Fishing - 400 Fishing Lakes within 25 Miles

The Bemidji area is a year-round destination for fishing walleye, bass, muskie, perch, crappies, pan fish and trout. Within 25-mile radius there are over 400 fishing lakes, making it possible to fish 3 or 4 locations in a day in search of every species. Among the top producing lakes are the Bemidji "Deadly Dozen" that includes Lake Andrusia, Irving, Kitchi, Big Wolf, Cass, Big Turtle, Turtle River, Big Lake, Lake Plantangenet, Winnibigoshish, Three Island Lake, and Lake Bemidji.

Guides service the lakes of Bemidji, and there are numerous bait and sporting goods shops found locally.

The Fish Selection Is Off The Hook!

Over 400 lakes within a twenty five mile radius of Bemidji make it a year-round destination for fishing walleye, bass, muskie, perch, crappies, pan fish and trout.

man and woman holding a line of fish next to dick beardsley guide service truck

man and woman holding four fish on a boat in minnesota

man ice fishing on a frozen lake in minnesota

man and woman ice fishing on frozen lake in minnesota

man ice fishing in ice house in minnesota

Fishing Lake Bemidji

Lake Area (acres): 6580.57
Littoral Area (acres): 1862
Maximum Depth (ft): 76
Water Clarity (ft): 5.0 (4-6)

Species: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, burbot, hybrid sunfish, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, redhorse, shorthead redhorse, white sucker, banded killifish, common shiner, finescale dace, golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, logperch, mimic shiner, spottail shiner.

Greeting visitors driving into downtown Bemidji is Lake Bemidji, one of Minnesota's consistent, premiere fishing spots. Lake Bemidji is part of a connected system of lakes which includes Lake Irving upstream and Stump Lake downstream on the Mississippi River. Both of these lakes are readily accessible from Lake Bemidji providing additional, varied angling opportunities.

Lake Bemidji Topographic Map

There are a total of six public boat landings located primarily on the north and west shores of the lake. Named by Game & Fish and one of Minnesota's top ten places to fish from shore, handicapped accessible fishing piers are located at the inlet of the lake near downtown Bemidji and at Lake Bemidji State Park.

In winter, Lake Bemidji turns into a frozen snowy village! Whether you use the drill-and-hope approach (like Grumpy Old Men) or latest in high-tech electronic gear, the great outdoors, the snow, the crisp, fresh air-ice fishing Lake Bemidji may turn into one of the best fishing days you'll ever have! Equipment and fish house rentals available around the Bemidji area.

A Few Fish Species Found in Lake Bemidji

Northern Pike

Muskellunge

Perch

Pan Fish

Walleye

Lake Bemidji has an abundant and diverse in-lake habitat, with no shortage of areas for walleye anglers to ply their favorite tactics in open-water or through the ice. Consistent natural reproduction and decent growth rates make Lake Bemidji a consistent walleye fishery, holding a gill net catch rate well above the statewide normal range for class 22 lakes. Sixty percent of the walleye captured during the last population assessment measured between 12 and 17 inches, with the largest measuring 26.8 inches in length, but sightings of larger are definitely confirmed.

Early season, walleye are found off the south side of Diamond Point. The Diamond Point Bar is the most prominent structure and yields walleye from mid-May through much of the summer. The Mississippi inlet area is a premier early season location for walleye, as well. This spot turns on again in the fall with a good chance for bigger fish. Walleye are also pursued though the ice in winter months.

Watch Fish Hatch

Lake Bemidji Hotspots
Watch fish hatch by the Power Dam, fish under the bridge or off a pier on the Mississippi River, or try the rock pile off of Cameron Park.

Power Dam: 10769 Power Dam Rd NE Bemidji, MN 56601

Cameron Park: 2609 Birchmont Dr NE, Bemidji, MN 56601

Other Famous Fishing Holes Near Bemidji

Lake Itasca

Lake Area (acres): 1065.13
Littoral Area (acres): 449
Maximum Depth (ft): 40
Water Clarity (ft): 4.2 (3.2-4.8)

Species: black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, yellow perch, white sucker, banded killifish, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, brook stickleback, central mudminnow, creek chub, fathead minnow, golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, minnows, mottled sculpin, northern redbelly dace, tadpole madtom.

Itasca, headwaters of the Mississippi River, is also a favorite fishing lake providing consistent catches of panfish (bluegill and black crappie), walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass. Whether your spinning, fly fishing or baitcasting, your chances of getting a bite here are good. Rental equipment is available at Itasca State Park.

Upper Red Lake

Lake Area (acres): 48000
Littoral Area (acres): 47681.2
Maximum Depth (ft): 15

Species: black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, burbot, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch, bigmouth buffalo, freshwater drum, golden redhorse, goldeye, quillback, redhorse, shorthead redhorse, white sucker, blacknose shiner, brassy minnow, brook stickleback, common shiner, emerald shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner, Johnny darter, river shiner, spottail shiner, trout-perch

The largest of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes, Upper Red Lake is a 120,000 acres, 60% (72,000 acres) which is under the jurisdiction of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (Red Lake Band). The remaining 40% (48,000 acres) falls under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota.

With one of the highest walleye catch rates in the state, anglers will have no problem catching keeper-sized fish, averaging around 14 to 20 inches. Known also for trophy pike, recent ice-out trap net assessment captured northern pike approaching 46 inches in length. Growth rates of yellow perch in Upper Red Lake are good, too, with 44% of the yellow perch catch typically greater than 9 inches in length.

Lake Winnibigoshish

Lake Area (acres): 56471.63
Littoral Area (acres): 18904
Maximum Depth (ft): 69.8
Water Clarity (ft): 9.9 (4.1-19.5)

Species: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, burbot, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sunfish, tullibee (cisco), walleye, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, bowfin (dogfish), shorthead redhorse, white sucker, banded killifish, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, brassy minnow, common shiner, emerald shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, logperch, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, sand shiner, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, trout-perch

Located in the Chippewa National Forest you'll find the 4th largest lake in Minnesota, known locally as "Lake Winnie," famed for it's superb walleye, northern pike, muskie and jumbo perch. With seven public accesses, 95% of the lake's shoreline is uninhabited.

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