Minnesota is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in the northern USA. The secret is knowing where to find them!
With over 11,000+ lakes to choose from it is hard to decide which lake you should head to on next your day off.
I have created a curated map of my favorite fishing Lakes in Minnesota so you can easily see where each Lake is in MN and how you can get to it.
Table of Contents
Map of Fishing Lakes in Minnesota
Use the below map to see which lakes are close to where you are. Whether you are near Duluth in Northern Minnesota or in the suburbs of Minneapolis closer to the southern end of the state, you will find a lake near you worth fishing in.
Lakes in Minnesota
Lakes in Minnesota are divided in terms of their regions. I have broken down the Lakes into four sections: Northwestern Minnesota Lakes, Northeastern Minnesota Lakes, Southwestern Minnesota Lakes & Southeastern Minnesota Lakes.
Northwestern Minnesota Lakes
My favorite lakes in northwestern Minnesota include:
- Lake of the Woods
- Upper Red Lake
- Lower Red Lake
- Lake Bemidji
- Cass Lake
- Lake Winnibigoshish
- Leech Lake
Red Lake
Red Lake in Minnesota is a body of water that is surrounded by wilderness and known for its fishing. Red Lake is a 15,000 acre lake that was formed when the glaciers receded. Red Lake is 30 miles in length and 5 miles wide. The north end of Red Lake is narrow and shallow, while the south end is deep and wide.
Lake Bemidji
Lake Bemidji State Park is a public recreation area in the city of Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minnesota. The state park offers camping, boating, fishing, swimming, and trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Lake Winnibigoshish
Lake Winnibigoshish is a 2,700-acre body of water in the Chippewa National Forest in western Minnesota. The lake is bordered to the southwest by Minnesota State Highway 47, and to the northeast by County Road 135. The communities of Bena, Deer River, Ball Club, and Big Falls are located on the north, east, south and southwest shores of the lake respectively. The communities of Maple Grove, Deerwood and Hallock are located on or near the shores of nearby Pokegama Lake, which is connected to Lake Winnibigoshish by a natural channel.
Leech Lake
Leech Lake is a lake in northern Minnesota, United States, about two and a half hours north of Duluth. It is the third largest lake in Minnesota by surface area after the 8th largest Lake Superior and 10th largest Lake of the Woods and it is the largest lake that falls entirely within Minnesota’s borders.
Northeastern Minnesota Lakes
When I am in Northeastern Minnesota I like to fish these lakes:
- Kabetogama Lake
- Lake Vermilion
- Pelican Lake
- Rainy Lake
Kabetogama Lake
Kabetogama Lake is a 15,000 acre lake in Voyageurs National Park, located in Koochiching County, Minnesota. It is one of the most Northern Lakes in Minnesota and is accessed off Highway 53 near International Falls. Kabetogama Lake is the source of the Rainy River.
Lake Vermilion
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, preserving a former iron mine. The park is located 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Tower, Minnesota and 5 miles (8 km) east of Soudan, Minnesota on County Road 4.
Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake is a lake in Otter Tail County, in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Pelican Lake was named for the pelicans often seen living and playing within the lake.
Northern Minnesota Lakes Map
The below map shows you the location of the 11 maps that are some of my favorite places to fish in Northern Minnesota.
Southwestern Minnesota Lakes
Below are a couple of the best lakes in southwestern Minnesota:
- Lake Minnewaska
- Otter Tail Lake
- Big Stone Lake
- Lac Qui Parle
- Lake Traverse
Lake Minnewaska
Lake Minnewaska is located northwest of Minneapolis in Pope County. It is a popular recreation destination and is known for its steep cliffs, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
Otter Tail Lake
Otter Tail Lake is a lake in Otter Tail County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is the largest lake in the county, and one of the largest lakes in Minnesota. The lake was named for the Otter Tail River, which flows out of the lake’s southern end.
Big Stone Lake
Big stone lake is a lake located on the border with South Dakota near Ortonville . Whether you’re fly fishing, baitcasting or spinning your chances of getting a bite here are good. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to Big stone lake.
Southeastern Minnesota Lakes
This is the short list of lakes that I recommend checking out for fishing if you are in Southeastern Minnesota or if you are near Minneapolis.
- Lake Minnetonka
- Lake Pepin
- Mille Lacs Lake
Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka is a body of water in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, located entirely within Hennepin County. It is the largest lake completely within the boundaries of a single county in the state, and is the third largest lake located entirely within the borders of Minnesota. The lake was named for Chief Minnetonka, a Dakota Indian. Lake Minnetonka is fed by Minnehaha Creek, which flows from Lake Minnetonka to Minnehaha Falls. The creek’s name comes from Dakota , meaning “laughing waters”, or , “curling waters”.
Lake Pepin
Lake Pepin is a lake on the Mississippi River, located primarily in the U.S. state of Minnesota, but also extending into Wisconsin. The Mississippi River flows into Lake Pepin near Lake City, Minnesota, then flows out of the lake near Red Wing, Minnesota. Lake Pepin is the second largest natural lake on the Mississippi River
Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs Lake is a 1,000-square-mile lake located in east central Minnesota. It is roughly 30 miles wide and 60 miles long. It is the third largest lake in Minnesota. Mille Lacs Lake is 18 feet deep at its deepest point. Mille Lacs Lake provides many recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming. The lake has walleye, northern pike, muskie, bass, and panfish. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians, a federally recognized tribe, has treaty rights to hunt, fish, and gather on Mille Lacs Lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the lake’s fisheries and regulates boating and fishing and maintains 58 public boat launches on Mille Lacs Lake.
Southern Minnesota Lakes Map
You will find the 8 lakes that I prefer to fish when in southern Minnesota on the map below.
The Last Cast
My curated Minnesota Lakes Maps will show you the way to some of the best fishing lakes in Minnesota. Whether you are in Minneapolis or nearer our Canadian neighbors there is no shortage of lakes in Minnesota to keep you busy on the weekends.
The hardest part is choosing which lake to visit!
Do you have a favorite fishing lake in Minnesota that you think I should add to my Minnesota Lakes Map?
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