Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Deer Lake

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 7 to 28 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 8 to 28 ft, and winter fish hold in 8 to 28 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 24 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Deer Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 28 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 28 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 13 ft that scores prime in fall. 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.

Yellow Perch fishing at Deer Lake

In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 28 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 28 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. 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.

Northern Pike fishing at Deer Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Deer Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 28 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 28 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Pumpkinseed fishing at Deer Lake

Spring pumpkinseed on Deer Lake hold shallow, usually 1 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 2 to 10 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 18 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring pumpkinseed. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) covers the summer program.

How deep is Deer Lake?

Deer Lake is about 28 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 Deer Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, burbot, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Deer Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Deer Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 24 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 Deer 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.