Bay Lake Fishing Tips
Want a Bay Lake Fishing Guide?
Bay Lake offers anglers opportunities to catch northern pike, bass, crappie, bluegill, and occasional walleyes in the Deerwood area.
You can book a professional Bay Lake Fishing Guide to learn the ropes.
Anglers looking to improve their success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which guides anglers across many of the throughout the Brainerd Lakes region.
Resorts Nearby
Bay Lake Marina & Resort
Cuyuna Lakes Stay
Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort
Species We Target
Bay Lake Fishery Summary
Bay Lake is a large and popular recreational lake located about five miles south of Deerwood in Crow Wing County within the Brainerd Lakes region. The lake covers roughly 2,330 acres and contains more than 1,000 acres of littoral habitat, providing extensive spawning and feeding areas for fish.
Bay Lake reaches a maximum depth of 74 feet, with about 42% of the lake 15 feet deep or less. Water clarity averages around 17 feet, supporting healthy aquatic vegetation and good fish habitat. The lake has over 24 miles of shoreline and is heavily developed with homes and cabins.
Bay Lake is known for its strong northern pike, bass, and panfish fishing, though it also receives regular walleye stocking. Recreational boating activity can be high during weekends and holidays.
The lake contains three islands, including Church Island, which is protected from development through a Minnesota DNR conservation easement.
A public boat access is located on the west shore of the northwest bay, though it can become busy during peak summer periods.
Bay Lake Survey Information
Walleye
Walleyes are stocked annually as fry, but the population remains relatively low.
Survey results showed:
Catch rate: 1.1 walleyes per gill net
Average length: 21.1 inches
Despite lower numbers, anglers occasionally catch quality-sized walleyes.
The low population is likely influenced by:
High northern pike abundance
Limited yellow perch forage
Northern Pike
Northern pike are abundant in Bay Lake.
Catch rate: 9.9 per gill net
Average length: 19.2 inches
17% measured above the protected 22–26 inch slot
High numbers of smaller pike currently dominate the population.
Local anglers and lake associations encourage harvesting smaller pike to help improve overall size structure.
Bay Lake follows the North Central Zone northern pike regulations:
Possession limit of 10 pike
No more than 2 fish over 26 inches
All fish between 22–26 inches must be released
Largemouth Bass
Bass fishing in Bay Lake is very popular.
Electrofishing catch rate: 64.1 fish per hour
Average length: 12.7 inches
71% measured at least 12 inches
Black Crappie
Crappie numbers were average.
47% of fish measured 8 inches or larger
Bluegill
Bluegill populations remain stable.
Catch rate: 9.5 per trap net
Average length: 6.0 inches
42% measured 7 inches or larger
Bay Lake Fishing Tips
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing begins shortly after ice-out when fish move shallow to spawn and feed.
Best Spring Areas
Wind-blown shorelines
Shallow sand flats
Emerging vegetation areas
Protected bays
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows along shallow breaks
Slip bobber fishing for crappies and bluegills
Casting spinnerbaits for bass
Recommended Lures
1/8–1/4 oz jigs with fathead minnows
Slip bobbers with leeches
Shallow crankbaits
Spinnerbaits
Big Northern Pike
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish often relate to weed edges and deeper structure.
Best Summer Areas
Weedlines in 10–18 feet
Mid-lake humps
Rock points and drop-offs
Basin edges holding baitfish
Summer Techniques
Live bait rigging along deeper breaks for walleyes
Casting soft plastics for bass
Jigging for panfish along weed edges
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches
Spinner harnesses
Texas-rigged plastics
Ned rigs or drop-shot rigs
Bass fishing can be very productive throughout the summer.
Eater Walleyes
Fall Fishing
(Water Temps: 40–60°F)
Fall fishing improves as predator fish feed aggressively before winter.
Best Fall Areas
Rock points and steep breaklines
Remaining weed beds
Basin edges where baitfish concentrate
Fall Techniques
Jigging large minnows along structure
Casting crankbaits along rocky shorelines
Vertical jigging deeper breaks
Recommended Lures
Jig and minnow combinations
Blade baits
Deep diving crankbaits
Suspending jerkbaits
Client with
Big Largemouth Bass
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
Bay Lake offers winter opportunities for pike, panfish, and occasional walleyes.
Best Winter Areas
Basin edges near deeper water
Suspended crappies over deeper basins
Weedlines in 10–15 feet
Winter Techniques
Jigging tungsten jigs for panfish
Deadstick rods with live minnows
Tip-ups along weed edges for northern pike
Recommended Ice Lures
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Jigging spoons
Small plastics
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Winter Northern Pike
Frequently ASked Questions
Have questions about fishing in Crosslake, Minnesota? Here are answers to some of the most common questions about guided trips, local lakes, and what to expect on the water.
What Is The Best Time To Fish Bay Lake MN?
A. The best time to fish Bay Lake in Minnesota is May through early June during the spring bite and again in October when fish move shallow. Summer fishing can still be productive, especially early morning and evening when walleyes move onto structure in 18–32 feet of water.
What Depth Are Walleyes In Bay Lake During Summer?
A. Walleyes on Bay Lake are typically found in 18–32 feet of water during summer, relating to weed edges, rock points, and mid-lake structure. Early and late in the day, they often move shallower to feed.
Is Bay Lake Good For Bass Fishing?
A. Yes, Bay Lake has strong populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Largemouth are commonly found in weed beds and shallow cover, while smallmouth relate to rock structure and points.
What Bait Works Best On Bay Lake?
A. The most effective baits on Bay Lake include leeches, nightcrawlers, and crankbaits for walleyes, along with soft plastics and topwater lures for bass depending on the season.
Can You Ice Fish Bay Lake?
A. Yes, Bay Lake offers excellent ice fishing opportunities for walleyes, crappies, and northern pike. Key areas include deeper basins for crappies and structure edges for walleyes.
What Species Are In Bay Lake MN?
A. Bay Lake is home to walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie, making it a diverse fishery with opportunities for both numbers and trophy fish.
Why Should I Hire A Fishing Guide On Bay Lake?
A. Hiring a guide on Bay Lake helps you skip the guesswork and get on fish faster. Captain Nick Retka of The Fish Guyd Guide Service specializes in local patterns, seasonal movements, and proven tactics to maximize your success on the water.
How Do I Book A Bay Lake Fishing Trip?
A. You can book a Bay Lake fishing trip directly through The Fish Guyd Guide Service by checking availability and reserving your date through the booking calendar below.
Trophy Bay Lake Area Fish
We guide trips on Bay Lake and the surrounding Central Minnesota area, targeting the species and patterns that make Bay Lake such a well-known fishery. If you have questions about Bay Lake fishing conditions or the best time to target walleyes, bass, northern pike, or panfish, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to help. Every trip is fully customizable, and we’ll build a plan around your goals, experience level, and group size to make the most of your time on Bay Lake. Whether you’re looking to explore its structure, fish seasonal patterns, or simply enjoy a relaxing day on the water, we make the entire experience easy and productive. Need multiple boats for a larger group on Bay Lake? We can coordinate additional experienced guides to ensure everyone has a seamless, successful trip. Our goal is to make your Bay Lake fishing experience comfortable, efficient, and full of action.