Mission Lake Fishing Tips
The Mission Lake Chain is a two-lake system located near Merrifield in Crow Wing County, just north of the Brainerd Lakes Area in central Minnesota. The chain consists of Upper Mission Lake and Lower Mission Lake, which are connected by a channel allowing fish to move freely between the lakes. Together, the two lakes provide over 1,600 acres of fishable water and support a diverse fishery that includes walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish.
Water clarity across the Mission lakes averages 12–13 feet, and both lakes feature a mix of shallow vegetation, sand flats, and deeper basin areas. The largest lake in the system, Upper Mission Lake, reaches depths of 36 feet, while Lower Mission Lake reaches about 27 feet. These lakes contain extensive weed habitat that supports strong populations of bass, panfish, and northern pike.
The Mission Chain is known locally for quality largemouth bass fishing, abundant northern pike, and consistent walleye opportunities, particularly in Upper Mission where stocking occurs regularly. Because the lakes are connected, fish can move between them, creating a combined fishery that anglers can explore throughout the year.
Resorts Nearby
Cullen Bay Resort
Cullen Lake Resort
Catalina Bay Resort
Birch Bay Resort
Nearby Lakes
North Long Lake
Pelican Lake
Cullen Lake
Round Lake
Whitefish Lake
Edward Lake
Gull LAKE
Hubert Lake
Species We Target
Walleye
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
Mission Lake Chain Fishery Summary
Lower Mission Lake
Lower Mission Lake covers approximately 732 acres and contains 452 acres of littoral habitat, meaning much of the lake is shallow enough to support aquatic vegetation. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 27 feet and has water clarity averaging around 12 feet.
Lower Mission is known for strong northern pike numbers and a healthy largemouth bass fishery, while also supporting bluegill and occasional walleyes that move through the system.
DNR Survey Highlights
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 16.2 per gill net (very abundant)
Average length: 21.2 inches
21% of fish were 24 inches or larger
Largest fish measured 38.7 inches
Ten fish measured over 30 inches
The same 24–36 inch protected slot regulation applies here.
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 57 fish per hour
Average length: 15.1 inches
82% of fish measured 13 inches or larger
Largest bass sampled: 19.3 inches
This indicates a strong bass population with good size structure.
Walleye
Catch rate: 1.4 per net
Average length: 21.6 inches
All fish sampled were over 16 inches
While numbers are lower than in Upper Mission, anglers occasionally catch quality-sized fish.
Black Crappie
Catch rate: 0.3 per trap net
Catch rate: 0.8 per gill net
Numbers were below average
Bluegill
Catch rate: 25.3 per trap net
Average size: 6.7 inches
59% measured 7 inches or larger
Bluegills provide consistent panfish opportunities.
Upper Mission Lake
Upper Mission Lake is the larger of the two lakes in the system, covering approximately 882 acres with 256 acres of littoral habitat capable of supporting aquatic vegetation. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 36 feet and has water clarity averaging around 12.7 feet.
Upper Mission is the primary walleye stocking lake for the Mission Chain, with fingerlings stocked regularly since 1999. The current management plan calls for stocking 256 pounds of walleye fingerlings in odd-numbered years.
DNR Survey Highlights
Walleye
Catch rate: 3.3 per gill net (average for this lake type)
Average length: 19.4 inches
97% of fish were 12 inches or larger
These results indicate a healthy population of catchable-size walleyes supported by consistent stocking.
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 15.8 per gill net (very abundant)
Average length: 22.2 inches
19% of fish were 24 inches or larger
Upper and Lower Mission lakes have a special regulation for northern pike:
All pike 24–36 inches must be immediately released
One fish over 36 inches may be kept
This regulation is designed to maintain larger pike in the population.
Black Crappie
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net
Catch rate: 0.3 per trap net
67% of fish measured 8 inches or larger
Bluegill
Catch rate: 24.5 per trap net
Average size: 5.8 inches
27% of fish measured 7 inches or larger
Bluegills provide consistent panfish opportunities for anglers throughout the lake.
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing on the Mission Chain begins shortly after ice-out as fish move shallow to feed in warming water. Shallow bays and shoreline areas warm quickly and attract both predator fish and baitfish.
Best Spring Areas
Wind-blown shorelines
Shallow sand flats
Emerging weed beds
Channel areas connecting the lakes
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows along shallow breaks
Slip bobber fishing along early weed edges
Casting shallow crankbaits along shoreline structure
Recommended Lures
1/8–1/4 oz jigs tipped with fathead minnows
Shallow crankbaits
Slip bobbers with leeches
Northern pike fishing can be especially productive during spring as fish move shallow after spawning.
Trophy Largemouth Bass
on Mission Lake
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish often relate to weedlines and deeper structure as water temperatures rise.
Best Summer Areas
Weed edges in 10–15 feet
Points and flats near deeper water
Cabbage weed beds
Basin edges holding baitfish
Summer Techniques
Pitching soft plastics into weeds for bass
Slow trolling spinner rigs along structure
Live bait rigging along breaklines
Recommended Lures
Texas-rigged plastics
Lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches
Spinner harnesses
Ned rigs and wacky rigs
Bluegills often concentrate along weed edges during summer and can be caught using small jigs or worms under a bobber.
Big Walleyes
on Mission lake
Fall Fishing
(Water Temps: 40–60°F)
Fall fishing improves as water temperatures drop and predator fish feed heavily before winter.
Best Fall Areas
Remaining weed beds
Rock points and shoreline structure
Breaklines near deeper water
Fall Techniques
Jigging large minnows along weed edges
Casting crankbaits along rocky structure
Slow trolling deeper breaklines
Recommended Lures
Jig and minnow combinations
Blade baits
Deep diving crankbaits
Suspending jerkbaits
Northern pike fishing can be excellent during fall as larger fish become more aggressive.
Kid with
Big Smallmouth Bass
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
Ice fishing on the Mission Chain provides good opportunities for pike, panfish, and occasional walleyes.
Best Winter Areas
Weedlines in 8–15 feet
Basin edges near deeper water
Remaining vegetation beds
Winter Techniques
Tip-ups set along weed edges for pike
Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads
Small tungsten jigs for panfish
Recommended Ice Lures
Jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Bluegills often remain active along weed edges through early and midwinter.
Big Northern Pike
Trophy Mission 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!