Walleye fishing at Chief Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Chief Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 2 to 9 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 2 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Chief Lake

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 2 to 9 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. The spot to know is Secondary point, a point in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Chief Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 9 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 2 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Rock Bass fishing at Chief Lake

Spring rock bass on Chief Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 2 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.

White Perch fishing at Chief Lake

In spring, white perch run shallow here, mostly 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 9 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A small spinner rig drifted or a 1/8 oz jigging spoon covers the summer program.

How deep is Chief Lake?

Chief Lake is about 9 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.

What fish are in Chief Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, freshwater drum, common carp, rock bass, white perch, pumpkinseed on Chief Lake. This isn't a survey of the lake — none is on record for it — but an informed estimate from the species listed for the nearest surveyed lakes in the region, filtered to this lake's depth and habitat.

Where is the best fishing spot on Chief Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Chief Lake?

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