Fish Trap Lake Fishing Tips
Fish Trap Lake offers anglers opportunities to catch walleyes, northern pike, bass, and panfish in central Minnesota.
Anglers looking to improve their success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which guides anglers across many of the best fishing lakes in the Brainerd and central Minnesota region.
Resorts Nearby
Fish Trap Lake Resort
Pine Grove Resort
AmericInn by Wyndham Little Falls
Nearby Lakes
Round Lake
Gull Lake
Lake Alexander
Shamineau Lake
North Long Lake
Hubert Lake
South Long LAKE
Mississippi River
Species We Target
Walleye
Musky
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Panfish
Fish TRap Lake Fishery Summary
Fish Trap Lake is a scenic lake located near Cushing in Morrison County, just southwest of the Brainerd Lakes region. The lake covers approximately 1,164 acres and provides excellent fishing opportunities for anglers seeking walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish.
Fish Trap Lake reaches a maximum depth of about 42 feet and contains 404 acres of littoral habitat, providing important spawning and feeding areas for many fish species. Water clarity averages around 11–12 feet, allowing aquatic vegetation to grow and support a healthy ecosystem.
The lake is a popular destination for both open-water fishing and ice fishing, and it has remained a consistent producer of walleyes and northern pike for many years.
Fish Trap Lake Survey Information
Walleye
Fish Trap Lake supports a stable walleye population.
Recent surveys showed:
Catch rate: 2.17 walleyes per gill net
Management goal: 3 or more per gill net
About 70% of walleyes measured over 15 inches
Although the catch rate is slightly below the management target, the fishery has remained relatively stable for more than 20 years and continues to support consistent angling activity.
Northern Pike
Fish Trap Lake is well known for producing larger northern pike, thanks to special regulations implemented in 2003.
Special Northern Pike Regulation
Protected slot: 24–36 inches
One fish over 36 inches allowed
Daily possession limit: 3
Since the regulation was implemented, the population has shifted toward larger fish.
Survey comparisons showed:
Pike over 24 inches increased from 8% to 25%
Pike over 30 inches increased from 1% to 4%
Ice-out trap net surveys showed even greater increases in larger pike, demonstrating the success of the regulation.
Anglers are encouraged to release larger fish to maintain this improved size structure.
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch populations fluctuate widely in Fish Trap Lake.
Recent surveys indicate:
Good numbers of perch present
Average size less than 8 inches
Although perch may not provide strong angling opportunities, they serve as an important forage base for walleyes and northern pike.
Fish TRap Lake Fishing Tips
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing begins shortly after ice-out when walleyes move shallow to spawn and feed.
Best Spring Areas
Wind-blown shorelines
Shallow gravel bars
Sand flats near spawning areas
Points and shoreline breaks
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows along shallow breaks
Slip bobber fishing along emerging vegetation
Casting shallow crankbaits
Recommended Lures
1/8–3/8 oz jigs with shiner minnows
Slip bobbers with leeches
Shallow crankbaits
Big Walleye
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish often hold near structure and deeper water.
Best Summer Areas
Mid-lake humps
Weed edges in 10–18 feet
Rock points and shoreline structure
Basin edges holding baitfish
Summer Techniques
Live bait rigging for walleyes
Slow trolling spinner rigs
Casting soft plastics for bass
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs with crawlers
Spinner harnesses
Texas-rigged plastics
Ned rigs or drop-shot rigs
Walleys
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 breaklines
Remaining weed beds
Basin edges near baitfish schools
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
Big Largemouth Bass
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
Fish Trap Lake offers winter opportunities for walleyes, pike, and panfish.
Best Winter Areas
Basin edges in 18–30 feet
Weedlines in 10–15 feet
Areas with perch forage
Winter Techniques
Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads
Deadstick rods with live minnows
Tip-ups for northern pike
Recommended Ice Lures
Jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Winter Northern Pike
Trophy Fish Trap Lake Area 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!