to catch and tasty as table fare. Numerous lakes might make this list on a specific year, but these have a long-standing reputation for great fishing. Learn more...

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Top Places To Fish For Crappie In Minnesota

While crappie are more popular in southern states, Minnesota does have some good crappie waters. They can be caught year round as they are a popular species when ice fishing. Learn more...

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Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in Minnesota