Biggest inland lakes in Minnesota: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Red Lake

Red Lake covers 282,000 acres of water. You will find it right by Redby. Walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and bluegill are the draw. It goes down to about 35 ft.

Red Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Mille Lacs

At 132,000 acres, Lake Mille Lacs is a huge piece of water. Walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie and yellow perch are the draw. It goes down to about 42 ft. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake Mille Lacs today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Leech Lake

Leech Lake spreads over 103,000 acres of water. Walleye, muskie, northern pike and yellow perch are the draw. It goes down to about 156 ft. Its bed shows three steep ledges and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Leech Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Winnibigoshish

Lake Winnibigoshish covers some 56,500 acres. The lake is about 23 miles southeast of Cohasset. Like most lakes its size in Minnesota, it should hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and yellow perch. It goes down to about 70 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Lake Winnibigoshish is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Mississippi Headwaters Reservoir system.

Lake Winnibigoshish today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Vermilion

Lake Vermilion covers some 39,300 acres. It holds walleye, muskie, northern pike and smallmouth bass. At about 76 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Lake Vermilion today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lac la Croix

Lac la Croix is a natural lake of about 28,600 acres. It lies about 24 miles southeast of Ely. The usual Minnesota mix applies: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Lac la Croix straddles the Canada-U.S. border, with its Minnesota shore part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its Ontario shore part of Quetico Provincial Park.

Lac la Croix today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Namakan Lake

Namakan Lake covers 25,100 acres. It lies near International Falls. The usual Minnesota mix applies: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 150 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Namakan Lake straddles the U.S.-Canada border and forms part of Voyageurs National Park's chain of large lakes.

Namakan Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Cass Lake

Cass Lake covers 16,000 acres of water. The lake is about 12 miles west of Bemidji. It holds walleye, northern pike, muskie and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 120 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Cass Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Minnetonka

Lake Minnetonka covers 14,500 acres of water. Expect largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike and bluegill. It goes down to about 113 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Minnetonka today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Otter Tail Lake

Otter Tail Lake spreads over some 13,700 acres. The lake is about 61 miles northwest of Fargo. The fish here are walleye and northern pike. It goes down to about 120 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Otter Tail Lake ranks as the tenth-largest lake located entirely within Minnesota.

Otter Tail Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.