Gull Lake Fishing Tips
Gull Lake is one of the premier fishing destinations in the Brainerd Lakes region for walleyes, northern pike, bass, and panfish.
Anglers looking to learn the lake faster or improve their success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which specializes in guiding anglers on Gull Lake and many of the surrounding lakes in the Brainerd area.
Resorts Nearby
Grand View Lodge
Madden's on Gull Lake
Quarterdeck Resort
Nearby Lakes
North Long Lake
Hubert Lake
Fish Trap Lake
Pelican Lake
Whitefish Lake
Cross Lake
Mission Lake
Edward Lake
Species We Target
Walleye
Musky
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
Gull Lake Fishery Summary
Gull Lake is one of the most famous fishing lakes in the Brainerd Lakes region near Nisswa and Brainerd in Cass County. Covering over 10,000 acres, Gull Lake is one of the largest and most productive lakes in central Minnesota.
The lake reaches a maximum depth of about 80 feet and contains roughly 2,825 acres of littoral habitat, providing ideal spawning and feeding areas for many gamefish species. Water clarity averages around 14 feet, allowing for healthy aquatic vegetation and strong forage populations.
Gull Lake is known for its excellent multi-species fishery, including walleye, northern pike, bass, crappie, and panfish. It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in Minnesota due to its size, accessibility, and large number of resorts.
Gull Lake Survey Information
Walleye
Walleyes are stocked annually as fry in Gull Lake.
Stocking rate:
2,825,000 walleye fry per year
Survey results showed:
Catch rate: 3.0 walleyes per gill net
Average length: 17.3 inches
80% measured at least 12 inches
Although the catch rate was slightly below average compared to similar lakes, the size structure remains strong, producing many keeper-sized fish.
Northern Pike
Northern pike populations are considered healthy in Gull Lake.
Survey results include:
Catch rate: 6.4 per gill net
Average length: 25.6 inches
Average weight: 3.8 pounds
Largest sampled fish: 38 inches
Size structure is strong:
39% within the protected 22–26 inch slot
44% measured 26 inches or larger
Northern Pike Regulation
Gull Lake follows the North Central Zone pike regulation:
Possession limit: 10 pike
No more than 2 fish over 26 inches
All pike between 22–26 inches must be released
Black Crappie
Crappies were sampled in average numbers.
Survey results:
Trap net catch: 0.9 per net
Average length: 9.3 inches
92% measured at least 8 inches
These results indicate a good population of keeper-sized crappies.
Bluegill
Bluegills were sampled in typical numbers.
Survey results:
Catch rate: 38.4 per trap net
Average length: 4.7 inches
Only 5% measured over 7 inches
Most bluegills in Gull Lake are relatively small.
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch serve as an important forage species.
Survey findings include:
Catch rate: 5.6 per gill net
Average length: 6.7 inches
Some fish larger than 8 inches
These perch are a key food source for walleyes and northern pike.
Cisco (Tullibee)
Cisco populations remain healthy.
Survey results:
Catch rate: 2.7 per gill net
Average length: 14.1 inches
Cisco provide an important high-energy forage base for predator fish.
Opener - mid june
Locations
Grassy Point
Dutchman Point
stone boathouse bar
Walleye
Depth Zone: 5–16 ft
Structure: Shallow flats, weed edges, submerged points, and sand/gravel transitions
Tactics:
Slip‑bobber rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in evenings and early mornings—effective in 3–6 ft near rocks/weedlinesÂ
Lindy rigs with shiners, red‑tail chubs, crawlers, or leeches on 6–12 ft flatsÂ
Jigging with minnow or plastics along weed edges and flats.
Trolling after dark with Floating Rapalas or Husky Jerks in 5-8ft near rocks/weedlines
Northern Pike
Depth Zone: 6–12 ft (late spring/shallow); moving deeper (post‑spawn)
Structure: Cabbage/weed flats, shallow depressions, flats north of Gull Point.
Tactics:
Cast or troll spinnerbaits, swimbaits, or red & white spoons along outer weedlines in 6–12 ft .
Jig tipped with sucker minnow fished slowly into cabbage zones north of Gull Point.Â
Largemouth Bass
Depth Zone: 3–10 ft
Structure: Cabbage beds, weed edges, emergent weeds
Tactics:
Jigs or plastic worms pitched into deep weed edges—slow retrieveÂ
Slip‑bobber with crawler or leech in cabbage flat can be very good!
- Topwater can also work very well when the fish are in shallow water.
mid june - end of august
Locations
Bowtie Bar
cinosam flats
squaw point flats
 Walleye
Depth:
12–20 ft on flats, weed edges, breaks
20–29 ft on sand/gravel humps and wind-blown structure.
Tactics:
Slip‑bobber with leeches or crawlers pitched to schools near weedlines—re‑casting every 2 minutes.
Jigging Raps and Smithwick Rogue Perfect 10 jerkbaits for flats and edges.
Longline trolling Floating Raps and Husky Jerks after sunset in 7–12 ft.
Elite Spots:
Brassier Bar, Bowtie Bar, & Squaw Point Flats – 14–18 ft just outside weedlines; peak when wind concentrates forage.
Cinosam Flats ridge – approx. 15 ft hump; effective with Lindy rig/redtail chub.
Bowtie/Tower Bar – look to the edges of the weedlines and subtle nuances of the weeds.
 Northern Pike
Depth:
12–22 ft on.
In deeper summer spots (22–26 ft) off main-lake flats chasing ciscoes .
Tactics:
Jig + sucker minnow, spinnerbaits, Smithwick Rogue jerkbaits, and swimbaits pulled over weedlines
Trolling crankbaits near deep breaks during the heat.
 Largemouth Bass
Depth:
6-16 ft near weed edges and outer flats; shallow in early, deeper as water warms .
Tactics:
Crankbaits (4–6 ft diving) burned along outer weed edges – guides target these in warm mid-summer months .
Jigs, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, topwater lures around cabbage beds and rocky flats .
september - november
Locations
center bar
rocky island
rocky point
Walleye (Fall Feed Phase)
Depth Zones: 22–42 ft (main-lake flats, break lines, windblown edges)
Behavior:
Walleyes switch to a fall feeding mode, targeting migrating ciscoes and other baitfish.
Tactics and Bait:
Lindy rig with live chubs (e.g. creek chub, red-tail chub) fished 6–12 in off the bottom in 32–42 ft, especially along wind-exposed points/edges.
Jigging Raps, Floating Raps, and Lindy with chub minnow effective in 22–32 ft area.
Trolling shallow (6–8 ft) with Floating Raps or crankbaits during low light periods also effective over shallow weed flats.
Northern Pike
Depth Zones: 8–16 ft (weed edges), deeper during October
Tactics:
Spinnerbaits, spoons, jerkbaits and swim-baits worked along weed edges and cabbage beds in 8–16 ft .
Troll/swim-baits or crankbaits around points and weedline drop-offs .
Largemouth Bass
Depth Zones: 10–14 ft (outer weeds & flats)
Tactics:
Jig + plastic worm, spinnerbaits, and topwaters near cabbage beds or transition zones (10–14 ft).
Shallow weed flats can still hold bass, but many feed slightly deeper as water cools.
Notable Locations for Walleyes
Wind‑blown flats & points in 32–42 ft: holding migrating baitfish—use Lindy rigs & chubs.
Deep breaks adjacent to cabbage/weeds (22–32 ft): trolling or jigging presentations.
Shallow flats (6–8 ft) during dawn/dusk: Floating Raps and crankbaits produce in low light .
Pro Tips for Fall
Wind direction matters: focus effort on windward flats with active baitfish—walleyes concentrate there .
Day length & light cycles: low-light periods are prime for shallow trolling; mid-day fish deeper.
Match bait size: fall baitfish are mid-large size—use appropriately sized chubs or minnows.
FAQ’s
When Is The Best Time To Fish Gull Lake?
A. Gull Lake can be great at any time of the season, the best times are May and Early June and then again in October.
What Species Could I Catch a Trophy Fish Of In Gull Lake?
A. Gull Lake has trophy sized fish of every species
Why Should I Hire The Fish Guyd Guide Service?
A. Captain Nick Retka, owner of The Fish Guyd Guide Service, strives to give you the best possible fishing experience by putting you on as many fish possible, the biggest fish possible, all while making the
How Do I Book A Guided Fishing Trip With The Fish Guyd Guide Service?
A. Below is a link that will take you directly to the availiblilty calendar for The Fish Guyd Guide Service