Lake Trout fishing at Cold Lake

Spring lake trout on Cold Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. By summer they slide out to 50 to 120 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 80 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Offshore hump: a offshore hump around 26 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.

Walleye fishing at Cold Lake

Spring walleye on Cold Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Medley River inflow, a inflow / creek mouth in about 13 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Cold Lake

Spring northern pike on Cold Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. Weed flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Cold Lake

In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Weed flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Lake Whitefish fishing at Cold Lake

In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. By summer they slide out to 40 to 90 ft, and by winter most fish are in 25 to 70 ft. Offshore hump is the standout, a offshore hump at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for winter lake whitefish. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.

Burbot fishing at Cold Lake

Start shallow in spring: burbot sit in 25 to 70 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 50 to 120 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 60 ft. Offshore hump is the standout, a offshore hump at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for winter burbot. Best bite is after dark and midday. Tie on a heavy jig + cut bait and you're in the game.

How deep is Cold Lake?

Cold Lake is about 325 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 Cold Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, lake whitefish, burbot on Cold Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Cold Lake?

Medley River inflow is the top-rated area: a inflow / creek mouth in about 13 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Cold Lake?

For lake trout, 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.