Cullen Lake Chain Fishing Tips
The Cullen Lake Chain is a three-lake system located just north of Nisswa in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Crow Wing County, Minnesota. The chain consists of Upper Cullen Lake, Middle Cullen Lake, and Lower Cullen Lake, which are connected by channels that allow fish to move freely between the lakes. Together, the three lakes create a diverse fishery with a mix of deep basins, expansive weed flats, and productive shoreline structure.
Combined, the Cullen Chain covers approximately 1,406 acres of water. Water clarity across the lakes generally ranges from 13 to over 16 feet, which allows for healthy aquatic vegetation growth and supports a balanced ecosystem of predator fish and panfish. Depth varies between lakes, with the deepest basin reaching 48 feet in Middle Cullen Lake, while Upper and Lower Cullen provide extensive shallow habitat ideal for bass, pike, and panfish.
The chain supports populations of walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and tullibee (cisco). Although walleyes are not stocked directly in Upper or Lower Cullen, the Minnesota DNR stocks walleye fingerlings in Middle Cullen every three years, and these fish naturally move throughout the connected system.
Resorts Nearby
Cullen Bay Resort
Cullen Lake Resort
Catalina Bay Resort
Birch Bay Resort
Nearby Lakes
North Long Lake
Pelican Lake
Mission Lake
Round Lake
Whitefish Lake
Edward Lake
Gull LAKE
Hubert Lake
Species We Target
Walleye
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
Cullen Lake Chain Fishery Summary
Lower Cullen Lake
Lower Cullen Lake covers approximately 560 acres and reaches a maximum depth of 39 feet with water clarity around 15.5 feet. The lake contains roughly 180 acres of littoral habitat, supporting weed beds and productive shallow fishing areas.
Lower Cullen connects directly to Middle Cullen, allowing stocked walleyes to move into the lake naturally.
DNR Survey Highlights
Walleye
Catch rate: 2.1 per gill net
Average size: 23.1 inches
All sampled fish were over 17 inches
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 4.4 per gill net
Average size: 24.5 inches
45% within the protected 22–26 inch slot
30% over 26 inches
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 106 fish per hour
Average size: 10.9 inches
Fish up to 16.9 inches
Smallmouth Bass
Present in moderate numbers
Fish up to 14.4 inches
Black Crappie
Good size structure
80% over 8 inches
Bluegill
Average numbers but smaller size
Average length 4.4 inches
Middle Cullen Lake
Middle Cullen Lake is the central lake in the chain and covers 405 acres with a maximum depth of 48 feet. Water clarity averages 16.2 feet, making it the clearest lake in the system.
The lake serves as the primary walleye stocking lake for the Cullen Chain, receiving 127 pounds of fingerlings every three years from the Minnesota DNR. Because the lakes are connected, these fish help support the walleye fishery throughout the entire chain.
DNR Survey Highlights
Walleye
Catch rate: 3.2 per gill net
Average size: 20.2 inches
93% over 12 inches
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 10.6 per gill net
Average size: 21.6 inches
13% over 26 inches
3% over 30 inches
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 112.5 fish per hour
Average size: 9.6 inches
Fish up to 17.3 inches
Black Crappie
Catch rate: 1.2 per trap net
65% over 8 inches
Bluegill
Low numbers
Average size: 4.8 inches
Tullibee (Cisco)
Catch rate: 4.3 per gill net
Size range: 7.6–17.9 inches
Cisco provide an important forage source for predator fish in the chain.
Upper Cullen Lake
Upper Cullen Lake covers 441 acres and contains extensive shallow habitat, with roughly 300 acres of littoral area supporting aquatic vegetation. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 40 feet and has water clarity around 13.5 feet.
Access to Upper Cullen can be more limited than the other lakes in the chain. Anglers typically reach the lake through a channel and culvert connection from Middle Cullen or through a resort access on the east side. Because of its limited access, fishing pressure can sometimes be lower.
The lake is known for strong northern pike numbers and good black crappie fishing, making it a popular destination for anglers targeting these species.
DNR Survey Highlights
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 13.1 per gill net (above average)
Average length: 20.9 inches
Fish up to 34.7 inches
61% of fish below the 22–26 inch protected slot
Black Crappie
Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net (above average)
Average size: 8.2 inches
57% over 8 inches
Fish up to 14.1 inches
Bluegill
Low abundance
Catch rate: 6.6 per trap net
Only 7% over 7 inches
Walleye
Not stocked directly
Fish migrate from Middle Cullen
Catch rate: 1.9 per gill net
Average size: 20 inches
All sampled fish were over 16 inches
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing on the Cullen Chain often begins soon after ice-out as fish move shallow to feed in warming water. Because the lakes are connected, fish frequently travel between lakes through the channels linking Upper, Middle, and Lower Cullen.
Best Spring Areas
Wind-blown shorelines
Shallow sand flats
Emerging weed beds
Channel areas between lakes
Spring Techniques
Vertical jigging with minnows
Slip bobber fishing along shallow breaks
Casting shallow crankbaits
Recommended Lures
1/8–1/4 oz jigs with fathead or shiner minnows
Shallow crankbaits
Slip bobber rigs with leeches
Bass fishing can be excellent in spring as largemouth move into shallow bays and weed growth begins.
Trophy Walleyes
on Cullen Lake
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish spread out across the lakes and relate heavily to weedlines, mid-depth structure, and deeper breaklines.
Best Summer Areas
Weed edges in 10–18 feet
Mid-lake humps and points
Rock-to-sand transitions
Basin edges near baitfish schools
Summer Techniques
Slow trolling spinner rigs
Live bait rigging with crawlers or leeches
Casting soft plastics into cabbage weeds for bass
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs
Spinner harnesses
Texas-rigged plastics
Drop-shot rigs
Cisco schools in Middle Cullen can attract predator fish and make electronics helpful for locating feeding activity.
Big Walleyes
on cullen lake
Fall Fishing
(Water Temps: 40–60°F)
Fall fishing can be excellent as predator fish feed heavily before winter.
Best Fall Areas
Rock points and steep breaks
Basin edges near baitfish
Remaining weedlines
Fall Techniques
Jigging with large minnows
Casting crankbaits along rocky structure
Vertical jigging over deep breaks
Recommended Lures
Jig and minnow
Jigging Rap style baits
Blade baits
Deep diving crankbaits
Northern pike fishing is often particularly strong during fall as larger fish move shallow.
Pair of
Big Walleyes
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
The Cullen Chain provides consistent ice fishing opportunities for panfish, pike, and walleyes.
Best Winter Areas
Basin edges in deeper water
Suspended crappies over basins
Weedlines in 10–15 feet
Channel areas between lakes
Winter Techniques
Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads
Deadstick rods with live minnows
Tip-ups set along weed edges for northern pike
Recommended Ice Lures
Jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Crappies commonly suspend over deeper water during midwinter and can be located using electronics.
Big Northern Pike
Trophy Cullen Lake Fish
We cover a large area in Central Minnesota, if you have any questions about a certain lake or a certain species of fish don’t hesitate to call. We are very accommodating and can come up with a plan to make any sort of trip work. If you need multiple boats we are also able to get more guides to handle larger group trips! Our goal is to make your fishing trip easy, comfortable, and full of fish catching excitement!