Whitefish Lake Chain
Fishing Tips
Whitefish Lake and the surrounding Whitefish Chain of Lakes offer anglers exceptional fishing opportunities for walleyes, northern pike, bass, and panfish. The size and structure diversity of the lake create excellent fishing throughout the open-water and ice fishing seasons.
Anglers looking to learn the lake quickly or improve their chances of success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which specializes in guiding anglers on lakes throughout the Brainerd, Crosslake, and Pequot Lakes region.
Resorts Nearby
Boyd Lodge
Kavanaugh's Resort
Whitefish Lodge & Suites
Pine Peaks Lodge & Suites
Nearby Lakes
North Long Lake
Pelican Lake
Mission Lake
Round Lake
Cullen Lake
Edward Lake
Gull LAKE
Hubert Lake
Species We Target
Walleye
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
Whitefish Lake Chain Fishery Summary
Whitefish Lake is the largest lake within the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, located near Crosslake and Pequot Lakes in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes Area. The lake covers approximately 7,714 acres and features 2,713 acres of littoral habitat, creating extensive shallow areas capable of supporting aquatic vegetation and important fish habitat.
Whitefish Lake reaches depths of up to 138 feet, making it one of the deeper lakes in the region. Water clarity averages around 11–12 feet, and the lake contains a mix of sand flats, rock structure, mid-lake humps, and weed beds that support a diverse fishery.
Whitefish Lake plays an important role in Minnesota’s fisheries management. The lake is home to a major Minnesota DNR walleye egg collection station located where the Pine River enters Upper Whitefish Lake. Each year, eggs collected from spawning walleyes are used for stocking programs, and at least 5 million walleye fry are returned to the lake annually, along with periodic fingerling stockings in even-numbered years.
Because of its size and habitat diversity, Whitefish Lake supports a wide variety of species including walleye, northern pike, bass, crappie, bluegill, tullibee, lake whitefish, and yellow perch.
Whitefish Lake Chain Survery Information
Walleye
Whitefish Lake receives annual stockings of at least 5 million walleye fry, with additional fingerling stockings occurring in even-numbered years.
Survey results showed:
Catch rate: 4.3 walleyes per gill net
Average length: 14.5 inches
33% measured 14 inches or larger
Fish over 28 inches were present
Most walleyes sampled (77%) came from the 2022 year class, showing successful recruitment.
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net
Average length: 23.6 inches
22% measured 26 inches or larger
Fish over 30 inches were present
Whitefish Lake falls under the north-central pike zone regulations:
All pike 22–26 inches must be released
Harvest of smaller fish is encouraged
Releasing pike over 26 inches helps maintain quality fish
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing across the Whitefish Chain showed:
Catch rate: 44.9 fish per hour
Average length: 13.1 inches
65% measured over 12 inches
Fish up to 19.2 inches
Smallmouth Bass
Three fish sampled during surveys
All were over 16 inches
While numbers are lower, smallmouth present in the chain tend to be quality-sized fish.
Black Crappie
Fish up to 12.1 inches
40% measured 9 inches or larger
The Whitefish Chain has a special panfish regulation:
Daily limit of 5 crappies
Daily limit of 5 sunfish
This regulation helps maintain larger panfish populations.
Bluegill
Generally smaller in trap net samples
Only 5% measured 7 inches or larger
Gill net surveys indicated fish over 9 inches were present
Growth rates are good, with fish averaging nearly 8 inches by age six
Tullibee (Cisco)
Catch rate: 1.5 per net
Average length: 10.6 inches
Lake Whitefish
Catch rate: 0.5 per net
Size range: 7.0–21.1 inches
Yellow Perch
Catch rate: 24.1 per net
Largest fish sampled: 12.1 inches
Only 11% were 8 inches or larger
Perch are an important forage species supporting the walleye and northern pike populations.
Whitefish Lake Chain Fishing Tips
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing begins shortly after ice-out as walleyes and other species move shallow to spawn and feed.
Best Spring Areas
Shoreline sand and gravel areas
Wind-blown points
River inflow areas such as the Pine River
Shallow bays warming in the sun
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows along shoreline breaks
Slip bobber fishing near emerging vegetation
Casting shallow crankbaits along rocky points
Recommended Lures
1/8–1/4 oz jigs tipped with shiner minnows
Shallow crankbaits
Slip bobbers with leeches
Walleyes are often most active during low-light periods in the spring.
Eater Walleyes
on Whitefish Lake
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish often relate to deeper structure and baitfish schools.
Best Summer Areas
Mid-lake humps
Deep rock points
Basin edges
Weedlines in 10–20 feet
Summer Techniques
Live bait rigging along deep breaks
Spinner rigs trolled along structure
Casting plastics or jerkbaits for bass
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches
Spinner harnesses
Ned rigs or drop-shot rigs
Deep diving crankbaits
The presence of tullibee often attracts predator fish to deeper areas of the lake.
Big Walleyes
on Whitefish lake
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 reefs
Basin edges near baitfish schools
Remaining weed beds
Fall Techniques
Jigging large minnows along breaklines
Casting crankbaits along rocky structure
Vertical jigging deep structure
Recommended Lures
Jig and minnow combinations
Blade baits
Deep diving crankbaits
Suspending jerkbaits
Large walleyes are often caught during fall as fish move shallower to feed.
Big
Northern Pike
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
Ice fishing on the Whitefish Chain offers opportunities for walleyes, pike, and panfish.
Best Winter Areas
Deep basin edges
Suspended crappies over deeper water
Mid-lake structure and reefs
Winter Techniques
Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads
Deadstick rods with live minnows
Tip-ups set for northern pike
Recommended Ice Lures
Jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Many anglers target walleyes on evening bites near structure during winter.
Big Northern Pike
Trophy Whitefish 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!