Updated Aug 2026
Minnesota Fishing Guide
72 documented fish species across 1,585 Minnesota lakes. Filter the map by species, then find the cleanest measured water for what you want to catch.
Minnesota Fish Map
Every Minnesota lake with a documented fishery. Pick a species to see only the lakes that hold it.
Cleanest Lakes by Species
Top Minnesota game species, with the lakes that rank highest on nutrient and algae readings.
Northern Pike
All 1428 →- Lobster LakeDouglas
- East Fox LakeCrow Wing
- Deep Portage LakeCass
- Clearwater LakeWright
- Clearwater LakeCrow Wing
- Clearwater LakeClearwater
Largemouth Bass
All 1267 →- Lobster LakeDouglas
- East Fox LakeCrow Wing
- Deep Portage LakeCass
- Clearwater LakeWright
- Clearwater LakeCrow Wing
- Clearwater LakeClearwater
Walleye
All 1201 →- Lobster LakeDouglas
- East Fox LakeCrow Wing
- Deep Portage LakeCass
- Clearwater LakeWright
- Clearwater LakeCrow Wing
- Clearwater LakeClearwater
Fish Species in Minnesota
Every documented species, grouped by type. Each links to the cleanest Minnesota lakes for that fish.
Game Fish
Panfish
Trout, Salmon & Coldwater
Catfish & Bullhead
Other Species
Minnesota Fishing by County
Lakes with a documented fishery, by county.
Where to stay for a Minnesota fishing trip
Top-rated places to stay near Minnesota lakes
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What fish are in Minnesota lakes?
Minnesota lakes have 72 documented fish species across 1,585 lakes. The most common are Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Walleye.
What are the best fishing lakes in Minnesota?
The best Minnesota fishing lakes pair a documented fishery with clear, low-nutrient water. Use the species filter on the map, or the best-by-species tables, to find the lakes with the lowest nutrient and algae readings for your target species.
Where does the Minnesota fish data come from?
Fish species are documented by state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records, shown next to each lake's water-quality readings. A species listed here has been recorded in that lake, which is not a guarantee it is catchable today.
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality readings from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys.