Round Lake Fishing Tips
Round Lake provides anglers with opportunities to catch stocked walleyes, large northern pike, bass, and panfish within minutes of Nisswa and the Brainerd Lakes Area. Its combination of shallow vegetation and deeper structure makes it productive throughout the open-water and ice fishing seasons.
Anglers looking to learn the lake quickly or improve their success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which specializes in fishing lakes throughout the Brainerd and Nisswa region.
Resorts Nearby
Good Ol’ Days Resort
Round Lake Resort
Grand View Lodge
Nearby Lakes
North Long Lake
Pelican Lake
Mission Lake
Cullen Lake
Whitefish Lake
Edward Lake
Gull LAKE
Hubert Lake
Species We Target
Walleye
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
Round Lake Fishery Summary
Round Lake is a large and popular fishery located just south of Nisswa in Crow Wing County, in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes Area. The lake covers approximately 1,650 acres and features 627 acres of littoral habitat, meaning a significant portion of the lake is shallow enough to support aquatic vegetation. Round Lake reaches a maximum depth of 51 feet and has generally good water clarity, with measurements around 14 feet or more depending on conditions.
Despite heavy shoreline development, Round Lake still maintains extensive beds of emergent vegetation such as bulrush, which play an important role in maintaining water quality and providing important spawning and nursery habitat for fish. These vegetation beds also offer cover for panfish and predator species throughout the year.
Round Lake supports a diverse fish community including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. The lake receives annual walleye fry stockings, helping maintain a consistent walleye population for anglers.
Round Lake is also designated as AIS infested waters due to zebra mussels, so anglers and boaters are required to follow Minnesota DNR regulations regarding boat inspections, draining water from watercraft, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Round Lake Survey Information
Walleye
Round Lake receives annual stockings of approximately 627,000 walleye fry, helping support the fishery.
Additional stocking events have included:
607 pounds (13,890 fingerlings) in 2018
714 pounds (8,094 fingerlings and yearlings) in 2014
Survey results showed:
Catch rate: 5.5 walleyes per gill net
Average length: 16.1 inches
93% of fish measured at least 12 inches
These results indicate a healthy stocked walleye population.
Northern Pike
Northern pike on Round Lake have had a 30-inch minimum size limit since 2003.
Survey results:
Catch rate: 5.9 per gill net
Average length: 26.0 inches
15% of fish measured 30 inches or larger
This regulation helps maintain opportunities for anglers to catch larger northern pike.
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 11.4 fish per hour
Average length: 13.1 inches
Smallmouth Bass
Six fish sampled
Average size: 15.4 inches
Although smallmouth numbers are lower, the fish present tend to be quality-sized.
Bluegill
Catch rate: 20.4 per trap net
Average size: 4.9 inches
12% of fish measured 7 inches or larger
Yellow Perch
Catch rate: 21.5 per gill net
Average size: 6.6 inches
Largest fish sampled measured 10.4 inches
Yellow perch are an important forage base for predator fish in Round Lake.
Round Lake Fishing Tips
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing on Round Lake begins shortly after ice-out as fish move shallow to feed in warming water. Vegetation beds and wind-blown shorelines can attract both baitfish and predator species.
Best Spring Areas
Wind-blown shorelines
Shallow sand flats
Bulrush vegetation beds
Shallow bays warming in the sun
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows along shallow breaks
Slip bobber fishing along emerging vegetation
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 early spring as fish move shallow after spawning.
Trophy Smallmouth
on Round Lake
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish often relate to deeper structure and weed edges as water temperatures rise.
Best Summer Areas
Weed edges in 10–18 feet
Points and shallow flats near deeper water
Mid-lake humps
Basin edges holding baitfish
Summer Techniques
Live bait rigging for walleyes along breaklines
Pitching soft plastics into vegetation for bass
Slow trolling spinner rigs along structure
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches
Spinner harnesses
Texas-rigged plastics
Ned rigs or drop-shot rigs
Bluegills often concentrate along vegetation edges during summer and can be caught using small jigs or worms under a bobber.
Big Walleyes
on Round lake
Fall Fishing
(Water Temps: 40–60°F)
Fall can provide excellent fishing as predator fish feed aggressively before winter.
Best Fall Areas
Rock points and shoreline structure
Basin edges near baitfish schools
Remaining weed beds
Fall Techniques
Jigging large minnows along breaklines
Casting crankbaits along rocky shorelines
Vertical jigging in deeper water
Recommended Lures
Jig and minnow combinations
Blade baits
Deep diving crankbaits
Suspending jerkbaits
Northern pike fishing can be especially productive during fall as larger fish become more active.
Round Lake
Big Walleye
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
Round Lake offers winter fishing opportunities for walleyes, northern pike, and panfish.
Best Winter Areas
Basin edges in deeper water
Suspended crappies and panfish over deeper basins
Weedlines in 10–15 feet
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
Perch and panfish can sometimes be found suspended over deeper water during midwinter.
Big Northern Pike
Trophy Round 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!