Fishing on White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake supports a diverse fish population and is one of the more productive fishing lakes in the Twin Cities metro. At 2,400 acres with a maximum depth of around 80 feet, the lake offers excellent habitat diversity — from shallow weed beds to deep basins.
What You Will Catch
Walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass are the primary game fish. Panfish including crappie, bluegill, and perch round out the picture. The wide, shallow bays produce some of the best panfish action in the metro, while the deeper sections hold quality walleye and pike.
Seasonal Patterns
Spring walleye fishing can be excellent as fish move shallow. Summer brings bass fishing opportunities in the weed beds. Fall is prime time for trophy-sized fish as they feed aggressively before winter. And ice fishing on White Bear Lake is hugely popular — the wide, shallow bays are especially productive for panfish through the ice.
For more on seasonal fishing patterns, see our fishing guide and ice fishing guide.