Roosevelt Lake Fishing Tips
Roosevelt Lake offers anglers opportunities to catch muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, bass, and panfish in a scenic north-central Minnesota setting.
Anglers looking to learn the lake or improve their chances of success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which guides anglers throughout the Brainerd Lakes region and surrounding waters.
Resorts Nearby
Roosevelt Lake Resort
Land O’Lakes Lodge
Pine Peaks Lodge & Suites
Nearby Lakes
Rabbit Lake
Pelican Lake
Mission Lake
Cross Lake
Whitefish Lake
Edward Lake
Serpent LAKE
Ruth Lake
Species We Target
Musky
Walleye
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
Roosevelt Lake Fishery Summary
Roosevelt Lake is a large, deep lake located near Outing in Cass County, just north of the Brainerd Lakes region. The lake covers approximately 1,511 acres and features 390 acres of littoral habitat, providing important spawning and feeding areas for many fish species.
Roosevelt Lake reaches a maximum depth of 129 feet, with about 25% of the lake 15 feet deep or less. Water clarity typically averages around 11 feet, creating ideal conditions for both shallow vegetation and deep-water structure.
A Minnesota DNR public access is located on the east side of the lake about one mile south of Outing along Highway 6, making the lake easily accessible for anglers and recreational boaters.
Roosevelt Lake is particularly well known for its muskellunge fishery, which has been actively managed by the Minnesota DNR since 2011. In addition to muskies, anglers can target northern pike, walleye, bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Roosevelt Lake Survery Information
Muskellunge
Muskellunge are the primary managed species in Roosevelt Lake.
First introduced in 2011
Regular stocking began in 2012
Stocking rate: 1 fish per littoral acre every even year
Approximately 390 fingerlings stocked each cycle
A spring trap net survey captured 13 muskellunge, ranging in size from:
34 inches to 52 inches
These results confirm Roosevelt Lake’s growing reputation as a quality muskie lake with trophy potential.
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 4.2 per gill net
Average length: 24.9 inches
38% of fish measured 26 inches or larger
Fish over 35 inches were sampled
Roosevelt falls within Minnesota’s North Central Zone northern pike regulations:
Possession limit of 10 pike
No more than 2 over 26 inches
All fish between 22–26 inches must be released
Walleye
Despite regular stocking efforts, walleye numbers remain relatively low.
Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net
Average length: 19.4 inches
Largest sampled fish: 29.4 inches
Although catch rates may be lower, anglers have the opportunity to catch large, quality walleyes.
Bass
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 46.8 fish per hour
Average length: 11.9 inches
Smallmouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 8.6 fish per hour
Average length: 16.1 inches
Fish over 19 inches were sampled
Smallmouth bass are not extremely abundant but larger fish are present.
Black Crappie
Black crappie were sampled in moderate numbers.
25% of fish measured over 9 inches
Growth rates appeared somewhat slow
Bluegill
Bluegills were sampled in average numbers, but size tends to be smaller.
Only 7% of fish measured 7 inches or larger
Cisco (Tullibee)
Catch rate: 3.5 per gill net
Average length: 9.9 inches
Cisco are an important forage species supporting predators such as muskellunge, northern pike, and walleye.
Roosevelt Lake Fishing Tips
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing begins shortly after ice-out when fish move shallow to feed and spawn.
Best Spring Areas
Wind-blown shorelines
Shallow gravel or sand flats
Bays warming quickly in the sun
Rock points near spawning areas
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows for walleyes
Casting jerkbaits for northern pike
Targeting shallow structure for bass
Recommended Lures
1/8–1/4 oz jigs with fathead minnows
Suspending jerkbaits
Shallow crankbaits
Spinnerbaits
Trophy Largemouth Bass
on Roosevelt Lake
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish often move deeper and relate to structure and baitfish.
Best Summer Areas
Deep rock points
Offshore humps
Basin edges near deep water
Weed edges in 10–18 feet
Summer Techniques
Live bait rigging along breaklines for walleyes
Casting large bucktails or rubber baits for muskies
Pitching plastics for bass
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches
Bucktails and large muskie swimbaits
Texas-rigged plastics
Ned rigs or drop-shot rigs
Roosevelt Lake is especially popular with anglers targeting muskies during summer months.
Eater Walleyes
on Roosevelt lake
Fall Fishing
(Water Temps: 40–60°F)
Fall fishing can be outstanding as predator fish feed heavily before winter.
Best Fall Areas
Rock points and steep breaks
Basin edges holding baitfish
Transition areas between shallow and deep water
Fall Techniques
Jigging large minnows along deep breaks
Casting crankbaits along rocky shorelines
Slow trolling large muskie lures
Recommended Lures
Jig and large minnow combinations
Deep diving crankbaits
Blade baits
Large rubber muskie baits
Client with
Big Walleye
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
Roosevelt Lake offers winter fishing opportunities for several species.
Best Winter Areas
Deep basin edges for walleyes
Suspended crappies over deep water
Weed edges for northern pike
Winter Techniques
Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads
Deadstick rods with live minnows
Tip-ups set along weed edges
Recommended Ice Lures
Jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Big Largemouth Bass
Trophy Roosevelt 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!