Fishing Lake Pepin

AKA: Lake City

Most Popular Fish
Lake Pepin Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Lake Pepin, MN

Popular Fish Species Lake Pepin, MN

Walleye Fishing

Major points on the Minnesota side of the lake are well known walleye fishing spots on Lake Pepin. Thanks to significant baitfish and small sunfish in the lake, walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Lake Pepin this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Lake Pepin Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Lake Pepin continues to provide good smallmouth bass fishing. Locals enjoy smallmouth bass fishing, particularly anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish. When the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies.

Northern Pike Fishing

Northern pike are voracious feeders and they have the tools necessary to catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. They are currently thriving in the cool waters of Lake Pepin. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, walleye, sauger, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Lake Pepin in Minnesota.

Lake Pepin Fishing Video

As a natural lake, encompassing a twenty-two mile section of the Mississippi River, Lake Pepin is a very popular 25,000-acre fishery. Set along the Minnesota-Wisconsin state border, there are 100-plus miles of shoreline.

Lake Pepin, situated on the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota, offers anglers a fantastic fishing experience. Spanning approximately 25,000 acres, this natural widening of the river is a renowned fishing spot that attracts anglers from near and far.

Walleye and sauger are the primary targets for many anglers on Lake Pepin. These prized fish can be found in abundance throughout the year, providing ample opportunities for anglers to reel in their catch. Whether you're jigging along the river channel, trolling with crankbaits, or casting near submerged structures, Lake Pepin offers a great chance to land a walleye or sauger.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass also inhabit the waters of Lake Pepin, providing exciting angling opportunities for bass enthusiasts. The lake's rocky shorelines, submerged vegetation, and structures create ideal habitats for these feisty fish. Anglers can use a variety of techniques, such as topwater lures, spinnerbaits, or soft plastics, to target bass and experience the thrill of a strong fight.

Northern pike are another popular species found in Lake Pepin. These aggressive predators can be caught using a variety of presentations, including large spoons, swimbaits, or live bait. Anglers can explore the backwaters, weed beds, and deeper areas to target northern pike and enjoy the challenge of landing these toothy predators.

Yellow perch, bluegill, and black crappie are sought-after panfish species in Lake Pepin. Anglers can find them near weed edges, submerged structures, and other areas with cover. Using small jigs, flies, or live bait can entice these panfish to bite. Whether you're fishing from a boat or casting from shore, Lake Pepin offers plenty of opportunities to catch panfish and enjoy a day of angling.

With its diverse range of popular fish species, excellent fishing opportunities, and stunning scenery, Lake Pepin is a top fishing destination in Minnesota. Whether you're targeting walleye, sauger, bass, pike, perch, panfish, or simply enjoying a day on the water, Lake Pepin offers a memorable fishing experience in a tranquil and picturesque setting along the Mississippi River.

The lake is notorious as a fantastic smallmouth bass fishery, with lots of rip-rap shore which is ideal feeding areas for smallies. Walleye are also popular here. Crappie, perch, pike, white bass, sauger and sunfish round out the list of desired fish species. Two boat launch ramps serve the public on the Minnesota side. The Lake Pepin Boat Ramp is located in Roschen Park, off Lakeshore Drive, about mid lake. A second 2-lane ramp is located at Izaak Walton Park, off Maiden Ave, at the east end of the lake. Marinas, rental boats, camping and most any supplies and services are available at the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Pepin

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Pepin Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Boating is a popular activity on Lake Pepin, with several boat ramps and marinas available for anglers to launch their boats. The wide expanse of the lake and the scenic beauty of the surrounding bluffs provide a picturesque setting for leisurely cruises. Camping facilities near the lake offer opportunities for anglers to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Lake City Boat Club & Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
651 675-7050

Red Wing Marina & Boat Rental
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
651 388-8995

River Valley Marina and Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
651 388-0481

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Izaak Walton Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, south side, off Maiden Avenue, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Lake Pepin Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Lakeshore Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Sturgeon Lake Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, south side, off Sturgeon Lake Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Hansen's Harbor Marina
35853 Hwy. 61 Blvd
Lake City, MN 55041
651 345-3022

Lake City Marina
201 South Franklin Street
Lake City, Minnesota 55041
651 345-4211

Ole Miss Marina
229 Tyler Road North
Red Wing, MN 55066
651 388-5839

Red Wing Marina
918 Levee Road
Red Wing, MN 55066
651 388-8995