Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Barge Lake

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 5 to 18 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 5 to 18 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 15 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Barge Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 18 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 8 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Barge Lake

In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 5 to 18 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Barge Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 18 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at Barge Lake

Spring rock bass on Barge Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 18 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 18 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for summer rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.

Burbot fishing at Barge Lake

Start shallow in spring: burbot sit in 5 to 18 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 5 to 18 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 15 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and midday. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.

How deep is Barge Lake?

Barge Lake is about 18 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Barge Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, burbot, rock bass, cisco (lake herring) on Barge Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Barge Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 15 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Barge Lake?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.