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332-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1939, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map). What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Drawn out, this is 332 acres of water rimmed by 5 miles of bank. Index 1.9 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. About 70% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Tip to tip the water measures near 2.1 mi with a 0.7-mi widest point. You'll find it in Cook County. For a second option, Bigsby lies 2 mi west.
Spring walleye on Deer Yard hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 15 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled).
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (15 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (15 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (15 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
7 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 20 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Deer Yard specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Deer Yard is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1939, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map).
Anglers target walleye on Deer Yard.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 15 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
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.
Fishing on Deer Yard is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Bigsby 2 mi · Ward 2 mi · Pike 2 mi · Caribou 3 mi · Turtle 3 mi · Mark 4 mi · Mistletoe 5 mi · Holly 5 mi · Christine 6 mi · Williams 7 mi · Wills 7 mi · White Pine 7 mi
See how Deer Yard stacks up: best walleye lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Cook County fishing maps (351 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.